George Clinton Letters for the years 1776 thru 1783

Fort Montgomery, NY - 15 July 1776

At the same time I issued orders to all the regiments in my brigade, to stand ready to march on a moment's warning, and despatched expresses to all owners of sloops and boats twenty miles up the west side of the river

Fort Montgomery, NY - 26 July 1777

When I had the pleasure of seeing your Excellency at Ramapo, I mentioned that the terms, for which the two militia regiments stationed at this post were engaged in service, expired the last of this month

Fort Montgomery, NY - 9 August 1777

I never knew the militia come out with greater alacrity ; but as many of them yet have great part of their harvests in the field; I fear it will be difficult to detain them long, unless the enemy make some movements that indicate a design of coming t

New Windsor, NY - 9 October 1777

My guards fell in with, and took two spies from General Clinton, going to Burgoyne. One of them confessed, that his orders were to make all possible despatch, and inform General Burgoyne that he had got Fort Montgomery

Marbletown, NY - 17 October 1777

For the rest, as your operations must be governed by circumstances, I can only inform you of facts. Kingston was burnt yesterday afternoon, because I had not troops to defend it.

Pleasant Valley, NY - 27 October 1777

General Gates, in his letter of the 24th instant, gives me rea son to believe a large part of his army are on the move down each side of the river. Part of them had reached Hurley yesterday.

Fishkill, NY - 30 October 1777

I have, therefore, only to add, that the enemy have demolished Fort Montgomery, and all the other posts in the Highlands, and moved down with their whole force towards New York

Poughkeepsie, NY - 20 December 1777

When the enemy left the river, it was my opinion that as many of the troops from the Northern Department should be sent to reenforce the Grand Army under your Excellency's more immediate command

Poughkeepsie, NY - 24 July 1778

I have already ordered out one fourth part of the militia of Orange and Ulster to the western frontier of those counties, who will amount to near six hundred men

Poughkeepsie, NY - 18 March 1779

The Legislature, before they adjourned, empowered me to embody one thousand men for the defence of the northern and western frontiers, or such other service as I should judge proper to employ them in.

Poughkeepsie, NY - 18 May 1779

I was called by an alarm on the frontiers of Ulster county, occasioned by the appearance of about one hundred Indians and Tories, at Shendeacon, a small settlement in the gorge of the mountains, about twenty miles west of Kingston

Poughkeepsie, NY - 24 April 1780

I received the act of Congress respecting the troops proposed to be raised for the defence of our frontiers. Some considerable time will necessarily elapse before they can be embodied

Kingston, NY - 13 June 1780

I am apprehensive that the other three regiments (they having, previous to the receipt of your Excellency's order, marched to the respective stations mentioned in my brother's letter) will not be able to reach West Point on as early a day as might ha

Albany, NY - 18 October 1780

Upon my arrival, I found the main body of the enemy, which appeared in the northward, had returned by the way of Lake George ; and that part of the country seemed again to be in a state of tranquillity.

Poughkeepsie, NY - 30 October 1780

On my arrival at Schenectady, I was advised that the different parties of the enemy at Schoharie and Ballstown, had left those places ; the former moving towards the Mohawk River, and the latter shaping their course towards Sacondaga.

Albany, NY - 14 February 1781

we esteem it incumbent on us to afford your Excellency the perusal of a letter which we have addressed to Congress, a copy whereof we have the honor to inclose.

Poughkeepsie, NY - 21 January 1782

Induced by the situation of a number of the citizens of this State, who had been captured on the frontiers by ravaging parties of the enemy, and carried into Canada, I last spring addressed a line to Governor Haldiman, on the subject of their liberat

Poughkeepsie, NY - 20 October 1782

I was sensible of the delicacy entertained by your Excellency respecting yonr interference with the internal police of the French army ; but, as the persons concerned in the dispute were Americans, I should have had great reluctance in making the app

Poughkeepsie, NY - 17 April 1783

It appears to me indispensably necessary that some troops should be kept in service in time of peace, for the purpose of garrisoning the posts, which it may be thought expedient to maintain on the frontiers, and to protect the public magazines.

Poughkeepsie, NY - 14 October 1783

We have as yet no certainty when the British will leave the southern district of this State, though all accounts agree that their stay will not exceed the 10th of next month.