November 22, 1780.
Dear Sir:
Some time last fall, when I spoke to your Excellency about going to
the southward, I explained to you candidly my feelings with respect to
military reputation; and how much it was my object to act a conspicuous
part in some enterprise, that might perhaps raise my character as a
soldier above mediocrity. You were so good as to say, you would be glad
to furnish me with an occasion. When the expedition to Staten Island
was afoot, a favorable one seemed to offer. There was a battalion
without a field officer, the command of which, I thought, as it
was accidental, might be given to me without inconvenience. I made
an application for it through the Marquis, who informed me of your
refusal on two principles: one, that the giving me a whole battalion
might be a subject of dissatisfaction; the other, that if any accident
should happen to me in the present state of your family, you would be
embarrassed for the necessary assistance.
The project you now have in contemplation affords another opportunity.
I have a variety of reasons, that press me to desire ardently to have
it in my power to improve it. I take the liberty to observe, that
the command may now be proportioned to my rank; and that the second
objection ceases to operate, as, during the period of establishing
our winter quarters, there will be a suspension of material business:
besides which, my peculiar situation will, in any case, call me away
from the army in a few days, and Mr. Harrison may be expected back
early next month. My command may consist of one hundred and fifty or
two hundred men, composed of fifty men of Major Gibbes’ corps, fifty
from Colonel Meigs’ regiment, and fifty or a hundred more from the
light infantry: Major Gibbes to be my Major. The hundred men from here
may move on Friday morning towards ----, which will strengthen the
appearances for Staten Island, to form a junction on the other side of
the Passaic. I suggest this mode to avoid the complaints that might
arise from composing my party wholly of the Light Infantry, which might
give umbrage to the officers of that corps, who, on this plan, can have
no just subject for it.
The primary idea may be, if circumstances permit, to attempt with my
detachment Bayard’s Hill. Should we arrive early enough to undertake
it, I should prefer it to any thing else, both for the brilliancy
of the attempt in itself, and the decisive consequence of which its
success would be productive. If we arrive too late to make this
eligible (as there is reason to apprehend), my corps may form the van
of one of the other attacks, and Bayard’s Hill will be a pretext for
my being employed in the affair, on a supposition of my knowing the
ground, which is partly true. I flatter myself, also, that my military
character stands so well in the army, as to reconcile the officers, in
general, to the measure. All circumstances considered, I venture to
say, any exceptions which might be taken, would be unreasonable.
I take this method of making the request, to avoid the embarrassment
of a personal explanation. I shall only add, that however much I have
the matter at heart, I wish your Excellency entirely to consult your
own inclination, and not, from a disposition to oblige me, to do any
thing that may be disagreeable to you. It will, nevertheless, make me
singularly happy if your wishes correspond with mine.