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,...
301From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beleive I forgot to inform you that I had ordered down six Companies of the York line to West point. They are intended to make up in some measure the deficiency occasioned by the detachment. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers. GW signed the cover, on which Tilghman wrote: “to the care of Colo. [Hugh] Hughes Fishkill [N.Y.].” Also written on...
302From George Washington to William Heath, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival at this place yesterday, I found your letter of the 2d, inclosing the complaints of sundry field Officers of the Massachusetts line. It is a painful reflection, that the best meant endeavors to promote the Service is subject to, and often meets with, the most unfavourable constructions; and that the numerous embarrassments which the distressed situation of our affairs...
303From George Washington to William Heath, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your two Letters of Yesterday. As soon as the time of Major Cartwrights resignation is transmitted by you, so that the Discharge may be properly dated, it shall be granted. I do not recollect Austin to have been employed by me—but he may be sent to this place; where he will be recognised, if he has been employed as a private Agent: and the pass given accordingly. I am Dear...
304From George Washington to William Heath, 25 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of Yesterday, and enclose the Discharge of Major Cartwright. The Deserter from Robinsons Regt is sent back, to be delivered to the Civil Authority, of West Chester County, to which he belonged. I am Dear Sir With great esteem Your Most Obed. Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
305From George Washington to William Heath, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I recollect there was a Gun Boat employed on the River, which was withdrawn at the setting in of Winter, and which is again necessary for the same service, I wish therefore you would have it refitted, & stationed as formerly, for the same purposes. In answer to your Letter of the 25th respecting inoculation, you will be pleased to observe; it was under the idea of the New Hampshire Troops...
306From George Washington to William Heath, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have no objection to Austin’s having permission to go to Morris Town, if nothing unfavorable has been discovered of him, while employed as you Mention. I am Dear Sir With great esteem Your Most Obed. Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
307From George Washington to William Heath, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letters of the 29th. The situation of the New York Troops, I am sensible, is indeed distressing—but I am in hopes their distresses will be in some measure alleviated, by an Order which the Dep. Pay Master has just received on the Treasury of the State for money to pay the Troops of its Line—Should this not be productive of releif, I will make representations to Congress,...
308From George Washington to William Heath, 7 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received and thank you for your information of this date. To guard against Assassination (which I neither expect, nor dread) is impossible—but I have not been without my apprehensions of the other attempt—Not from the enemy at New York—but the Tories & disaffected of this place; who might, in the Night, carry me off in my own Boat and all be ignorant of it till the Morning. If the Water...
309From George Washington to William Heath, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 7th, with a Postscript of this day. I have written to the Dep. Quartr Mastr at Hartford to have the salted Provisions forwarded; and will urge the Quarter Master General to see that Order carried into execution. I have to request that you will Order a Sub. Sergt two Corpls & 20 Men to reinforce my Guard—this party to be releived once a Week. With great regard...
310From George Washington to William Heath, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several Letters of the 9th 10th & 11th Instant. It will be proper upon the general principle & practice, to Order an enquiry to be made into the conduct of the Commanding Officer of the Guard, which escorted the Prisoners to Easton. The discriptive Lists of the Recruits may be lodged with the Commanding Officers of Brigades, or the Dep. Adjt Genl as you shall think best....
311From George Washington to William Heath, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of this day. No means in our power, to have the supplies you mention instantly brought forward, shall be left unessayed: the most pointed Orders have already been given to the proper Officers—repeated applications have been made to the Civil Authority for impress Warrants—and finally we have been forced to have recourse to a military impress, to obtain the teams...
312From George Washington to William Heath, 15 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors of Yesterday. General Knox will concert Measures with you respecting the Artillery & Stores. I have no objection against building a Provost on Pollipus Island, if it is judged a good situation by those who have reconnoitred it—I never have examined it myself for the purpose. With great regard I am Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
313From George Washington to William Heath, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It was exceedingly proper to order the men who left the Detachment under the Marquis, to be confined—if the practice should prevail, severe examples must be made—but if it ceases here, and the number is small, it may not be worth the while to send them back, (Altho there should not be evidence sufficient to convict them here with certainty) lest the fear of Punishment should induce them to a...
314From George Washington to William Heath, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have from the necessity of the case respited the two Criminals ’till Tuesday. In the mean time the provost Martial must be tried for refusing to execute his Office as directed by the Warrant—perhaps the Court may make some allowance for the reasons he alledges. If you think there is no need of executing both for the sake of example and can find out which is the most atrocious character...
315From George Washington to William Heath, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master informs that Teams with flour will probably be at New Windsor by tomorrow night, and suggests whether it will not be adviseable to have flat-bottomed Boats ready for the transportation of it; as sail Boats may be delayed by the adversity of Wind or Tide. The Commissary of Prisoners reports that there are several Prisoners of War, sent on as recruits from the State of...
316From George Washington to William Heath, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening favored with your Letters of the 3d and 4th Instant. I am pleased to find the Recruits arrive in such numbers as you mention, and desire only that you will use your discretion entirely, in barracking or encamping the Troops in the best manner possible to preserve their health—Straw will be an essential article upon their first going into Tents. I have not the least...
317From George Washington to William Heath, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of yesterday has been handed to me—You will be persuaded, that, at the same time, I sympathise sincerely with you, in your illness—I am by no means pleased with the unreasonable long absence of the General Officers, which has rendered your presence with the Army hitherto indispensably necessary. I have read the Proceedings of the Court Martial, and would have the sentences approved,...
318From George Washington to William Heath, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Distressed beyond expression, at the present situation & future prospect of the Army, with regard to provisions; and convinced with you, that, unless an immediate and regular supply can be obtained, the most dangerous consequences are to be apprehended, I have determined to make one great effort more on the subject—And must request that you will second & enforce my representations to, and...
319From George Washington to William Heath, 9 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to proceed immediately to the several Eastern States, with the dispatches, addressed to the Governors of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay and the President of New Hampshire, on the subject of supplies for the Army. The present critical and alarming situation of our Troops and Garrisons for the want of provision, is (from the nature of your command) so perfectly...
320From George Washington to William Heath, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favored with your Letter of the 15th of May and have just now had the pleasure to receive that of the 29th—I intreat you not to relinquish or relax your Sollicitations and importunities until the great Object of your mission are fully accomplished. As the plan of the Campaign is now settled upon the presumption of the success of your Application, a Failure in the smallest degree on...