Bethlehem, Orange County,
State of New York, 20 January, 1777.
This morning we crossed the North River, at Poughkeepsie, on the ice,
after having ridden many miles on the east side of it, to find a proper
place. We landed in New Marlborough, and passed through that and
Newborough, to New Windsor, where we dined. This place is nearly
opposite to Fishkill, and but little above the Highlands, where Fort
Constitution and Fort Montgomery stand. The Highlands are a grand sight,
a range of vast mountains which seem to be rolling like a tumbling sea.
From New Windsor we came to this place, where we put up, and now we have
a free and uninterrupted passage in a good road to Pennsylvania.
General Washington, with his little army, is at Morristown. Cornwallis,
with his larger one, at Brunswick. Oh, that the Continental army was
full! Now is the time!
My little horse holds out finely, although we have lost much time, and
travelled a great deal of unnecessary way, to get over the North River.
We have reports of our people's taking Fort Washington again, and taking
four hundred more prisoners and six more pieces of cannon. But as I know
not the persons who bring these accounts, I pay no attention to them.