Alexander McDougall to John Jay, 2 December 1776

Peeks Kill Dec r 2 d 1776 1

My dear Sir,

I have much to say to you, which the moveable State of the army prevented and still prevents. General Lee in Consequence of Positive orders from General Washington, is to Cross the north river to Jersey to morrow; with about three small Brigades of the Continental army, 2 illy cloathed; many of the men without Blankets, Shirts or Shoes. Mine is the most wanting of in those articles. Those troops have ^ been ^ so fatigued in marching from the Plains 3 ^ by rains & deep roads ^ that they are almost beat out; and to continue a forced march of near 100 Miles will ruine them. In the present low & dissolved State of the army; its Idle to attempt an attack on the Enemy. All that should be aimed at with any tolerable prospect of Success; would ^ ought to ^ be to take Strong Posts to stop the progress of the Enemy, and bend our utmost attention to recruiting our army. Instead of this we are carr[y]ing the ^ most of the ^ officers who are to effect it out of the Country where alone it can be done; and harrassing the Troops the last moment of the Campaign, to deter them by Severe toil & Service from reenlisting. Sir I tremble for the Consequences. The levi[e]s will be greatly retarded by this mov[e]ment. God grant this may be the worst Consequence of this moment. General Spincer 4 with a few Militia is the only force now below Crotten river, except about 400 men General ^ Woster ^ 5 has about Mamarinek, And these a Squadron of light Horse and three Companies ^ of light Troops ^ would frighten out of the County, which will soon ^ below that ^ be all under the command of the Enemy. The High lands should be better guarded that [than] I fear they will be in the Course of the winter. The Northern expedition cost me my eldest son; and the other ^ Ranald S. M c Dougall ^ was made a Prisoner in Canada. 6 He is now on his parole to Gov r Carlton; and is extreamly uneasey, least he should be called opon to deliver himself up. As he was at the taking of the Prisoners, taken at S t Johns, whenever they are released, he is entitled to the Benefit of them in preference to those, who were not there; and who have been prisoners for a much less time than he has. I have therefore to beg you, to write to Congress in his behalf, least he should in the exchange of those prisoners be forgot; the sooner you do it, the more you will oblige me. 7 M r He was a Second Lieut. in my old Regiment. If I should do otherwise thant well I pray remember this boy. M r John Laurence, my son in Law is now Paymaster to my old Regiment; but as ^ it ^ will soon be dissolved, I spoke to Col. Livingston of the 4th 8 to get him appointed for his, he assured me, he would write to convention on the Subject. If he has, I should be glad you would Speak to the members, if it Should be judged Necessary. May God bless you, and Save my bleeding distressed Country. I am your affectionate

Alexr. M c Dougall