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WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Letter signed ("G: Washington") as Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army, to Brigadier General David Forman, IN THE HAND OF JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JR., "Head Quarters Dobbs Ferry," [New York], 31 July 1781. 1 1/4 pages, folio, 291 x 190mm. (11 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.), silked, browned, several tiny fold holes catching a few letters.
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WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Letter signed ("G: Washington") as Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army, to Brigadier General David Forman, IN THE HAND OF JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JR., "Head Quarters Dobbs Ferry," [New York], 31 July 1781. 1 1/4 pages, folio, 291 x 190mm. (11 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.), silked, browned, several tiny fold holes catching a few letters.
WASHINGTON TO HIS NEW JERSEY SPYMASTER
Washington reveals his great anxiety to be kept informed of British naval movements along the Jersey coast, intelligence which was supposed to be relayed to him by a chain of expresses maintained by Forman. Washington was planning a decisive American-French military action, to be coordinated with naval support from a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse, but it was not known if he would make for the coast near New York or the Chesapeake (as in the end he did, making possible the masterstroke at Yorktown). Washington was also fearful that Cornwallis and his army might return north from the Carolinas and to threaten American positions on the Hudson: "I have requested Capt Dobbs to assemble at Capt Dennis's at Baskenridge as soon as possible a number of Pilots, who are to receive their further Instructions from you. Immediately upon the Appearance of a Fleet near Sandy Hook, if you are satisfied it is the One we are expecting, you will please to give orders to the Pilots to repair down where they may be at Hand to be improved as Occasion and Circumstances shall require. I am very fearfull that you have met with more Trouble in Establishing the Chain of Expresses than you expected, as I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you...And I am informed from N[ew] York that a fleet with part of the Army of Cornwallis from Virginia, arrived at that Place last Friday. My Anxiety to be early & well informed of the Enemys Movements by Water, induces me to wish to hear from you as often & as speedily as any material Circumstances renders it necessary..." Forman had served at Germantown and Monmouth, but was primarily charged with "the suppression of the...robbers and armed Loyalist refugees of the Jersey coast," and with intelligence gathering. He was known by the Loyalists as "Devil David" for "his harsh treatment of the disaffected" (DAB). Published in Writings of Washington, 22:440.
WASHINGTON TO HIS NEW JERSEY SPYMASTER
Washington reveals his great anxiety to be kept informed of British naval movements along the Jersey coast, intelligence which was supposed to be relayed to him by a chain of expresses maintained by Forman. Washington was planning a decisive American-French military action, to be coordinated with naval support from a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse, but it was not known if he would make for the coast near New York or the Chesapeake (as in the end he did, making possible the masterstroke at Yorktown). Washington was also fearful that Cornwallis and his army might return north from the Carolinas and to threaten American positions on the Hudson: "I have requested Capt Dobbs to assemble at Capt Dennis's at Baskenridge as soon as possible a number of Pilots, who are to receive their further Instructions from you. Immediately upon the Appearance of a Fleet near Sandy Hook, if you are satisfied it is the One we are expecting, you will please to give orders to the Pilots to repair down where they may be at Hand to be improved as Occasion and Circumstances shall require. I am very fearfull that you have met with more Trouble in Establishing the Chain of Expresses than you expected, as I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you...And I am informed from N[ew] York that a fleet with part of the Army of Cornwallis from Virginia, arrived at that Place last Friday. My Anxiety to be early & well informed of the Enemys Movements by Water, induces me to wish to hear from you as often & as speedily as any material Circumstances renders it necessary..." Forman had served at Germantown and Monmouth, but was primarily charged with "the suppression of the...robbers and armed Loyalist refugees of the Jersey coast," and with intelligence gathering. He was known by the Loyalists as "Devil David" for "his harsh treatment of the disaffected" (DAB). Published in Writings of Washington, 22:440.