1Instructions and Orders for Brigadier General William Heath, 19 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
As you are Forthwith to take upon You the Command of the Brigade, now upon their March to Norwich in Connecticutt, consisting of the 5th, 16th, 19th, 24th & 25th Regiments, you will without Delay proceed to Norwich where you will confer with the persons appointed to provide Vessells for the Transportation of The Troops to New York; Dispatch, & Secrecy are necessary in Embarquing, & Sailing...
2From George Washington to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 Aug. 1776. Heath’s letter to GW of this date is docketed in Joseph Reed’s writing: “Major Genl Heath Kingsbridge Aug. 17 1776 Answerd do.”
3From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday’s date—The ships of War & Tenders were fired at from the Batteries here as they passed, and I suppose received similar damages to what they met with from the Forts at Mount Washington & Burdit Ferry. I shall not be able to spare any Tents for Genl Clinton at present owing to the very small Stock on Hand, with regard to their Quarters being so scattered I can only...
4From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you Copy of a Letter which I have this Moment recd from Genl Livingston at Elizabeth Town. You will perceive by it that the Enemy are upon the point of striking the long expected Stroke, and as part of the Information seems to intimate that the Attack may be up the North River as well as at the lower posts, I have only to recommend to you to be as well prepared as possible...
5From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the Enemy must pass this place before they can attempt the Posts above, and as your Troops there, are new augmented, I would have you pick out a body of about Eight hundred or a thousand light active men, and good Marksmen (Including the light Infantry and Riflemen) ready to move this way upon the appearance of the Shipping coming up, or upon the commencement of the Canonade of any of our...
6From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Morning the Enemy landed at Gravesend Bay upon Long Island, from the best Information I can obtain, to the Number of about Eight Thousand. Colo. Hand retreated before them, burning as he came along, several parcels of Wheat, and such other Matters as he judged would fall into the Enemy’s Hands. Our first Accounts were, that they intended, by a forced March, to surprize Genl...
7From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 23rd & 24th of this Inst.; with respect to the detachment I directed on the 23rd, I concieve it to be highly expedient that they be kept in the most perfect readiness to act as the circumstances of affairs may render necessary; the present appearance of things seems to indicate an intention in the enemy to make their capital impression on the side of...
8From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 30 August 1776 . “As Numbers of the Militia are going off without Licence, I desire you will stop all such at Kings bridge, as are not furnished with regular Discharges.” LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers. Heath wrote the captain of the main guard at King’s Bridge later on this date, instructing him “to Stop all Soldiers Coming from the City Except Such as have...
9From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have reciev’d your letter of this day, and concur with you in sentiment as to the probability of the Enemy’s endeavoring to land their forces at Hunts point, or some place not far distant from it; in order to prevent such an attempt from being carried into execution, I have sent up General Mifflin with the troops he brought from your quarters strengthened by a reinforcement; with this...
10From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of this date and Intend this Evening to go to Harlem and see whether the situation of Things will admit of the several Detachments and Dispositions you mention, so that every place necessary to be maintained should have measures taken for their defence. I should suppose that Hutchinsons Regiment & the 300 Men you say are at Mount Washington, will do to Garrison It for the...
11From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
As every thing, in a manner, depends upon obtaining Intelligence of the Enemys motions, I do most earnestly entreat you and Genl Clinton to exert yourselves to accomplish this most desireable end. leave no stone unturn’d, nor do not stick at expence to bring this to pass, as I never was more uneasy than on Acct of my want of knowledge on this Score. Keep besides this precaution, constant...
12From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 6 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The present posture of our Affairs, the Season of the year, and many other reason’s which might be urged, renders it indispensably necessary that some Systematic plan should be form’d, and, as far as possible pursued, by us—I therefore desire that immediately upon receipt of this Letter you will let Genls Mifflin & Clinton know that I desire to see them with you, at this place, (Head Quarters)...
13From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have lately reciev’d information (on which I can in some measure rely) that it is impracticable for carriages to pass from Harlem point or any of the landing places contiguous to it, towards King’s bridge any other way than along the public roads; I should therefore concieve it would be highly expedient to throw every impediment and obstruction in the ways leading from the above mentioned...
14From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Before this Letter can reach you, the Brigade under Colo. Chester’s Command no doubt has reached you, but unless more assistance of Waggons and Teams are sent I cannot undertake to say when you will get a further reinforcement—let me entreat therefore that Genl Clinton and yourself will exert yourselves in getting, by Impressment, or otherwise, a parcel of Teams to come to our Assistance. The...
15From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Some advices lately recieved from Powle’s hook, has made it necessary that Col. William’s regiment, should march to that post as a re-inforcement to Col. Durkie; it will be proper therefore they should be immedy put in motion towards Mount Washington, where they are to cross. Yr hhble Servt LS , in William Grayson’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers.
16From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have now your letter of Sept. 18th before me; and cannot say that I, by any means approve of your proposal of sending artillery to annoy the frigate, and the Enemy’s batteries on Montrasure’s Island; in my opinion, it would only endanger the loss of our cannon, & waste our ammunition, without answering any one good or salutory purpose. With respect to the sick, I am as much afflicted at...
17From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad if you would order Genl Saltenstall to draw as much Powder as will compleat his Militia to about fifteen or 18. Rounds a Man; as also Lead if they have it not, and Cartridge Paper that they may make their own Cartridges. At the sametime let him know, & desire him to Impress it strongly upon the Minds of his Men, that they must Acct for every Load which is not used in Action....
18From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday is before me with the list Inclosed; but this is doing the matter by halves only, and the delay must inevitably defeat the end; as it is impossible from the nature of things that the different Governments can withhold the nomination of Officers much longer—I therefore entreat you to delay not a moments time in summoning the Officers (under Sanction from me) to consider...
19From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment yours of this Evening. The Party of 100 Men were ordered up to assist a Detachment of Artillery in covering the two New Ships, should the Enemy attempt to cut them out or destroy them. Soon after I got home from Fort Washington I recd a Report that the Enemy had passed the new Ships and were landing at Dobb’s Ferry, I then directed Colo. Read to desire you, if that should be...
20From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Ships which have got up the River with their Tenders (and now two of our Row Galleys) must be well attended to, or they may undertake something against our Stores, Craft, or &ca at Spiten devil—delay no time therefore in having some Work thrown up at the Mouth of that Creek for the defence of what lyes within, & to prevent Surprizes. A Small number of Troops Imbark’d on Long Island...
21Instructions to Major General William Heath, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The uncertainty with respect to the designs of the Enemy renders any disposition of our army at this time a little unsettled; but for the present, your division, with such Troops as are now at Forts Constitution, Montgomery, & Independance are to be under your Command and remain in this Quarter for the security of the above Posts and the Passes through the Highlands from this place—and the one...
22From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
As an Exchange of Prisoners, is likely to take effect, as soon as the circumstance of the case will admit, and as, in the course of the transaction, it may possibly happen, that an attempt may be made by the Enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession, who were never ingag’d in our service, I must request you, to direct the Colonels, or Commanders of Regiments under your...
23From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 16–17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Resolves, that Congress have entered into some New regulations respecting the Inlistment of the New Army, and reprobating the measures adopted by the State of Massachusetts Bay for raising their Quota of Men. As every possible exertion should be used for recruiting the Army as speedily as may be, I request that you immediately publish in Orders that an...
24From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26th overtook me a few Miles from this place where I arrived this day at Noon. The Enemy gave us not the least Interruption upon our March. I am glad to hear that the Stores that were at Tapan and Slotts Landing are all got safely up; I hope you will have the same good Luck with the Flour. I approve of the Steps you have taken to keep the Tories, in the Neighbourhood of your post,...
25From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are upon Receipt of this to cross the North River with the Troops under your Command in the Continental Service to wit Parsons’s Brigade & move on so as to give all possible Protection to the Country & Vigour to the Cause. If you could move on towards Morris Town in New Jersey it would be best, as by this Means a Junction may be made if necessary & at all Events such a Movement would...
26From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th Instant has come duly to hand, and am glad to hear that Greatons Bond’s and Porter’s regiments are coming forward to join me; at the same time I must acknowledge I should have been much better satisfied, if they had contained a greater number of men than what you have mentioned: your sending them on with all possible expedition, was exceedingly proper; indeed no time is...
27From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 10th Instt. I am extremely pleased by the ready attention you have paid to my Orders and have only to request that you will proceed with your Troops with all possible expedition to Pitts Town, pursuing General Lee’s rout & where I expect you will join him. You will not lose a Moment. The situation of our Affairs demands industry and dispatch on all...
28From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I reciev’d your favor of the Eleventh instant, advising me of the march of Parsons Brigade from Pekeskill to join us; I am now to acquaint you that from information reciev’d of the Enemy’s movements, it appears to me that they intend leaving this part of the Country, & to retire towards Brunswick & the towns contiguous to it, perhaps for the purpose of going into Winter quarters, unless indeed...
29From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from the Council of the State of Massachusetts by Major Shaw, informing me he had in charge a few Indians from N. Scotia who were inlisted into the Continental Service; as they will be of no use to me here I have directed Mr Shaw to deliver them into your Care, & request you will employ them in such a manner as you may judge most advantageous to the Service, and...
30From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter just received from the State of Massachusets (Copy of which you have inclosed) I find that they had ordered 6000 Militia to be raised, and appointed the place of rendezvous at Danbury in Connecticut, where they are to meet Genl Lincoln who is to take the Command. You will perceive from the Tenor of the Letter, that the Appearance of the Men of War and Transports off the Coast of N....