Fort Montgomery 2d August 1776.
[Extract]
On Thursday last the Shipping & Tenders fell down to the Mouth of Croton River where they have ever since continued at Anchor near the East Shore. Since which they have attempted once to land on this Side the River with their Barge but were repulsed by our Militia.
On Satturday last the 300 New England Militia left Peeks Kill & returned Home without giving me the least Notice of it, tho I believe they had the Consent of the Committee of [Provincial] Congress who expected in the New Levies from West Chester & Dutchess that Evening to Supply their Place. They were disappointed, the Shore, of course unguarded & the very same Evening the Enemy's Barge came up the River six Mile from where the Shipping lay, went a Mile or Upwards into the Country & took off a yoke of Oxen, a Steer, a Cow & 10 Sheep from the Farm of one Baily, who it is said is on Board the Phenix, and I suppose was their Guide.
1. Hugh Hastings, ed., The Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York (New York and Albany, 1899), I, 282, 283.
