Yorktown, 24 October, 1777.
It is with shame that I recollect that I have not written you more than
two or three letters these five weeks, and those very short. News I am
afraid to write, because I never know, until it is too late, what is
true. From last Sunday to this moment, Friday afternoon, four o'clock,
we have been in a state of tormenting uncertainty concerning our
affairs at the northward. On Sunday we had news from the committee of
Albany, through Governor Clinton and General Washington, of a
capitulation of Burgoyne and his whole army. To this moment we have no
express from Gates nor any authentic confirmation.
Howe has drawn his army into the city, and Washington is at Germantown.
Supplies will be cut off from the British army in a great measure.