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.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 111
East Chester, as near the latter as may be without
hazard of discovery. This party must remain perfectly
concealed, with orders to apprehend all persons going
towards Kingsbridge. It is essential that your party
should not be seen by the inhabitants, as this might
frustrate the very object of our operations. You will
be convinced, Sir, by your own experience and good
sense, that the profoundest secrecy is absolutely necessary in all military matters, and in no instance more
racks. In the hollow, near the barrier gate, are about fourteen or fifteen
tents, which are the only encampment I could see without the line of palisades. A continued hill from the creek, east of Haerlem River and a little below Morris's White House, has from every part of it the command of
the opposite shore, and all the plain adjoining is within range of shot from
batteries, which may be erected thereon. The general width of the river, along this range of hills, appears to be from one hundred to two hundred yards. The opposite shore, though more or less marshy, does not
seem miry, and the banks are very easy of access. How far the battery,
under cover of the blockhouse on the hill northwest of Haerlem town, is
capable of scouring the plain, is difficult to determine from this side; but
it would seem as if the distance were too great to be within the range
of its shot on that part of the plain nearest the creek before mentioned,
and which is also nearest the heights back of our old lines thrown up in
the year 1776. It unfortunately happens, that, in the rear of the continued hill before mentioned, there is a deep swamp, and the grounds west
of that swamp are not so high as the heights near Haerlem River. In
the rear of this again is the Brunx, which is not to be crossed without
boats below Delancey's Mills.
"July 23d. — Went upon Frog's Neck to see what communication
could be had with Long Island, and the engineers attended with instruments to measure the distance across. Having finished the reconnoitre
without damage, a few harmless shot only being fired at us, we marched back about six o'clock by the same routes we went down, but in a
reversed order of march, and arrived at camp about midnight."
Supposing it probable, that Count de Grasse would shortly appear off
Sandy Hook with his fleet, General Washington wrote to him, on the
21st of July, in Count de Rochambeau's cipher, acquainting him with the
junction of the allied armies, their position and strength, and the force of
the enemy; and also explained the plans then in view as to future operations. This letter was sent under cover to General Forman, at Monmouth, with a request that he would keep look-outs on the heights, and, as
soon as the fleet should approach, go on board the fleet in person and
deliver the letter to Count de Grasse.