September 18, 1777, 9 o’clock at night.
Sir:
I did myself the honor to write you a hasty line this evening, giving
it as my opinion, that the city was no longer a place of safety for
you. I write you again, lest that letter should not get to hand. The
enemy are on the road to Swedes Ford, the main body about four miles
from it. They sent a party this evening to Daviser’s ferry, which
fired upon me and some others in crossing it, killed one man, wounded
another, and disabled my horse.
They came on so suddenly, that one boat was left adrift on the other
side, which will of course fall into their hands; and, by the help of
that, they will get possession of another, which was abandoned by those
who had the direction of it, and left afloat, in spite of every thing
that I could do to the contrary. These two boats will convey fifty men
across at a time, so that in a few hours they may throw over a large
party, perhaps sufficient to overmatch the militia who may be between
them and the city. This renders the situation of Congress extremely
precarious, if they are not on their guard: my apprehensions for them
are great, though it is not improbable they may not be realized. The
most cogent reasons oblige me to join the army this night, or I should
have waited upon you myself. I am in hopes our army will be up with the
enemy before they pass Schuylkill: if they are, something serious will
ensue.
I have the honor to be,
With much respect,
Sir, your most obedient,
A. Hamilton.