6S8 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



cation with their shipping immediately opened, and it is not unlikety they may 

 despair of effecting, it if they should fail in the push, which I imagine they are 

 now about to make. Col. Smith's present force is not as great as could be wished, 

 and requires to be augmented to put him in a condition to make an effectual 

 opposition. I would therefore have you to detach immediately as large a part of 

 your force as you possibly can in aid of the garrison. I cannot well determine 

 what proportion. This must be regulated by circumstances and appearances, but 

 my present idea is that the principal part should go to his assistance. To enable 

 you the better to spare a respectable reinforcement, I have directed General 

 Newcomb to send his brigade of militia to Red Bank or as many of them as he 

 can prevail upon to go. Colonel Angell will also march early to-morrow morning 

 to join you with his regiment. The garrisons and Steel's may be informed of 

 these succours ; by way of keeping up their spirits. I would not have you trust to 

 the houses in the neighbourhood of your post, as these in case of an investiture 

 will fail you ; which makes it prudent to have a sufficient number of huts before 

 hand prepared within the fort. 



I hope, and doubt not. you will keep fully in mind the prodigious importance 

 of not suffering the enemy to get entire possession of the Delaware ; and will spare 

 no pains nor activity to frustrate their efforts for that purpose. Be watchful on 

 every quarter and industrious in stopping every avenue by which you are assail- 

 able. Be cautious not to pay too much attention to any one part of your works, 

 and neglect the others, but take every precaution to strengthen the whole; for 

 otherwise the greatest danger may be where you least expect it. I am, sir, 



Your obed't serv't. 

 N.B. — The above letter was written by his Excellency's orders; but as he went 



to bed before it was finished, it will be haLded you without his signature. 

 (Signed) Alex. Hamilton, A. D. C, 



3 (on public service). 



COLONEL GREENE, 



Alex. Hamilton, A. D. C. I Commanding Officer, 



to ye Com. in Chief. j a Red Bank. 



The Rev. M. L. Weems, the former rector of Mt. Vernon Parish, Va., 

 thus describes the attack made by Count Donop, on the Red Bank in 

 his Life of General Washington : — 



"On the eastern or Jersey side of the river, at a place called the 

 Red Bank, Washington ordered a strong redoubt, the command of 

 which, with 205 men, was given to Col. Greene. These with some 

 chi-t aux-de-frise sunk in the river, and a few gallies, formed all the 

 barrier that Washington could present against the British Navy. The 

 strength of this barrier was soon put to a fiery trial. Great prepara- 

 tions were made to attack the Americans, at the same instant, both 

 by land and water. Count Donop, with a host of Hessians, was sent 

 over to be in readiness to attack Red Bank, while the tide of flood 

 groaning under their enormous weight, brought up the men of war. 



a Copied from original document In possession of the late John Ward, Esq., of Bond St. 



