es resulting from it to us. To
deprive them of the former, and to remove the latter, were
sufficient inducements to endeavour to dispossess them. The
necessity of doing something to satisfy the expectations of the
people, and reconcile them to the defensive plan we are obliged
to pursue, and to the apparent inactivity which our situation
imposes upon us; the value of the acquisition in itself, with
respect to the men, artillery, and stores, which composed the
garrison; the effect it would have upon the successive operations
of the campaign, and the check it would give to the immediate
depredations of the enemy at the present season; all these
motives concurred to determine me to the undertaking. The certain
advantages of success, even if not so extensive as might be
hoped, would, at all events, be very important; the probable
disadvantages of a failure were comparatively inconsiderable,
and, on the plan which was adopted, could amount to little more
than the loss of a small number of men.

After reconnoitering the post myself, and collecting all the
information I could get of its strength and situation, I found
that, without hazarding a greater loss than we were able to
afford, and with little likelihood of success, the attempt to
carry it could only be by way of surprize. I therefore resolved
on this mode, and gave my instructions to General Wayne
accordingly, in hopes that Verplanck's Point might fall in
consequence of the reduction of the other. Dispositions were made
for the purpose, which unluckily did not succeed. The evening
appointed for the attack, I directed Major-General McDougall to
put two brigades under marching orders to be moved down toward
Verplanck's, as soon as he should receive intelligence of the
success of the attempt on this side, and requested General Wayne
to let his despatches to me pass through General McDougall, that
he might have the earliest advice of the event. But by some
misconception, they came directly to headquarters, which
occasioned a loss of several hours. The next morning
Major-General Howe was sent to take the command of those troops,
with orders to advance to the vicinity of the enemy's works, and
open batteries against them. I was in hopes that this might
either awe them, under the impression of