Ramapough Clove1 5th Oct'r 1777.
[Extract] S'r,
As the Enemy are in Motion & their destination as yet unknown to me, I thout prudent having an Opportunity P' Col. Livingston2 to advise you of my Strength at this post which with the reinforcement I have received from Col. Hathorn's3 Regiment amounts to scarce Two Hundred Men Officers included. Major Wisner4 who is with the last detachment says they are not all in that he Expects but if they were I am affraid they would be insufficient in case of an Attack as many of their Arms are poor and We are scarce of flints having none but what are in Use and many of them bad; should have sent to you for some to day but was disappointed in geting a Horse timeously if you have any Horse men to Spare should be glad you would send me some by one of them.
The last Account I had of the Enemy was that they were in Haverstraw Bay Standing up the River, their Van near Stony Point and that their fleet consisted of 9 Top sail Vessels a Number of Sloops, Callies &c.5 with about 50 flat Bottomed Boats and appeared to have a considerable Number of Troops on Board....
Thomas Moffat Major.
Public Papers of George Clinton 2: 365-67, no. 811. Addressed in the original: "On Publick Service/To/Brigr. Genl. James Clinton/Fort Montgomery/⅌ Coll/Livingston." N-Ar, George Clinton Papers, box 8, no.811.
1. Near Sydman's Bridge which connected Forts Clinton and Montgomery.
2. Lt. Col. Richard Livingston.
3. Col. John Hathorn, New York Militia.
4. Maj. Henry Wisner, New York Militia.
5. H.M.S. Preston, frigates Tartar and Mercury, brig Diligent, sloop tender Hotham and galleys Crane, Dependence, and Spitfire with a number of transports.
