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Mumford, Giles (1759-1795) to Thomas Mumford

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.075.05 Author/Creator: Mumford, Giles (1759-1795) Place Written: Fishkill, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 October - 2 November 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 31.6 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Giles Mumford an American soldier in New York to his father, the Groton, Connecticut merchant Thomas Mumford. Says he has not received a line from his father since 9 October 1777. Pleased his mother and all his friends are feeling better. Expresses joy over the victory of Gates in the Northern Department. Says he is sending a copy of the Convention Articles to him (not included). Says "I think Great Brittain never met with such a Stroke, before, she must inevitably feel it." Hopes General Washington will do the same to General Howe. Says he heard Howe lost 1500 men at Germantown. Says he received 150 dollars from Ensign Barber and that he has loaned it out to various officers since they have not drawn pay in three months. Says Colonel Webb is going to give him money and he will settle his account with him then. Wants his father to send "Spanish White" to have his clothes cleaned. Also wants another blanket. Writes on the 28th that he will move on to New Windsor when the weather permits. Says to direct his letters to Fishkill, New York. Writes on 2 November that he has arrived in Fishkill and that he expects to move to White Plains soon, where General Parsons is. Thinks an expedition against New York is being undertaken. Mentions some details of the actions.

[excerpt]
… the Last Accounts we have from our worthy & brave General is that the Enemy in the Action at Chestnut Hill & German Town lost at Least fifteen Hundred Men, he writes it was Generally reported, 2,000, also that they had Attempted to throw up some Batteries so as to take the Fort on the Delaware, as soon as our People found it out, the Gallery [2] drawed up before them, & the Fort & they began to Play upon them & soon swell'd their works, our Men sallied from the Fort at the same time took a Number of Officers & fifty Seven Privates, I think our People must have the Praise of behaving exceedingly well in all the Actions as yet, we expect News from the Southward every Hours…
Fish Kill Novemr. 2d. 1777
We have just Arrived here & expect to move immediately to White Plains, Genl. Parsons is now there, I believe there is an Expedition going on against N. York - Genl. Howe has vent for Reinforcement of 3,000 Men from N. York as soon as the Enemy heard of it, they Left the River immediately & evacuated the Forts - Genl. Howe sent Count Donnoss with 3,000 Hessians to take the Fort at Red Bank on Delaware they tryed to storm [inserted: it] our People defeated them & sallied out took Count Donnoss his [illegible] & 100 Prisoners, they Left their Cannon in the woods Consistg. 18 Pieces, also betwixt 4 & 500 Men dead in the Field, the great day the Shipping try to weigh the Chiveausdefrize our [inserted: People] let them get fast & then sent down Fireships. The Augusta of 64 Guns & a Frigate Blown up, & they say they sunk the third but no Certainty…

Mumford, Giles, 1759-1795
Mumford, Thomas, 1728-1799

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