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Beckwith, George, 1753-1823 [British spy report]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05224.01 Author/Creator: Beckwith, George, 1753-1823 Place Written: New York Type: Manuscript document Date: 5 September 1781 Pagination: 1 p. ; 33.5 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Reports on George Knox "formerly a Capt. in the Continental Army" who had resigned his commission in April 1780 and resumed farming in Newark. Informs that Knox turned himself over to loyalist refugees at Bergen and sought to join the British service. Relays that Knox reported that General George Washington is below Philadelphia and the troops with him are the Jersey Brigade of about 600 or 700, the Congress Regiment, a detachment of light infantry formed from York troops, and the French troops. Knox also reported that the New England troops are at the Hudson Highlands under General William Heath. George Knox was probably a planted informer and possibly a ruse since Washington was heading towards Virginia.

Beckwith, George, 1753-1823
Heath, William, 1737-1814
Knox, George, fl. 1781

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