For military operations, the South became the fighting arena, with the usual concatenation of American reverses. Washington, for the best of military reasons, still nursed his plan to make a grand demonstration against New York city. He held his army well in hand: to act offensively, should Sir Henry Clinton detach a portion of his command to reinforce Cornwallis, and, defensively, should the English advance to attack him. In all his career, Washington's ability and qualities, as a great commander were never, to his own generation, more brilliantly displayed; and for posterity, more solidly established than during this period. He proved his perfect knowledge of the first rule of war and gave a double exemplification of his knowledge of its application, first in circumventing the designs of the enemy, and second in completely deceiving the enemy in the execution of his own designs. The operations along our frontier, the incursions of the enemy at different points and periods, the suffering, discontent and privations of the troops, the anxiety endured, the patience exercised and the patriotism shown by the men, high in authority, military and civil, are set forth voluminously in the following pages, with a fidelity, perspicuity and credibility, invaluable alike to the novelist and to the historian. HUGH HASTINGS, State Capitol, Albany, N. Y., July 22, 1902. State Historian. TABLE OF CONTENTS. MANUSCRIPT VOLUME X-(Continued). Colonel Weissenfel's letter respecting a mistake in the rank of some of his officers with Governor Clinton's reply..... Colonel Willett's letter respecting sending officers to recruit among PAGES, General Van Rensselaer's return of levies and militia.... Colonel Hopkins writes to Governor Clinton of the levies and Reported arrival of the French fleet-Washington's appeal for the employment of "All our zeal and all our exertions"..... Robert Bohonnan makes application for permission to continue Letter from Colonels Cortlandt, Gansevoort and Weissenfels, complaining of neglect of duty in Captain Wiley, agent to PAGES. Micah Townsend reports relative to a Vermont company. . . . . Governor Clinton replies to the field officers who complained Apprehending tories who had started to join the enemy. Du Simitiere abandons hope for aid from Congress. Ab'm Yates to Governor Clinton regarding the protection of the Governor Clinton administers a rebuke to Colonel Woodhull. . . . . Major John Graham reports the presence of Joseph Brant in the 59-60 Governor Clinton to General James Clinton regarding promotions. Colonel Van Schaick's letter to Governor Clinton in regard to Several suspects apprehended on the Ulster County frontier...... Governor Clinton orders the militia to hold itself in readiness |