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.

430 WASHINGTON'S WVRITINGS. [-,ET. 46.
had during the action pushed their baggage to Middletown, and that they, by marching off in the night after
the engagement, would gain that place before there
was any possibility of overtaking their rear, I determined to give over the pursuit. From the information
of General Forman, and many gentlemen well acquainted with the country, I found it would be impossible to
annoy them in their embarkation, as the neck of land,
upon which they now are, is defended by a narrow
passage, which being possessed by a few men would
effectually oppose our whole force. Besides this consideration, I thought it highly expedient to turn towards
the North River. I marched friom Englishtown on the
30th of last month, and arrived here yesterday with
the whole army, except Maxwell's brigade and Morgan's corps, who are left upon the rear of the enemy
to prevent their making depredations, and to encourage desertions, which still prevail to a considerable
degree.*
The march from Englishtown was inconceivably distressing to the troops and horses. The distance is about
twenty miles through a deep sand without a drop of
water, except at South River, which is half way. This,
added to the intense heat, killed a few and disabled
many of our men, and killed a number of our horses.
To recruit the former upon the airy, open grounds near
this place, and to give the quartermaster-general an
opportunity of providing the latter, will occasion a short
halt, but you may depend that we will be with you
as soon as possible. My present intention is to cross
# By an official return from General Arnold, dated the 4th of July, the
number of deserters, who had then arrived in Philadelphia during the
march of the enemy through Jersey, was five hundred and seventy-six.
Of these one hundred and thirty-six were British, and four hundred and
forty German troops. On the 8th of July the number had increased to
above six hundred.