Washington, George, 1732-1799 to William Stephens Smith
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00949 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Letter signed Date: December 16, 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32.5 x 21 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 20.3 x 15.2 cm Order a Copy
Letter in hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker, and written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter from December 12, 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that. At this point, after the American victory at Yorktown, Dobbs Ferry was the one official point of contact between the American and British armies in the North and Washington wanted to control that contact tightly. Says the refugee Smith mentioned previously is at West Point and that he may be paroled if he cannot be exchanged. Signed by Washington. Pages are separated. One black and white bust engraving of George Washington included.
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