To George Washington from Lieutenant John Heard, 18 November 1777
From Lieutenant John Heard
Frankford [Pa.] 18th Novembr [1777] half past 2. P.M.
Sir
I am just now creditably inform’d by Mr Peter,1 direct from the City, that last Night at 11 oclock, a large Body of the Enemy under the command of Cornwallis, march’d to the Neck. Their intentions are to cross over the River below the Fort. Mr Cooper further adds, that this detachment has so much weaken’d them, that, they have not now, in the City, Men sufficient to Man their Lines. I have received various Accts of this, which, tho, in themselves they do not all agree, yet all in this, that a large Number has actually gone off.
Mr2 received this piece of Intelligence from a Sergeant, who supposing him & two or three who were with him, to be well affected to the Royal Army, had communicated this to him. As Capt. Craig is now absent & I now command, I have thought proper to send this. I have the honor to be your Excellencys mo. hume Servt
John Heard
ALS, DLC:GW. The cover indicates this letter was sent “Express by a Dragoon.”
1. At this point in the text Heard struck out the name “Cooper.” Peter Cooper, a cordwainer who lived on Race (or Sassafras) Street in Philadelphia, was a member of the 3d Regiment of Philadelphia associated militia.
2. Heard struck out the name “Cooper” after the word “Mr.”