Washington, George | General Washington asks his director of intelligence for an assessment of British troop strength in New York City and Long Island

Washington, George

Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, Washington's director of intelligence, requesting an assessment of British troop strength in New York City and Long Island

1 1/2 pages (226 x 188 mm) on a leaf of laid paper, "Hd Qrs" [Wayne, New Jersey], 4 November 1780, docketed at the foot of the second page by the recipient's son, Frederick A. Tallmadge, "This letter was addressed to Maj Benj Tallmadge, 2 Reg't Dragoons. F.A. Tallmadge" (original address leaf lacking). Half red morocco slipcase, chemise.

In the aftermath of the discovery of the André-Arnold plot, Washington presses to maintain the Continentals' advantage in intelligence gathering: "You cannot be too expeditious in your communications on these heads." Benjamin Tallmadge was a Yale friend and classmate of Nathan Hale, which may have influenced Washington's decision, in November 1778, to appoint him to manage his intelligence service. Tallmadge "reported directly to Washington. The headquarters of Britsih commander in chief Sir Henry Clinton were in New York City, and Tallmadge started the Culper Spy Ring—the most successful intelligence operation of the war—with childhood friends from Setauket, Long Island. … Tallmadge and the men who worked for him fulfilled Washington's instructions that an agent 'be critical in his observations rather than a mere retailer of Vulgar reports' [Washington to Tallmadge, 13 June 1779; Papers, Revolutionary War Series, 21:166–169]. Washington's spies reported on troop movements by land or water; number and location of troops in New York City; fortifications; forage and wood stocks; morale of army, navy, and refugees" (Ralph Kirshner in American National Biography). This was exactly the sort of information that Washington requested in the present letter:

"You would oblige me by ascertaining as soon as possible the following things.—

"The number of Troops and different Corps that composed the last detachment which is supposed to have gone to the Southwd.

"The truth of the present report of another Imbarkation taking place—when it will happen—& to what amount in Men & Corps—and who is to commd. the detachment.—

"The present disposition of the remaining Troops on Long Island and York Island and the number at each place

"You cannot be too expeditious in your communications on these heads—distinguishing between things certain and matters of mere report.—"

Washington's letter was prompted by concerns about New York City being reinforced by British troops marching from the south after the British has largely taken control of South Carolina and Georgia. In consultation with Washington, Tallmadge was able to successfully act on reports these orders elicited from Abraham Woodhull (using the alias Samuel Culper) and Caleb Brewster, two of the spies in his network.  On 22 November, having rowed across the Long Island Sound the previous day, Tallmadge and a detachment of dragoons captured and burned down Fort St. George. On their march back, Tallmadge burned 300 tons of hay that the British had been stockpiling for the winter in Coram, New York. Washington subsequently wrote to Tallmadge, 28 November, "I received with much pleasure the report of your successful enterprise upon Fort St George and the Vessel with Stores in the Harbour—and was particularly well pleased with the destruction of the Hay; which must, I should conceive, be severely felt by the Enemy at this time."

PROVENANCE

Benjamin Tallmadge, by descent to — Frederick A. Tallmadge, given to — William Frederick Havemeyer, mayor of New York (letter of presentation, 26 November 1845, of "the last & only letter that I possess written entirely by Genl Washington to my venerable parent"), by descent through — successive generations of Havemeyer's descendants (accompanied by correspondence between his great-granddaughter Sarah C. A. Potter and John Fitzgerald regarding the publication of the letter), until consigned to auction for sale (Swann, 7 November 2017, lot 7)

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 87; https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-03817 (Early Access Document, The Papers of George Washington); Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 20:292–93 (text from letterbook, with several variations from the sent letter in incidentals)