Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-04-20

followed:
The Letter.
New Windsor, 10th July, 1879.
DR.. sir-Immediately upon receipt of
your letter OF this date, ] ordered the
Q. NJ. Gen'l to furnish the espOntoons
you wish for, and presume you VIII get
them In day or twC,
My ideas of the enterprises in CON
temptation are these
That Il should be attempted by the
light Infantry only which should march
under cover OF night, and with the ut
most secrecy to the enemy's lines, Sc
curing every person they find to pre-
vent discovery
Between one and two hundred chosen
men and officers / conceive fully sufll-
client for the surprise. and apprehend
the approach should be along the water
on the South side crossing the beach
4 entering at the abbatu.--
This party is to be preceded by a
vanguard OF prudent and determined
men, well commanded. who are to re-
move obstructiOns-Secu the sentries
and drive in the guard-They are to
advance the whole Of them with fixed
bayonet8 and muskets unlOaded. The
officers commanding them are to know
precisely what batteries or particular
parts Of the line they are respectively
to posses that confusion and the con-
sequences Of indecisiOn may be avoided.
These parties should be followed by
the main body at n small distance for
| the purpose Of support and making
good the advantage which may be
| guined-or to bring them off in case
| OF repulse * OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
! parties may advance to the works (but
| not so as 10 be discovered Till the con-
| nct IT, begun by the way of the Causey
q River, on the North, II practicable, as
well for the purpose Of distractlng the
| enemy In their defence as to cut
| on their retreat.-These parties may be
small, unless the access and approaches
| should be very easy and safe
The three approaches here mentioned
should be reconoitered before hand a
by persons Of observation: Single men
| I'm the night will be more likely to as
| certain facts than the best glasses in
| the day,
A white feather or cockade or some
| other visible badge OF distinction for
the night should he worn nv our troops
and watchword agreed on to distin-
; gush friends from foes
| IL success should attend the enter
prise measures should be instantly
taken TO prevent II practicable the re-
| treat OF the garrison by water or to
annoy them as much as possible IL they
attempt lt-and the guns should be
| Immediately turned against the ship
! ping and NcrplanS's point and covered
| II possible from the enemy's fire.
Secrecy is so much more essential TO
! these kind of enterprises than num-
| bers that ] should not think it adj
visable to employ any other than the
| light troops. II surprise takes place
they are fully competent to the bust
| uess-if It does not, numbers will avail
| little
| As 1t is In the power OF single de-
serter to betray the design-defeat the
| proIect-& involve the party In din
culties and danger too much caution
| cannot be used TO conceal the Intended
| surprise to the latest hour from all but
the principal officers of your corps and
| from the men TIL the moment OF eXecu-
! tion.-- Knowledge OF your intention, ten
| minutes previously obtained. blasts all
your hopes. for which reason a small
| detachment composed OF men whose
| fidelity you can rely on under the care
OF judicious officer should guard
every avenue through the marsh to
| the enemy's works by which our de-
serters or their spies can pass, and pre-
vent all Intercourse
The usual time for exploits OF this
| kind is a little before day, for which
| reason vlrilant ot,cer Is then more
on the watch. therefore recommend
q midnight hour.
| had In view TO attempt Ncrplancks
| point ut the same instant that your
| operations should commence at Stoney
| point hut the uncertainty of cooperat-
| ing IN point OF time and the hazard
thereby run OF defeating The attempt
| on Stoney point. which Is Infinitely
most Important the other being de-
psndcnt-has Induced me to suspend
that operation.
These are my general ideas OF the
| plan for surprise but you are at
| liberty TO depart from them in every
instance where YOU think they may
be improved or changed for the better
"A dark night and even n rainy one
if you can find the way VIII contribute
To your Success.-The officers in these
night marches should be extremely
attentive TO keep the men together as
well for the purpose OF guarding
against desertion TO the enemy as to
prevent skulking.
As It IL part OF the plan II the sur
prise should succeed to make use OF
the enemy's cannon against their ship
ping and their post on the other side.
II will be well to have a small detach-
ment OF artillery with you to serve
them.-I have sent an order to the
Park FOR this purpose and to cover the
design have ordered down a couple OF
light field pleces.---When you march
you can leave the pieces behind.
So soon as YOU have liked your plan
and the time OF execution shall be
Obliged to you to give me notice.
shall Immediately order you REIN
forcoment OF light infantry and more
Espontoons.-I am with great regard,
Yr. most obdt Servant.
q. WASHINGTON,
Brlgr, Genl Wayne
The End 4. AppronrhtnE.