Sir | Novr 26th 1782 |
Agreeably to orders of the Commandant of the Light Infantry Brigade, of the 16th inst. for my Battallion to relieve the Lines & the advance posts on the Hudson: on the morning of the 17th I detatched Capt. Burnham with his company to Pines, & Capt. Cloyes to the New-bridge, Capt. Coburn to Stoney & Verplanks Points, and the lower beacon on Haverstraw Mountain; and proceeded myself with Capt. Stones, to the Post at Dobbs-ferry and relieved Majr Smith on the morning of the 18th at which time a flag arrived from NewYork bringing Mrs Bruce who had your Excellencys permission to have an interview with her son Mr Ranselear; which was compleated the next morning & the flag returned, in which event Captain Asgill of the British guards—on the 20th I sent a Packet of Letters to Head Quarters which were brought by the above mentioned flag, together with some for examination & permission to pass to New York—The 21st reciev’d a Letter from Head Quarters granting permission to Mr McDonald a Volunteer of the 76th British Regt to pass to New York, together with several other Letters which I forwarded by a flag the 22d and the same day sent three more deserters from the British guard-ship to Col. Webb to be forwarded to Head Quarters. The 23d Lt Col. Smith arrived & reliev’d me, agreeably to instructions sent me by Col. Webb, receipting for the papers &c. containing the instructions at the post; Capt. Stone receipting for the Stores provisions, &c. which receipts are enclosed, I have also herewith transmitted a report of some part of the Stores at Stoney & Verplanks Points. I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys most Obedt Servt
M. Ashley
DLC: Papers of George Washington.
Dobbs’s Ferry Novr 23d 1782 |
Rec’d of Major Ashley Sundry Papers and Letters from the Commander in Chief containg instructions to the officer Commanding at this post.
W.S. Smith Lt []