To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 October 1779
From Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Paramus [N.J.] 28th Octr 1779 3 OClock [P].M.1
Dear General
The only direct Intelligence I have been able to obtain of the motions of the Enemy is Contained in the Enclosed Copy of a letter from Colo. Seely.2
we have a Number of Patrols out—which have not yet Returned—rumour says that General Clinton is Committing Devestation in Monmouth—but not authenticated—a Report also prevailed that a Large body were landed yesterday at Fort Lee—this is without foundation—but the probability is that they are in Monmouth as I am Informed a Considerable Quantity of flour Cattle Sheep &ca have been Collecting there for some time said to be designed for the use of the Count De Estaing, Apropos at 9 OClock this Morning thirteen very heavy Cannon were regularly fired toward Sandy Hook—as this is a Number that the British are not very fond of—may it not be the Count’s Anouncing his Arrival—(but I fear this is rather to be wished than expected).3
Genl Woodford is at Pompton4—but have not heard anything of Genl Sullivan—I impatien[t]ly wait the Return of our patroles—as I am at a loss to determine what measures to pursue until we know the Situation Number’s & Designs of the Enemy.
I shall take post in the Vicinity of Passaick falls5 in the morning unless the Intelligence I may receive between this & that time will render an Other more necessary—the Militia are begining to Collect at Pompton—so that if there should be an Occation I hope we shall be able to meet the Enemy with a Respectable force. Interim I am your Excellency’s most Obt Hume Sert
Anty Wayne
ADfS, PHi: Wayne Papers.
1. Wayne wrote “A.M.” on his draft, but the contents of this letter and related correspondence indicates the later time.
2. The enclosure probably was a copy of Col. Silvanus Seely’s letter to GW written on 27 Oct. (see GW to Seely, 29 Oct., and n.1 to that document). Wayne likely obtained Seely’s letter when he received one from Capt. Robert Porterfield, who served as Brig. Gen. William Woodford’s aide-de-camp. Porterfield’s letter to Wayne, written on this date, 6:00 A.M., reads: “I am directed by Genl. Woodford to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated last night 11 o’clock … he will proceed to Pompton and there wait until he hears further from you. I inclose a copy of a letter from Col. Seely at Eliz. Town which the Gen. would have been glad you had opened. …
“Our troops are now marching” ( 2:1102).
3. GW had proposed an attack on the British in and around New York City after rendezvousing with a French fleet under Vice Admiral d’Estaing. For an overview of GW’s preparations and ideas, which never were fully executed because of d’Estaing’s decision not to sail north after being defeated at Savannah, see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note.
4. Wayne wrote Woodford from Paramus on this date, 10:00 A.M.: “I have detained your horseman in expectation of receiving some accounts from Fort Lee—but the Patrole which went off at 12 o’clock last night has not yet returned—the probability is that the enemy are out in considerable force towards Monmouth—as the boats was returned that route in place of coming back to Perth Amboy.
“I am just going down towards Hackensack and shall return about 3 o’clock.
“Will you and Genl. Muhlenberg do me the favor to dine with me perhaps by that time we may receive such Intelligence movements and numbers of the Enemy as will determine what line of conduct to pursue.
“Inclosed are two letters—the one from his Excellency & the other in consequen[c]e of it—to the Commanding Officer of Militia at Pompton” ( 2:1102).
Wayne again wrote Woodford from Paramus on this date, 7:00 P.M.: “I returned from Hackensack at three OClock & am this moment favored with your’s ⅌ this Dragoon—The Report of the Enemy having landed at Fort Lee yesterday was without foundation—A[t] least they had not effe[c]ted a Landing at 10. OClock this morning.
“I have nothing from below—but wait with no small degree of anxiety for accounts from South Amboy or Monmouth … I am realy much at a loss to determine what to do—to make any movement until some acct arrives of the Situation, Numbers & Designs of the Enemy I am fully of Opinion will be Improper, at the same time—should they have the Destruction of our shore’s in view it will be too late to prevent them, if nothing turns up before two OClock to morrow will you honor me & oblige yourself in the Company of a few Ladies at my Quarters, it is on this Condition they come. … N.B. I have wrote to His Excellency & Enclosed the Copy of Colo. Sellys Letter to you with the Circumstances I have mention’d in this” (NjMoHP).
5. Wayne is referring to the Great Falls of the Passaic River, located in modern Paterson, New Jersey.