From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
December 6.—Advices from the country are, that General Washington and Mr. Mead, his aide-de-camp, and his adjutant-general, were near being drowned last Saturday week [November 27?] by the overturning of a whale boat at a place called Sandy Point, on Hudson River; that all the army but a garrison of twelve hundred left at West Point, are marching down the country in divisions under their proper generals, supposed for Morris county; and it is conjectured they will hut this winter either in Morristown, the Notch below Passaic Falls, or the mountain in the rear of Mr. Kemble’s. The army has been short of flour for some time past, on account of the dryness of the season. Mr. Jacob Arnold’s house, in Morristown, is taken for General Sullivan’s head-quarters for the winter, as General Washington is to reside at Philadelphia until spring. Lord Stirling has declined going to the southward, and it is imagined General Wayne will be appointed to that command; and the troops destined for South Carolina are the Virginia and North Carolina men, with Baylor’s light horse. Colonel Dayton will relieve Colonel Seely at Elizabethtown in a few days; and Colonel Spencer takes post at Woodbridge; and General Washington’s best train of artillery is at Sucesunney, above Morristown. A number of the eastern men are to be hutted on the east side of the North River, under the command of General Gates.1
1 Gaine’s Mercury, December 6.