Manuscripts and Special Collections
Me C 28/4 : Letter from Sir Henry Clinton, New York, to Charles Mellish; 25 Sep. 1776
in my opinion it came to a short alternative,
run away or stay and be beat. My advice
therefore was to give them every Jealousy
for their right, not a Squint towards
their left till everything was ready
and then by a nights march prevant
them at the gorge on their left. This with a
combined attack on other parts I recommended
and I believe I was lucky enough
to have our chief agree with me in opinion
for the plan was adopted nearly as I
wished. I had the command of the Avant
guarde, after a detour of many miles
we arrived at daybrake at the pass, secured it,
and advanced against their left. This
unexpected attack threw them into confusion,
