Mumford, Giles (1759-1795) to Thomas Mumford
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.075.03 Author/Creator: Mumford, Giles (1759-1795) Place Written: Peekskill, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 August 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 30.7 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Giles Mumford as a solider under Lieutenant Colonel Meigs to his father Thomas Mumford, a Groton, Connecticut merchant. References his father's letter of 26 August 1777. Mentions that he sent 4 letters to him and that none of them have been referenced. Says his health is restored and that he has not had any of the camp disorders. His illness was a fever with a pain in his right side, shoulder, and head and that it is now gone. Says the militia in the north are well thought of and that General Horatio Gates has probably taken command of the Northern Department. Says General Howe has landed around Baltimore and that General Washington is marching to meet him. Hopes that "God send Success to our Arms & defeat all their Enterprises I am sure if we handle them pretty Roughly this Campaign they cannot stand it much Longer." Says Colonel Webb has returned from Long Island after a failed raid (see GLC00496.075.02), but that he thinks he will try again. Says he wanted to go with Webb before, but that his strength was lacking. Says General Sullivan's attack on Staten Island turned our poorly, with 200 prisoners taken while 150 were lost from his ranks. Says his unit will probably be switched to General Parson's command, because officers in the brigade are not agreeing. Says he does not want to commit more to paper than that. Postscript from 1 September 1777 says he heard 2,000 British troops had marched to Head of Elk and that Washington was about to meet them.
[excerpt]
…I have now got in pretty good Health again, I have not had any of the Camp Disorders as yet my Illness was a fever with a Continual Pain in my Right Side, Shoulder & Head, the Pain is left me - The Militia at the Northward is very Highly esteemed by us all, it is most Generally thought that now Genl. Gates has taken the Command of the Northern Department, that this will give a pretty good Account of them, Genl. Green wrote Colo. Livingston that if Mrs. Howe would Land, they wou'd ruin him in a Little while, he has Landed near Baltimore & Genl. Washington has marched for that Place, may God send Success to our Arms & defeat all this Enterprises I am sure if we handle them pretty Roughly this Campaign they cannot stand it much Longer, if they do we shall Ruin great Britain for Ever, I cannot say [2] but she is already Ruined - Colo. Webb had return'd from the Island but I rather think they Intend to try again as they have not got back to Camp yet, Lieut Avery is Like to do will an Account of his wound, the Ball took him in the Neck, cut off his Stock, the Cape of his Coat & hurt his Shoulder; (it was a swivel Ball); it wou'd gave me infinite Satisfaction to have gone with Colo. Webb but not being Able was Obliged to carry, it was not for the want of Spirit, but of Strength - …Genl. Sullivans Attack upon Staten Island is turned out Poor, he took but 200 Officers included and last about 150 - We are Like to be chang'd into Genl. Parson's Brigades for our Officers & the Brigadier does not agree, I cou'd tell [inserted: you] a Long Story but dare not trust it to pen, please not to Mention it - …P.S. Sept. 1st - have just heard that about 2,000 of the Enemy had march to the head of the Elk, that Genl. Washington was within 25 Miles of them. He had gone out with 3 Regts. of Light Horse to Reconnoitre where to take Post, I believe you will soon hear that there is something done -
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