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Collection Reference Number GLC00949
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1782 
Title George Washington to William Stephens Smith about the course of the war, Dobbs Ferry, relations between British and civilians
Date 16 December 1782
Author Washington, George (1732-1799)  
Recipient Smith, William Stephens  
Document Type Correspondence; Military document
Content Description In hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker. Written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter of 12 December 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that. At this point, after the American victory at Yorktown, Dobbs Ferry was the one official point of contact between the American and British armies in the North and Washington wanted to control that contact tightly. Says the refugee Smith mentioned previously is at West Point and that he may be paroled if he cannot be exchanged. Signed by Washington. Pages are separated.
Subjects President  Spying  Revolutionary War  Military History  Global History and Civics  West Point (US Military Academy)  Refugees  Prisoner of War  
People Washington, George (1732-1799)  Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)  
Place written Newburgh, New York
Theme The American Revolution
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Notes: Published in John C. Fitzpatrick. The Writings of George Washington 25:438. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
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