Want to save this letter now that you've found it?
It's easy - just create your own collection of letters after signing up for a free account.
Bennington, 4 September, 1777.
DEAR GENERAL,
The person I sent to General Burgoyne is returned. He had an opportunity to confer with him, with Fraser and others, and was suffered to return into the country, under the character of a Recruiting Officer. He informs me that the flying camp is about three miles below Fort Miller, on the east side of the river, and consists of seventeen hundred men ; that the American troops are about half a mile above them, and he supposes there are about fifteen hundred of them. About one mile above, is the German camp ; then the British head-quarters, number unknown. At Fort Edward there are about three hundred men, commanded by a Major; about one hundred and fifty at Fort George; about five hundred at Ticonderoga. By every appearance, the enemy's designs are to move down the river. This is confirmed by every person who comes out.
My informant gives it as his opinion, from the best evidence he could collect, that there are about six thousand European troops on the south of Lake Champlain. I hear, by another per son who left Fort Edward the 30th ultimo, that the enemy had sent one English regiment, and fifteen or sixteen light field-pies, to Fort Anne ; and that, on the 2d instant, General Burgoyne intended to remove his heavy cannon to Stillwater. I hope you will take possession before him, as I know, in that case, you will seriously dispute title with him; and doubt not but you will con vince him that his claim is insupportable.
I have sent to the officers, civil and military, and to a number of private gentlemen in the county of Berkshire, desiring their aid to the Commissary, by furnishing him with teams to forward on the flour here as fast as possible. I have received a quantity of ammunition from General Heath; have now a good supply, and have good reason to believe that I shall have a sufficiency of flour. Beef we have in plenty. I have the honor to be, dear General,
With the warmest sentiments of regard and esteem, &c.,
- Bennington
- Source:
- Correspondence of the American Revolution; Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Volume II., Jared Sparks, 1853
