From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 September 1779
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters [West Point] Sepr 13th 1779
Dr Sir
You will be pleased to put General Nixons brigade under marching orders that it may be ready to move at the shortest notice: You will receive further directions for its destination.1
You will also send off in the morning early to Fish Kill a subaltern’s guard of chosen men to take charge of the French Minister’s baggage, when it arrives there and escort it to Philadelphia. Let the officer—be of address and the men of good appearance.2 I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt serv.
Go: Washington
LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Heath issued orders to Brig. Gen. John Nixon, dated 14 Sept. at “Camp Mandevilles” in Dutchess County, N.Y., reading: “you will be pleased to put your Brigade under marching orders that it may be ready to move at the shortest Notice: you will receive further directions for its destination” (MHi: Heath Papers). For GW’s subsequent directions for the movements of Nixon’s brigade, see GW to Heath, 14 Sept.; see also GW to Robert Howe, this date.
2. For the progress of La Luzerne, the new minister plenipotentiary of France, from Boston to GW’s headquarters, and then on to Philadelphia, see GW to Howe, 18 Aug., n.1; see also GW to Ezekiel Belden, 5 Sept., and Substance of a Conference with La Luzerne, 16 September.