Note (138) — AFTERMATH
Reading edition
British march troops towards N. Y. then back again.
Setauket, May 27th, 1781.
Sir. Your favour of the 13th instant hath come to hand, and note the contents—I have proposed the affair to the person mentioned in your last but can only send him down at times, he cannot reside there at present, and cannot procure any person as yet to do it. Austin Roe hath just returned from New York but brings nothing material. Pensacola is taken by the Spaniards and there’s a fleet preparing to sail for Europe, probably will be ready in about ten days, their said to be conveyed by five ships of war. The troops were all ordered to leave Long Island a few days past but before they got to Brooklyn were ordered to return to their quarters again. What this maneuver was for cannot say. It is reported that the second division of French have arrived at Boston. You desired to know the state of the enemy at Kingsbridge. I have directed an enquirie. They’re most certainly very weak there. But I think you cannot surprise them and were you to make any movement there you may depend they could move their whole force there in twelve hours. Their regular troops certainly doth not much exceed four thousand. And I am assured that the Militia and others that they could muster on an emergency would amount to five thousand more, some say six.
I have forwarded the papers regular and have expended the ten guineas. A few days past several men from New Haven were at Setauket. Two of them were named Thompson and Brother. Further cannot describe. They brought on Shoes and Flour and other necessaries of life. There’s a person been to New York this week, I suppose you are not unacquainted with his errand. Hope he hath rendered a good account. I am in haste. And remain your very humble servant,
Saml. Culper.
General Phillips is dead and General Robinson, commonly called Jimmy, goes to take the command in Virginia.