Diary of Sergeant James McMichael, August 11, 1776

The General was beat at sun-up, the troops were paraded, and proceeded through Newark, over the ferries of Passaic, Hackensack and Powl's Hook, and reached the city of New York at 4 Р. М. After forming the regiment in the city, we marched a mile out of Town to a place called Pleasant Hill and there encamped. This night we joined Lord Stirling's brigade, which is entirely composed of Pennsylvanians, Virginians and Marylanders. We are now in view of a formidable English Fleet at the end of Staten Island, said to consist of 100 sail of the line and transports.

SOURCE: “Diary of Lieutenant James McMichael,” William H. Egle, Editor, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XV: Journals and Diaries of the War of the Revolution with Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783, p. 197