George Washington signed letter to Henry Lee from Head Quarters, West Point, July 25th 1779, discussing British troop movements, positions, and strength. He specifically requests I must also request you will endeavor to obtain the most precise ideas of the situation of affairs at Stoney Point and later in the post script I beg also that you will hire some intelligent person to cross the river and discover what corps lie at Phillips & mile square. 13 1/8'' x 8 1/8''. Early in 1779 British General Sir Henry Clinton was tasked with forcing his way up the Hudson River, in the hopes of driving Washington out of his West Point stronghold. The first offensive was to take the posts of Verplank and Stoney Point just outside of Manhattan. On May 31st the British forces landed at Verplank and Stoney Point and within a day secured them both, in part due to the retreat of the American forces at Stoney Point. In the subsequent weeks, as the British fortified their position, Washington sent "Light Horse" Henry Lee in for reconnaissance. On July 15th Washington and "Mad" Anthony Wayne attacked the fort and overcame the British forces, only to lose Stoney Point yet again four days later. The Americas would retake the fort in October of that year as the British forces moved back into the city, never to make an attempt up the Hudson again. Provenance: The Estate of Robert S. Knox, New Oxford, Pennsylvania.

Allover toning and foxing spots. A few seam separations. Body of letter is probably by the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison.