To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr.,
4, November 1777

Goshen [Pa.] Novr 4th 1777. 6 oClock, P.M.

sir

Your agreeable favor came to hand a few Minutes ago. I thank you for your approbation of my conduct, and shall not fail to do as you have directed; in return, I expect immediate intelligence of every design-from the Enemy.

I am just returned from below Marcus Hook, & Chester, have carefully viewed every Ship of War & Transport in the River at these places, & can assure you there is not a Soldier to be seen on board of any of them-several worthy friends have carefully reconnoitred them with good Glasses, & agree with me in Opinion-the Fleet seem'd to be very busy to Day. knocking continually Night & Day on board-& I am well assured by the testimony of numbers on the Shore, they are caulking their Boats.

As soon as I dispatch'd the Express to your Excellency last Night, I embarked for Chichester Meeting House near the Hook, where I fell in with Captn Lee with a few Dragoons, & about 60 of Foot; among whom were a few Riflemen; we had rece'd information of a number of Shallops in the Enemy's employ lying at a place called Grub's landing a few Miles below Hook, Captn Lee was orderd to dismantle the Mills along shore, he also communicated to me an intention of destroying those small Craft at the landing, & that he immagined 'twas also practicable to board a Tender belonging to the Roebuck which lay near the Shore to cover the Shallops, she mounted 10 Guns; I was convinced of the practicability of the design-& we marched at 3 this morning & soon arrived near the place-Captn Lee & myself rode down to the shore to reconnoitre their situation & found the Enemy had removed them down the River, except the Tender, no Boats to be got, we determined to have some sport, & soon caught a Tory Inhabitant whom we sent down near the Shore in Company with a few Riflemen & two or three Dragoons commanded by a Lieut. of Captn Lees, the Tory was obliged to hail the Tender, they knew his Voice & answered him, asked what he wanted, he told them some Company a shore had a little fresh Beef for them, they immediately turned out five of the Crew into a Boat, who landed & came up with their Arms. The officer of the Dragoons demanded a surrender, but they refused with attempting to run, & made a little shew of fighting, their Arms being badly charged did not go off, the Riflemen fired on them & three fell-the remaining two effected an escape under the fire of the Tender who blazed away without injuring any of the Men-I believe they won't attempt to come ashore for Provisions in that quarter in a hurry-we left a few to watch their motions to Day & to morrow, the Mills are dismantled, & we drove off some fat Cattle from the shore at Chester, which I believe were intended for the Enemy-If we cou'd but have got only two Boats, we shou'd have taken the Tender, she kept no watch on board-the excessive fatigue & want of sleep will prevent my being so active as I cou'd wish-riding injures me exceedingly since my late illness-Genl Greene has wrote me to join his Family I believe he don't know 'tis by your Orders I remain here I beg you to inform him, where ever I can render the most service wou'd wish to be-but am fearful I shall soon be obliged to retire from service on account of my health. I wait your answer & am Yr hble Servt

Jno. Clark Junr

P.S. A few Guns were fired at a great distance down the River whether signals, or what & I am unable to say but will soon inform you I hope.