The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

180 WASHINGTON'S WTRITINGS. [AT. 45.
to attack them while defended by a force fully equal
to our own in Continental troops. The reinforcement
from New York unluckily arriving before ours from the
northward, it was out of my power to afford adequate
relief to Fort Miffin, which fell after a most gallant defence of seven weeks. The works upon the Jersey
shore, which were of no great consequence after the
reduction of Fort Mifflin, were evacuated, as it would
have been impossible to support the garrison there.
We have not yet determined upon a position for the
army during the winter. That situation will undoubtedly be most eligible, which will afford best cover to
the troops, and will at the same time cut off the enemy
from resources of provision, which they may probably
stand in need of, when the navigation of the Delaware
is obstructed by the ice. I am, Sir, &c.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Head-Quarters, Whitemarsh, 10 December, 1777.
SIR,
I have the honor to inform you, that in the course
of last week, from a variety of intelligence, I had reason
to expect that General Howe was preparing to give
us a general action. Accordingly, on Thursday night
he moved from the city with all his force, except a
very inconsiderable part left in his lines and redoubts,
and appeared the next morning on Chestnut Hill, in
front of, and about three miles distant from, our right
wing. As soon as their position was discovered, the
Pennsylvania militia were ordered from our right, to
skirmish with their light advanced parties; and I am
sorry to mention, that Brigadier-General Irvine, who