Letter George Washington to Continental Congress, December 12, 1776, two same date
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 06
Sir: The apparent designs of the Enemy being to avoid this Ferry, and land their Troops above and below us, have induced me to remove from this place, the greater part of the Troops and throw them into a different Disposition on the River, whereby I hope not only to be more able to impede their passage, but also to avoid the Danger of being inclosed in this Angle of the River. And notwithstanding the extended Appearance of the Enemy on the other Side, made at least in part, to divert our Attention from any particular point, as well as to harrass us by Fatigue, I cannot divest myself of the Opinion that their principal Design is to Ford the River somewhere above Trenton; to which Design I have had particular Respect in the new Arrangement, wherein I am so far happy as to have the Concurrence of all the General Officers at this place.
Four Brigades of the Army under Generals Lord Stirling, Mercer, Stephen and D'Fermoy extend from Yardley's up to Coryel's Ferry, posted in such a Manner as to guard every suspicious part of the River and to afford Assistance to each other, in case of Attack. Genl Ewing with the Flying Camp of Pennsylvania and a few Jersey Troops under General Dickinson, are posted from Yardley's Ferry down to the Ferry opposite Bordentown. Col. Cadwallader with the Pennsylvania Militia occupies the Ground above and below the Mouth of Neshaminy River, as far down as Dunks Ferry, at which place Colonel Nixon is posted with the 3d Battalion of Philadelphia. A proper Quantity of Artillery is appointed to each Brigade, and I have ordered small Redoubts to be thrown up opposite every place where there is a possibility of fording.
I shall remove further up the River to be near the main Body of my small Army, with which every possible Opposition shall be given to any further Approach of the Enemy towards Philadelphia.
As General Armstrong has a good deal of influence in this State and our present force is small and inconsiderable, I think he cannot be better employed than to repair to the Counties where his interest lies to animate the People, promote the recruiting service and encourage the Militia to come in. He will also be able to form a proper Judgement of the places suitable for Magazines of Provision to be collected. I have requested him to wait upon you on this subject, and if General Smallwood should go to Maryland on the same business, I think his presence would have a happy effect. He is popular and of great Interest and I am persuaded would contribute greatly to the State's furnishing her Quota of Men in a little time. He is now in Philadelphia. I have the honor &c. (96)
[Note 96: The letter sent is in the writing of Tench Tilghman and Robert Hanson Harrison. The draft is dated December 12 and was begun by Brig. Gen. John Armstrong, added to by Washington, continued by Tilghman, and finally finished by Harrison. The middle portion of the draft was stricken out in favor of the general description of troop positions in the second paragraph above, but the importance of the Trenton campaign justifies the inclusion of the more detailed and discarded description in the draft. "As I cannot at present farther enter into the various motives of this alteration, I shall only add a Copy of the Arrangement itself. Generals Lord Sterling, Mercer, Stevens and La Roch De Fermoy's Brigades are to take post at and below Corriels and McConkeys Ferrys. Lord Stirling's Brigade to continue at and near where his head Quarters are [at Blue Mount Ferry]. Genl. Stevens next below it. Genl. Mercer below Stevens. Genl. Defermoy above Lord Sterling. The Jerman Battalion to join Genl. Fermoy's Brigade. Genl. Ewings Brigade to continue at this Post and guard the River from Bordentown up towards Yeardlies Ferry. Redouts to be Erected at the Ford at Trenton Falls and near Yeardlies Ferry. Coll: Cadwalladers Brigade to take post at Bristol and [Guard those parts of the River Including Dunks's Ferry and to watch the motions of that part of the Enemy which have moved down towards]." The parts in brackets are in Washington's writing; the rest is in that of Armstrong.]
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