1From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., in a , which has not been found, Lee proposed a revised plan for the surprise attack, which GW conditionally approved the next day (see ). Lee carried out the assault on Paulus Hook on 19 Aug. (see
2From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
GW is referring to Lee’s proposed surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., which Lee carried out on 19 Aug. (see
3From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had in contemplation an attempt to surprise the enemys post at Powlus Hook and have employed Major Lee to make the necessary previous inquiries. He will inform you of what has passed between us—The number first proposed for the enterprise was 600, but these appeared... ...on surprise these appear to me sufficient to effect the purpose and as many as ought to be hazarded in the attempt....
4From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Major Lee of the Light Dragoons with a detachment of Foot surprized the Enemy’s strong post at Paulus Hook opposite N. york the Night before last.Fro Maj. Henry Lee’s surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., see
5From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that in the night of the 18th Major Lee with a detachment of 400 men surprised the enemy’s garrison at Powles-hook (which you know is within cannon shot of the batteries at New York)—& brought off the garrison consisting of about 150 Men. and wish you to give & indeed see, that the necessary precautions are used to guard Nixon from a surprise.
6From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
events of Maj. Henry Lee’s surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., see
7General Orders, 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
For the events of Maj. Henry Lee’s surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., see
8To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
GW, Major General Stirling, and Lee had been planning this surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., since at least 10 Aug. (see ). For the layout, works, and armament of the fort at Paulus Hook, see Map 5. For the units in Lee’s attacking force, see his “Order of march and disposition of battle” in n.2 to this document. In addition to the attacking force, Stirling had posted a...
9From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
...think the forward movement for the ostensible purpose of foraging would be so likely to succeed as another mode which may be adopted. It was practised with success in the enterprise against Paulus Hook; but this would awaken the enemys suspicions to a repetition of the same stratagem; and make the deception less probable. The movements of the enemy on Long Island is an additional objection...
10From George Washington to the Officer Commanding Major Henry Lee’s Corps, 29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Maj. Henry Lee was under arrest until a court-martial could try him on the charges brought against him regarding his conduct of the surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., on 19 August. The court acquitted him with honor (see General Orders, 11 Sept.).
11From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
...that no time should be spent in such case in collecting Straglers of the Garrison, who might skulk & hide themselves—lest it should prove fatal; also, that if the post could not be carried in an instant by surprise—the attempt must be relinquished. My objects were,
to surprise it—to bring off the garrison immediately—and to effect a secure retreat. I am Sir Yr Most Obet, servant...surprise...
12From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 3 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
For Lee’s report on his surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., on 19 Aug., see
13General Orders, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
This charge and the subsequent charges against Maj. Henry Lee concerned his conduct of the surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, N.J., on 19 August. For the details of the attack, see
14From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since that event we surprized and took Paulus hook a very strong fortified post of the enemys, opposite to the city of New York & within reach of the batteries at that placeFor the surprise attack on the British fort at Stony Point, N.Y., on the night of 15–16 July, see
15General Orders, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Resolved—That the sum of fifteen thousand dollars be put into the hands of Major Lee to be by him distributed among the non commissioned officers and soldiers of the detachment he commanded at the attack and surprise of Powle’s Hook in such manner as the Commander in Chief shall direct. 15:1099–1102). The resolutions pertain to Maj. Henry Lee’s surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook...