Letter Tench Tilghman to John Cadwalader, December 27, 1776
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 06
[Note 88: Stryker refers to a Johnson's Ferry which he distinguishes as different from McKonkey's, though he does not locate the former, which is given on Hessian maps of the period as John's Ferry. Dr. Carlos E. Godfrey, Director of the Public Record Office of New Jersey, calls attention to the interesting fact that the records under his supervision show that McKonkey's and Johnson's Ferries are identical, Samuel McKonkey owning the ferry rights on the Pennsylvania hank and Garret Johnson those on the New Jersey side.]Dear Sir: Notwithstanding the discouraging Accounts I have received from Col. Reed of what might be expected from the Operations below, I am determined, as the Night is favourable, to cross the River and make the attack upon Trenton in the Morning, If you can do nothing real, at least create as great a diversion as possible. I am, etc.(89)
[Note 89: From original in possession of Charles E. Cadwalader, of Philadelphia, as printed in Stryker's Battles of Trenton and Princeton, p. 132. Reed had been in New Jersey a few days before, but Stryker states he was in Philadelphia on Christmas day and rode to Bristol, Pa., on the afternoon of December 25. His discouraging report was his letter of December 22 to Washington, written from Bristol. It is in the Washington Papers and is printed by Stryker and by Sparks in Writings of Washington, vol. 4, P. 542. (See extract in note to Washington's letter to Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, Dec. 22, 1776, ante.)]
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