04/11/01

I tossed and turned all night. I dreaded the thought of going to work for Swami on the dig again today. I was panicking over it really. I just called him and told him I was feeling a little sick. He mocked me: I have never heard of a husbandman as stalwart as you sequestering at home because of the sniffles! I kept thinking of that nightmare I had where I was digging down in Porch Rot’s filled well when Stash Skimington came along, shot down at me and covered it all up with dirt. I think what if Swami is just having me do all this digging so he’ll have a neat way to dispose of me in addition to maybe collecting some quaint bottles for the shelf? Along came a Creepy Asshole Psychiatrist Spider. If I wrote that up it might be like an Edgar Allan Poe story. I was thinking I was sort of kicked out of the military like Poe. Maybe then it’s there in me, the greatness.

I was talking to Percy on the phone after that. He knew already James Patterson was from Newburgh. Course he knows everything, doesn’t he? He said that I should know Poe invented the detective story genre, that’s why the top award in the genre is called the “Edgar”. Percy said when Poe was court-martialed from West Point his fellow cadets took up a collection for him of $170 to help publish the poems he had written there.

I’m thinking that probably hasn’t happened like that since then.

Percy went on to say that Dr. Hardik was praising me at Cricket practice yesterday. I guess Swami told Percy how impressed he was with my knowledge of George Washington and local events during the Revolutionary War.

But I know better, Percy says, all wooden rod stuck up the ass. You have so much to learn still!

Then Percy emails me the text of a letter George Clinton wrote to George Washington in 1776.

If you’re going to write a story about the chain being put across the Hudson, the first person you need to learn about is George Clinton. He’s not to be confused with Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-in Chief during the war.

“. . . or the Godfather of Funk,” he should have added.

Fort Montgomery, 15 July, 1776

SIR,
I received your favor of the 12th instant yesterday, at this place; previous to which, about nine o clock Saturday morning, the signal at Fort Constitution being given, and the masters of two sloops, which about the same time came to, opposite my house, having informed me that the enemy had attacked New York the evening before, and that they judged, by the report of the cannon, that their shipping had passed by, and were up the river as far as King's Bridge, I thought it my duty to put the neighbouring militia in motion and accordingly issued orders to three regiments, one immediately to march into these works, another into Fort Constitution, and the third to rendezvous at Newburg, on the bank of the river, about nine miles above Fort Constitution, with orders to march and reenforce that garrison, upon the next signal given.
At the same time I issued orders to all the regiments in my brigade, to stand ready to march on a moment's warning, and despatched expresses to all owners of sloops and boats twenty miles up the west side of the river, to haul them off so as to prevent their grounding ; that as many of them as were necessary might be ready to carry down the militia to the forts. The residue I ordered down to Fort Constitution, as I believe by drawing a chain of them across the narrowest part of the river, and fixing them properly to be set on fire, should the enemy's shipping attempt passing by, they would answer a most valuable purpose. Early in the afternoon of that day, I marched into Fort Constitution with about forty of my neighbours, and in the evening came to this fort, being nearer the enemy and better situated to discover their motions. Yesterday evening I was joined by Colonel Woodhull, with between two and three hundred of his regiment; this morning early, by Lieutenant-Colonel McClaghry, with upwards of five hundred of his ; and I hourly expect parts of two other regiments. When these join me, I will draft, out of the four, six hundred men, and employ them as your Excellency has directed. I have ordered the Colonels I have called in, to leave the frontier companies at home to protect the country against the Indians, should they be troublesome, and as many men out of each company as will be sufficient to guard against any attempts that might be made by internal enemies.

The men turn out of their harvest fields, to defend their country, with surprising alacrity. The absence of so many of them, however, at this time, when their harvests are perishing for want of the sickle, will greatly distress the country. I could wish, therefore, a less number might answer the purpose. I would fain hope the enemy mean, by their shipping in our bays, at present only to cut off the communication between the country and city, and prevent our obstructing the channel. Many of the militia may be called in in eight hour ; some in a much less time, should there be occasion for them.

Since writing the above, I received a letter from Colonel Hay, of Haverstraw, a copy of which is in closed. I will send a small party down there this evening, or in the morning, but don t believe I shall be able to continue them long, as the militia here will think hard to be carried there. The bearer, Mr. Boyd, who is well acquainted with this country, the fortifications here, and may be confided in, will be able to give your Excellency any further information.

I am, with great esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

George Clinton.

P. S. I should be glad to know whether it is best to keep the sloops, &c., ordered down to Fort Constitution, there, as it may be attended with considerable expense, which, however, if they can be made to answer a good purpose, ought not, in my opinion, to be regarded.