291From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Some advices which I have received will detain me here longer than I expected —I am to desire you will immediately have all the light companies of the troops under your command completed to fifty rank and file each, and assemble the whole without delay at Peeks Kill. They must be completed with shoes and as far as possible with all other necessaries, for a march to Morris Town; as it will be a...
292From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I return you the proceedings of the Division Court Martial held by order of Majr Genl Parsons. I have confirmed the sentence of Taylor and ordered it to be carried into execution, at such time and place as you shall direct —The punishment ordered to be inflicted upon Cahos is not authorised by the Articles of War, but as it may be sometimes necessary to depart somewhat from the line laid down,...
293From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the Receipt of your letter of yesterday, I had obtained a list of the Feild Officers from the Adjutant General, that I might name those for the present detachment. It is inclosed, and I am very sorry to find the number of them so small—from your command, five will be wanting. I would have eight Companies from the oldest Regiments of the Massachusetts line form one Battalion—The two...
294From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of yesterday. As the detachment, now in formation, may be absent five or six Weeks or more, (which I mention in confidence) the security of West point will become our principal object, and you will, for that purpose, as soon as the detachment marches, order the remaining troops on the East side into the Garrison, and such part of Hazens Regt as is not absolutely...
295From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 17th and 18th. Major Reids sentence was published in the orders of yesterday. The reason of my not including Colo. Sprout or Major John Porter was—that the first was up here himself, and mentioned the obligation he was under of going immediately to the Eastward—the last, I understood, was employed in executing the duty of Dy Adjt General to the Garrison. General...
296From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th —inclosed you have Captain Smarts discharge bearing date the 1st instant. I am satisfied with the arrangments you have made below. As you have, I doubt not, taken care that there are men enough appointed to each work to secure it against a Coup de Main which is the only matter we have to apprehend at this season. I have written to General Lincoln—to...
297George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 23, 1781 . Sends instructions for improving defenses of West Point. LS , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
298From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 18th I hinted to you that the detachment which was then forming might be five or six Weeks absent from this post —possibly it may be longer, and advance us into a season when the enemy, if they are in force and circumstances at New York, may endeavour to avail themselves of our weakness. To provide against this, I have as you are already informed, wrote pressingly for the...
299From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last evening received your favor of the 24th. By a return of the 15th instant There were then at Westpoint—Fishkill and Ringwood 151 Teirces and 454 Barrels of salt meat and 400 Barrels on the communication from Deleware, which will be coming forward —I have directed the meat from the nearest deposits of Connecticut and Massechusetts to be brought to the River—A very considerable quantity of...
300From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 28th ulto —From the circumstances which you mention, the command on the lines may be continued at one hundred Men, with strict orders to the Officer to fall back upon the posts, on the first serious move up the River. I shall set out for New port tomorrow morning. My notice is so short, that I am obliged to deprive myself of the pleasure of seeing you before I go,...