P. S. I fear the pickets from your parties are too far advanced from them. The distance ought not to exceed half a mile at night; and the quarters of the pickets should be changed every night after dark. Frequent patrols from each give the best security.
I submit it to your consideration whether it would not be of service to have a quantity of old rags collected at each party and picket, for the patrols to muffle their feet with in frosty weather when there is no snow on the ground. It will prevent their being heard by the enemy, and yours will hear those of the enemy if there are any near them.
A. M'D.
Footnotes:
1. There were two families of Van Schaicks in the State of New-York. They spelled their names differently. The family of Colonel Van Schaick were revolutionary whigs. The Van Schaacks were adherents of the crown.
CHAPTER X.
TO GENERAL MALCOLM.
White Plains, 21st January, 1779.
DEAR SIR,
Mr. Benjamin Sands, and three other persons from Long Island, banished for malepractices, wait on you with this. Benjamin Sands, jun. appears to be a man of good understanding. He can give you a detail of their sufferings.