he immediately marched the Regiment towards Bunker’s Hill, with the utmost despatch.

Samuel Hubbard deposed and said: I was within ten feet of General Whitcomb, and heard him order Colonel Scammons to go to the hill. But the deponent does not know what hill. I heard Colonel Scammons ask the General if he could go across the marsh, which was the nearest way to the little hill. General Whitcomb replied, that he could not, but must go up and round by the road. Frethy Spencer agreed with Hubbard exactly, being close to him during the conversation between General Whitcomb and Colonel Scammons.

Adjutant Marsden was sworn at the desire of the complainants, and deposed, that we were three-quarters of an hour on the little hill, and continued about twenty minutes after we heard of this firing on the hill in Charlestown. I went half way up Bunker’s Hill with Colonel Scammons, when I left him and went to the breastwork, where I got before the enemy forced it; the confusion was so great when we got to Bunker’s Hill we could not form the Regiment.

The prisoner then made a few remarks on the evidence, and withdrew. The Court being cleared, entered upon the examination of the evidence collectively, and after debate adjourned to Monday, 17th of July, eight o’clock, A. M.

July 17, 1775.

The Court being met according to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the case of Colonel Scammons, and having duly weighed the allegations and proofs brought against the prisoner, with his defence and evidence, are of the opinion, that the said Colonel Scammons is not guilty of the charge brought against him.

A true copy of the Proceedings:

JOHN NIXON, President.

Attest:

WILLIAM TUDOR, Judge Advocate.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Camp near New-York, July 15, 1775.

SIR: Having found by experience that the Troops under my command, from the situation of their encampment, are subjected to many difficulties, which render it next to impossible to maintain that good order and discipline which is entirely necessary in the regulation of an Army, my officers agree with me in sentiment, that it will be much for the benefit of the service to remove the Troops to a further distance from the Town. I have viewed a plat of ground belonging to Mr. Sickles, of Harlem, which I think very proper for an encampment, and which he is willing should be made use of for that purpose. I therefore desire you to take the opinion and advice of the Committee of Safety, and if they think proper, I shall be obliged to them if they appoint somebody to contract with Mr. Sickles for the place, and assist us with the wagons, carts, &c., that we may remove next Monday.

I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER, Major-General.

To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, New-York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read July 20, 1775.]

Saratoga, July 15, 1775.

SIR: Late last night I received two letters, of which the enclosed are copies. The information contained in that marked No. 1. is so truly alarming, that although I should have been at Ticonderoga to-morrow, I think it more advisable to remain a day here, in which I may probably receive some farther accounts that will determine whether my presence may not be more necessary in Tryon County than at Ticonderoga, although it is much, very much wanted at the latter place. I lament that it is not in my power to give such aid as the unhappy people in Tryon County, who are friends to the cause of America, stand in need of. All I am able to do, and which I have done, is to order Captain Van Dyck’s company, which is at Schenectady, and consists of about fifty new levied men, to march to the relief of these people; to furnish him and the inhabitants with the trifling quantity of three hundred pounds of powder, my whole stock at Albany; and to recommend to the Militia of Albany and Schenectady to march up, though I fear they have little or no ammunition. The powder ordered from Philadelphia is not yet arrived, nor that for which I despatched an officer from New-York to Connecticut. In this defenceless condition, should eight hundred Indians, or half the number, come down, and be joined by the Highlanders and others that are disaffected in Tryon County, they may with impunity not only march where they please through that or this County, but so effectually cut off all supplies from the Troops to the northward, that they must disperse or starve.

You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed Return, what our strength is at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, without lines to defend themselves against an attack, for I cannot learn that the least shelter has been made by the Troops.

In such a distressing situation, it is extremely natural to wish that I had more men and ammunition, not only to oppose this threatened invasion, but to carry into execution your former orders. Perhaps the necessity which induced your order to let the Connecticut Troops remain in New-York no longer exists; if so, I could wish they were directed to join me without delay. You may be assured, Sir, that I shall exert every nerve to counteract the schemes meditated by the enemy, happy if I shall be able to give you a favourable account of our operations.

I am Sir, with the most profound respect, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Albany Committee Chamber, July 14, 1775.

SIR: You have enclosd copy of a letter from the Committee of Tryon County to the Committees of Schenectady and Albany; the contents whereof are very alarming, and the more so as the people of that County are not provided with ammunition to defend themselves. We shall forward the letter to the Provincial Congress, and would beg leave to suggest to you, whether it will not be advisable to let the company of Captain Van Dyck (which we find you have ordered up to Lake George) march up the Mohawk River, towards their relief. And as that company has no ammunition, and we have here about three hundred weight, whether you will think it proper to furnish them from the store here, and whether you will not think it necessary to send up some of the remainder to furnish the inhabitants.

As it is not possible to know how far this may be a fact, we would think it advisable to take some steps so as to keep up the spirits of the people of Tryon County.

In answer to your letter of yesterday we inform you, that we shall endeavour to get the carpenters as soon as possible. We are, Sir, your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

ABRAHAM YATES, JUN.

TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE TO THE COMMITTEES OF SCHENECTADY AND ALBANY.

Canajoharie, July 13, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Ebenezer Cox informed this Board that Mr. Peter S. Deygert told this informant that he was informed by a person who we have reason to think has it from good authority, that Col. Johnson was ready with eight or nine hundred Indians to make an invasion of this County; that the same Indians were to be under the command of Joseph Brandt and Walter Butler; and that they were to fall on the inhabitants below the Little Falls, in order to divide the people in two parts; and were to march yesterday or the day before.

Captain Jacob Klock informed this Board, that this morning about an hour before day, three Indians of Fort Hunter came to his house from Oswego, in their way home; that he was informed by a free negro man, a servant of him, that they each had a bag of powder on their horses; that they stayed about an hour, and then went off in great haste. From these and other concomitant circumstances, we have but too much reason to think it is true, and that all our enemies in this country will appear in arms against us, as soon as the Indians are nigh to us, which, from the above information, we must expect in a few days.