West Point, October 21, 1779.
Gentlemen:
In my letters of the tenth and eighteenth, I transmitted all the
intelligence I had obtained respecting the enemy, from the time of
your departure to those two periods: and by the present conveyance, I
inclose you an extract of a letter from Major-General Gates, of the
15th. By this you will perceive, he was fully persuaded that the enemy
are now preparing to evacuate Rhode Island; and he expected, from his
advices, they would do it on Monday or Tuesday last.
Whether the event has taken place, or not, as yet, is a matter I cannot
determine, having received no information since upon the subject. But
admitting it has not, there is no room to doubt that they have all
things in a condition to do it, on the shortest notice, whenever they
shall think the exigency of their affairs requires it. It is also
equally certain, that they continue to carry on their fortifications
for the defence of New-York with the utmost industry and perseverance;
and appear to be providing for the most obstinate resistance. Indeed,
as their reduction would be attended with the most alarming and fatal
consequences to their nation, nothing else can be reasonably expected.
The moment I hear the troops have left Rhode Island, I will advise you.
The garrisons at Verplanck’s and Stony Points, still remain; but from
the concurring accounts of deserters, the heavy baggage and stores,
except about eighteen or twenty rounds for each cannon, are embarked,
and all matters are putting in train for an evacuation, in case
events make it necessary. The deserters add, as a circumstance of
confirmation, that Sir Henry Clinton was up at the posts about eight
days ago; and that, from that time, they have totally declined carrying
on any works.
Having given you the substance of the intelligence received since my
last, I am led (from the vast magnitude of the object which carried
you from head quarters, and the very interesting consequences it may
involve, all of which I am persuaded will occur to your consideration)
to remark, that the Count’s entering New-York Bay with his fleet,
must be the basis and groundwork of any co-operation that can be
undertaken by us, either for the reduction of the enemy’s whole force,
or the destruction of their shipping only. Every thing will absolutely
depend upon it, in either case; as, without it, and a free and open
communication up and down the rivers, and in the Sound, which cannot
be effected and maintained in any other way, we could not possibly
undertake any operations on Long Island, as our supplies of provisions
and stores could only be obtained by water.
This point, I am certain, would have your due consideration; but it
appearing to me the hinge, the one thing upon which all others must
rest, I could not forbear mentioning it. The circumstance of the
season now, the expenditure of wood, and the necessity of supplying
it, etc., will of course be fully attended to, according to their
importance: and I have only to add, from a desire of preventing a
misconception by either side, if any co-operation is agreed on, that
the terms and conditions may be explicitly understood. And whether it
shall extend to an attempt to reduce the enemy’s whole force, or only
to the destruction of their shipping; your engagements will provide
for the continuance of the Count’s fleet, to secure our retreat, and
the removal of our stores from Long and York Islands, if, unhappily,
it should be found, on experiment, that neither is practicable, and we
should be obliged to abandon the enterprise.
I am, Gentlemen,
With great regard and respect,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.
P. S. 1-4 after three, P. M. Three deserters have just come in, who
left Verplanck’s Point last night. They all corroborate the accounts,
by a detail of circumstances, of the preparations to evacuate both that
and Stony Point. I have no doubt that things will at least be held in
readiness.
G. Washington.
After dispatching the above, I received a letter from Major-General
Heath, of which the following is a copy.
“I now have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that the enemy
have left both Points, having burnt and destroyed their works.”
General Du Portail.
Colonel Hamilton.
Mandeville’s, Oct. 21, 1779. 4 o’clock, P. M.