This Day in History: May 31

Part of the Virginia Light Horse crossed at Fredericks[burg] on Tuesday night; the Marquis' Troops (who are not strong enough for an action) were expected there last night, unless prevented by the enemy. Lord Cornwallis with the main body of the British army was at Hanover Court House (scarce fifty miles from Fredericksburg) on Tuesday morning, their object, no doubt, to defeat the Marquis' Troops before General Waine came up, or to prevent the junction: this intelligence comes from an officer sent express to General Waine and may be relied on. I think if the winds permit we may expect their fleet up this river in a very few days. Our situation in Virginia is truly critical and dangerous; a very few weeks, unless the enemy can be checked, will place Maryland in the same predicament. Nothing can speedily extricate the two States but the arrival of a strong French fleet which there is reason to expect every day. [More]