General Lee Letters for the Year 1776

New Haven, CT - 16 January 1776

I believe we shall find no difficulties in procuring a sufficient body of volunteers for the New York expedition. The unhappy accounts from Canada seem to animate these people, rather than depress.

Stamford, CT - 24 January 1776

I find the people through this Province more alive and zealous than my most sanguine expectation. I believe I might have collected ten thousand volunteers.

New York, NY - 5 February 1776

I should apprise you that General Clinton arrived almost at the same instant with myself. lie has brought no troops with him, and pledges his honor that none are coming. he says it is merely a visit to his friend Tryon

New York, NY - 14 February 1776

We have fixed on a -spot in Long Island for a retrenched camp, which I hope will render it impossible for them to get footing on that important Island.

New York, NY - 29 February 1776

The stripping Ticonderoga so entirely of its heavy cannon, is a most unfortunate circumstance, as the transportation of them from this place is a business of monstrous difficulties, expense, and labor.

New York, NY - 29 February 1776

What to do with the City, I own, puzzles me. It is so encircled with deep, navigable water, that who ever commands the sea must command the town.

New York, NY - 3 March 1776

As I am the only general officer on the Continent, who can speak and think in French, I confess I think it would have been more prudent to have sent me to Canada; but I shall obey with alacrity, and hope with success.

Williamsburg, VA - 5 April 1776

I most sincerely congratulate you, I congratulate the public, on the great and glorious event, your possession of Boston. It will be a most bright page in the annals of America

Williamsburg, VA - 10 May 1776

We have just received an express from North Carolina, informing us of the arrival of eight large transports in Cape Fear River, in the whole containing, as it is supposed, about two thousand men.

Charleston, SC - 1 July 1776

They immediately commenced the most furious fire I ever heard or saw. I confess I was in pain, from the little confidence I reposed in our troops ; the officers being all boys, and the men raw recruits.

Philipsburg, PA - 12 November 1776

I am far from being satisfied with the conduct of our scouts. I do not think they venture far enough, for they generally bring back very lame, imperfect accounts.

Philipsburg, PA - 19 November 1776

The recommendation of General Greene, which you transmitted to me ; threw the officers to whom. I communicated it into so great a flame of discontent, that I ventured, notwithstanding your orders, to hesitate.

Philipsburg, PA - 26 November 1776

It never was my idea to leave the Highlands unguarded, but only for expedition's sake that Heath should detach two thousand of his corps immediately over the river, and to replace these two thousand by the same number