From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 November 1779
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters West Point Novemr 29th 1779
Dr Sir,
Inclosed you will find a Copy of Genl Du Portails state of the Troops necessary for the defence of this Post.1 It may be very useful during your command—You will however be pleased to observe that the Enemy were, when it was made, in possession of the Posts at Kings Ferry, which not being the case now, a less number of Guards is necessary; such as are superfluous will readily occur to you, in looking over the state—There are three in particular that strike me as totally useless, the one at Robinsons Ferry & the two following ones, each of 50 Men2—In this and other matters you will, though, do as your own judgment points out, I have the fullest confidence in it,3 & with the sincerest wish for the perfect recovery of your health—I am with the greatest esteem & regard Dear Sir Yr Most Obet servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See Duportail to GW, 24 September. The copy of Duportail’s work enclosed for Heath is in MHi: Heath Papers.
2. GW is referring to Duportail’s recommendations for barracks surrounded with palisades at Robinson’s Landing on the east side of the Hudson River as well as at Fort Montgomery on the river’s west side and at the “place of debarkation” one mile from Robinson’s.
3. Heath wrote Brig. Gen. John Paterson from Beverly Robinson’s farm in Dutchess County, N.Y., on 5 Dec.: “I arrived here yesterday afternoon Shall take Quarters at this place for the present.
“When Major General McDougall leaves the point, you will take the Command of the Garrison Untill further orders, please to Call upon the Several Departments to make me an immediate return of the strength of the Garrison of the Guards Ordinary and Extraordinary now mounted, with the places where, and whether the Garrison has alarm posts assigned.
“on the Dy Q.M. Genl for a State of the Barracks, in order, Such as are repairing or Building and Such as are proposed to be Built and the Quantity of Fuel on Hand. …
“The Season is so far advanced Sir that I must request your every exertion, to have a Supply of Fuel and Provisions got to the point before the River is Frozen, and that the Barracks and Hutts be Compleated with all possible expedition” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also Heath to GW, 27 Dec.).