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.

138 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [LET. 49.
Although your general rule of conduct will be to act
on the defensive only, yet it is not meant to prohibit
you from striking a blow at the enemy's posts, or detachments, should a fair opportunity present itself.
The most eligible position for your army, in my opinion, will be on the north side of Croton River; as
well for the purpose of supporting the garrison of West
Point, annoying the enemy, and covering the country,
as for the security and repose of your troops. Waterbury's brigade, which may be posted towards the
Sound, Sheldon's corps, the State troops of New York,
and other light parties, may occasionally be made use
of to hold the enemy in check, and carry on a petite
guerre with them; but I would recommend keeping
your force as much collected and as compact as the
nature of the service will admit, doing duty by corps
instead of detachments whenever it is practicable, and
above all exerting yourself most strenuously and assiduously, while the troops are in a camp of repose, to
make them perfect in their exercise and manceuvres,
and to establish the most regular system of discipline
and duty. The good of the service and the emulation
of corps will, I am persuaded, prompt the officers and
men to devote their whole time and attention to the
pleasing and honorable task of becoming masters of
their profession. The uncertainty, which the present
movements of the army will probably occasion with the
enemy, ought to be increased by every means in your
power, and the deception kept up as long as possible.
It will not. be expedient to prevent such militia as
were ordered from coming in, until the arrival of the
Count de Grasse, or something definite or certain is
known from the southward; and even then (but of
this you will be advised) circumstances may render it
advisable to keep the enemy at New York in check,