British Spy Report, 5 September 1781 - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC05224.01
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1781
Title	British Spy Report, 5 September 1781
Date	5 September 1781
Author	Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823)
Document Type	Military document
Content Description	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.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Military History Spying Continental Army Loyalist Refugees Revolutionary War General France Battle (Siege, Surrender) of Yorktown Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs
People	Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823), Heath, William (1737-1814) Knox, George (fl. 1781)
Place written	New York, New York
Theme	The American Revolution
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Beckwith was the head of British intelligence operations in the Colonies at the end of the Revolutionary War.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents	British Spy Report, 10 September 1781
Transcript	Show/hide New York Sepr 5th 1781, , George Knox, formerly a Capt. in ye Continental Army, but resigned his Commisn. in Apl. 1780, & has lived in Newark since that time. He came over yesterday to ye Refugees at Bergen, & delivered himself up to them; He says his intention of coming in is to offer his Service to Govert. in the Military line, he is at present delivered to Mr. Loring as a prisoner, He desired to return in a few days on his parole, to effect an Exchange, and then if he can be employed here he will sell his Estate in Newark & come in with his family., , Knox says Washington has got below Philadelphia, that he has taken no troops with him to the Southward, but the Jersey Brigade which is 6 or 700, the Congress Regt. about 80 or 100 men, a detachment of Light Infantry from [illegible] York Troops, & The french Troops - , The New England troops are all out & about [illegible] Highlands under Genl [William] Heath - , A Regt made up of 3 & one years men under Colo Sealy lay about four miles back of Newark -

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