Spy System 1777: Clark to Washington, December 26, 1777

Mr Lewis's [Newtown Square, Pa.]
26th Decr 1777. 8 o Clock A.M.

sir

I wrote you yesterday at one o Clock P.M., informing you the Enemy had moved towards Chester, after which, I took a circuit round them, their design appeared only to disperse our light parties, to make room for their Waggons to hall the remainder of the Hay from Tinicum Island, & the Hook, My Spy from the City has just arrived, & informs me General Knyphausen commands in Philada, & has but a very few Troops with him, chiefly Hessians, one Regt of English-they were attack'd Day before Yesterday & beat into their Lines on the Frankford Road, at Grays ferry they have a very good Bridge of Boats, & chief of the Hay is taken over it from Tinicum-Day before Yesterday three Days provision was sent to the Troops at Derby-And as they've nearly compleated their business, I immagine they'll return this Evening, a glorious opportunity was lost yesterday by the imprudence of one of our Officers forming his Men on the right, instead of the left; 30 of the Enemy's Horse came out, an ambuscade was formed, & they were permitted to pass in hopes of taking them, & they filed off & returned where the party was supposed to have been fixed to received them-in short we shou'd catch 'em every Day had we but a sufficient number of Horse-At middle ferry near 100 Hessians were driving in Cattle Unarmed, and unmolested, only a picket Guard at the ferry on this side, no Troops on the hill encamp'd the other side of the Ferry-a very plentifull Market, Day before Yesterday, I herewith send your Excellency a News paper-And am tho' much fatigued Your very Obedt hble servt

Jno. Clark Junr

The Country People are carrying in their produce thro' fear of being plunder'd as the Enemy return-Beef sells at 1/6 & Buter at 5 / per lb.

The Enemy had 5 or 6 Men killed in the Skirmish yesterday & several wounded by Captn Porterfeild of Genl Woodfords Brigade whose little party I'm informed by those who were Spectators behaved exceeding well-he had 2 or 3 Men killed.