From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 July 1779
To Major General William Heath
Stoney Point [N.Y.] July 18th 1779
Dear Sir,
I have received your favour of yesterday—From the information I have had, it is probable you will have joined General Howe before this reaches you—I have given him instructions which he was directed to communicate to you—But for fear of a miscarriage I shall repeat them. It was directed that one of the four brigades, which compose your two commands, should be stationed in the Gorge1 of the mountains and that the other three should proceed to possess the Highlands opposite to West Point on the East side, and this without delay.2 I am Sir Your most Obed. servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS.
1. For this gorge, see Heath to GW, 1 July, and n.2 to that document.
2. No communication from GW to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe with this information has been found, but it appears from Heath’s letter to GW of this date that Howe received these instructions.