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Southold, August 31, 1776.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have, since I wrote
to you yesterday, received by express an account, which may
be depended upon, that General Woodhull was taken a prisoner by our enemies on Wednesday last. Their Troop of
Horse is considered by the inhabitants to the westward of
Huntington as an insurmountable obstacle to their ever obtaining their freedom, independent of Great Britain. Many
have been prevailed with by the disaffected to us to solicit
Our enemies are plentifully supplied with fresh provisions,
which, together with the precarious situation I am in, has
induced me to march my detachment to the westward, in
order to harass their foraging parties. I have endeavoured
to prevail upon the Committees of the different towns to
raise their Militia, and have also sent an express to Governour
Trumbull, requesting his aid; for if some encouragement is
not given to the country people, they will be entirely passive.
I am your Excellency' s most obedient servant,
To His Excellency General Washington, New York.
P˙ S˙ I expect to be at Huntington in about three days.
We begin our march tomorrow morning. I hope for your
Excellency' s approbation.
Letter from Colonel Livingston to General Washington
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pardons from Lord Howe, and they are circulating at a great
rate. Our communication is cut off from New York by
land, and there are three ships, a brig, and a sloop, that
endeavour to intercept it by water. So many reports daily
circulate here with respect to the strength and advantageous
situation of our enemies, that it is very difficult to give your
Excellency a distinct account. They are now possessed of
Hempstead Plains; their Horse are continually employed
in disarming the inhabitants, but do them no other injury.
General Woodhull was taken a prisoner and treated cruelly
by them. After he was taken he received a wound in his
head, and much uncivil language, and finally committed close
prisoner to Jamaica jail.
HENRY B˙ LIVINGSTON.