51To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon the receipt of yours on Yesterday I immediately sent an Express to West-Chester, with the Letter directed to Col. Williams, & a Line from myself for his immediate march to Mount Washington—The Express informs that Col. Williams with his Regiment was not arriv’d, but hourly expected—The Major of the Regiment is at West-Chester, and will as soon as the Regiment reaches that place deliver...
52From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have now your letter of Sept. 18th before me; and cannot say that I, by any means approve of your proposal of sending artillery to annoy the frigate, and the Enemy’s batteries on Montrasure’s Island; in my opinion, it would only endanger the loss of our cannon, & waste our ammunition, without answering any one good or salutory purpose. With respect to the sick, I am as much afflicted at...
53To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Three Troops of Light Horse, making about 90 Men in the whole, have already got in, & others are nearby—Col. Douglas & Col. Stores’s Regiments of Militia are at West Chester—Col. Williams’s have not reached this as yet, but will move forward as soon as they come in—Col. Stores acquaints me that about 4000 Militia may be expected soon; what will be done with them I cannot tell—They have neither...
54To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Heath, 21 September 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Heath, 21 Sept. 1776. On this date William Grayson wrote to Heath: “In answer to your letter of this date, I am commanded by his Excy to inform you that he thinks it expedient that an officer with about twenty five men should be immediately sent to Dobbs ferry; and that the Pensylvany troops under your command should be marched directly for this place;...
55To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
If your Excellency should be fully Satisfied with the Intelligence Brought by the Two Lads who Swam from the LaBrune, with respect to the number of the Enemy on Montrasures Island, I think they may be taken, I Desired General Clinton to lay this matter before your Excellency this Day, But having thought more of it Since he left me, and apprehending that He may not return Untill late this...
56From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad if you would order Genl Saltenstall to draw as much Powder as will compleat his Militia to about fifteen or 18. Rounds a Man; as also Lead if they have it not, and Cartridge Paper that they may make their own Cartridges. At the sametime let him know, & desire him to Impress it strongly upon the Minds of his Men, that they must Acct for every Load which is not used in Action....
57To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send your Excellency the report of the Court Martial, which I laid before you the Last Evening, with the addition of another report Given in this morning, I have Passed upon all the Sentences in the first report Except that of McCormick and on all in the Second Report, Except the Lieutenants, I Should be Happy to Know your Excellency’s Opinion, not only with respect to the Present,...
58To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter Just received from Colo. Harrison, I am Informed that it is your Excellency’s Pleasure, That Such of the militia belonging to General Saltonstalls Brigade as have not been ordered to move Forward, should now march and take Post opposite to Head Quarters on the Morrisania Side of Harlem River & c. I beg leave Just to represent to your Excellency, That this Brigade Consists of nine...
59To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday at Ten oClock A:M. a Sloop or Frigate Came through Hell Gate and Came to Anchor near L[a] Brune where she remained untill about Twelve when She Came to Sail and Stood to the Eastward, and was Soon out of Sight Just at night another Ship Came through Hell Gate, and this morning is at Anchor in Harlem River, not far from Montizure’s Island—These movements seem to indicate an Intention...
60To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received by a Letter from Col. Grayson, the Signification of your Excellency’s Pleasure, that the Officers of my Division should get thoroughly acquainted, with the Grounds between this post & Morrissania —This I have been daily inculcating already, & shall now press, in consequence of your Excellency’s Direction. In my Orders on Yesterday I endeavoured to rouse the Officers &...
61To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Disposition which I have made of the Troops of this Division which is to be observed in Case of attack —Colo. Knox has a map of new York & its vicinity by which your Excellency may Determine if the Disposition is properly made[.] I did not See the map untill the Disposition is properly made[.] I did not See the map untill the Disposition was Compleated—I have this Day ordered a...
62To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being Posted at Some Distance from The other General Officers of the State of Massachusetts Bay, I have found it very difficult to Obtain their Opinion of the Field Officers Proper to be Recommended, to that State, to Serve in the Army in future, General Nixon was at my Quarters on Yesterday, General Fellows was on Duty and Could not attend. I did with General Nixon arrainge The Officers for...
63From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday is before me with the list Inclosed; but this is doing the matter by halves only, and the delay must inevitably defeat the end; as it is impossible from the nature of things that the different Governments can withhold the nomination of Officers much longer—I therefore entreat you to delay not a moments time in summoning the Officers (under Sanction from me) to consider...
64From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment yours of this Evening. The Party of 100 Men were ordered up to assist a Detachment of Artillery in covering the two New Ships, should the Enemy attempt to cut them out or destroy them. Soon after I got home from Fort Washington I recd a Report that the Enemy had passed the new Ships and were landing at Dobb’s Ferry, I then directed Colo. Read to desire you, if that should be...
65To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon being Informed yesterday in the afternoon that a party of the Enemy had Landed at Dobbs’s Ferry, and had Posted Sentries in the Road, I Ordered Colo. Sargent with 500 men and 40 of the Light Horse to march and Dislodge them, at Two oClock this morning he Sent an Express Informing me, that he had reach’d The Ferry, & that there was no Enemy Landed, at that Time, and that the Ships were...
66To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Sargent has just return’d from Dobbs’s Ferry—he informs that the Enemy’s Ships, took Two of our Gallies on Yesterday near that place which were run on shore—our men got out the small Arms & Baggage—That the Enemy sent Four Boats from their Ships, three to the Gallies & one on Shore, the men in the latter landed & broke open a Store, & plunder’d many Articles, & Stove the Remainder, & set...
67From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Ships which have got up the River with their Tenders (and now two of our Row Galleys) must be well attended to, or they may undertake something against our Stores, Craft, or &ca at Spiten devil—delay no time therefore in having some Work thrown up at the Mouth of that Creek for the defence of what lyes within, & to prevent Surprizes. A Small number of Troops Imbark’d on Long Island...
68To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just Received the Honor of yours of this Day’s date, and am fully Convinced that a Work should be thrown up without the Least Loss of Time at the mouth of Spiten devil—If Colonel Putnam and Colo. Knox Can be spared a few hours I wish Your Exellency would please to Send them Here in Order to Trace out a Proper Work, and Determine what Ordnance will be necessary to be Mounted at the Mouth...
69To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I would have wrote your Excellency Earlier this morning, But have waited to have Intelligence from the Two Regiments near frogs Point, which I have but Just Received, a Large number of vessells, Ships, Brigs, Schooners, Sloops Lighters &c. Saild through Hell gate yesterday afternoon, and Came to anchor last night off Frogs Point, where they still remain, during the night, Lanthorns were...
70Instructions to Major General William Heath, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The uncertainty with respect to the designs of the Enemy renders any disposition of our army at this time a little unsettled; but for the present, your division, with such Troops as are now at Forts Constitution, Montgomery, & Independance are to be under your Command and remain in this Quarter for the security of the above Posts and the Passes through the Highlands from this place—and the one...
71From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
As an Exchange of Prisoners, is likely to take effect, as soon as the circumstance of the case will admit, and as, in the course of the transaction, it may possibly happen, that an attempt may be made by the Enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession, who were never ingag’d in our service, I must request you, to direct the Colonels, or Commanders of Regiments under your...
72From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 16–17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Resolves, that Congress have entered into some New regulations respecting the Inlistment of the New Army, and reprobating the measures adopted by the State of Massachusetts Bay for raising their Quota of Men. As every possible exertion should be used for recruiting the Army as speedily as may be, I request that you immediately publish in Orders that an...
73To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 12th Inst. I called a Council to consider & determine upon the Posts most important & proper to be occupied by our Troops—There were present Brigadier Generals James & George Clinton, & Scott, (General Morris, Col. Dewer, & Col. Putnam, whom I invited to sit with us)—After Deliberation it was thought best to make the following Disposition of the Troops at this post for the present...
74To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I some Days Since Presented to your Excellency The Disposition of the Troops at this Post. I have not as yet received your Excellency Express approbation I am Endeavouring to Compleat the Business your Excellency Assigned to me, as fast as Possible. On the 21st Instant I received a Letter from General Lee a Copy of which is Inclosed, I returned him for Answer that my Division was Posted at...
75To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 24th Instant[.] I do not recollect to have Sent any Letters by the Fridays Post who lost his Mail in an Infamous manner. I have Also received from Colo. Harrison, the Resolves of the Honble Continental Congress of the 19th Instant, with a Signification of your Excellencys Pleasure that they should be Published in orders, which...
76From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26th overtook me a few Miles from this place where I arrived this day at Noon. The Enemy gave us not the least Interruption upon our March. I am glad to hear that the Stores that were at Tapan and Slotts Landing are all got safely up; I hope you will have the same good Luck with the Flour. I approve of the Steps you have taken to keep the Tories, in the Neighbourhood of your post,...
77To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 29th Ultimo—and am glad to hear of your Excellency’s safe Arrival at Brunswick, without the least interruption from the Enemy. I am happy to find my honest Endeavours to do my Duty crowned with your Excellency’s Approbation—In addition to the Stores which I before mention’d to have been secured & bro’t off, a Quantity of Pearl-Ash, Bees-Wax,...
78To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received Intelligence that on the 4th Instant about Sun sit Seventy Sail of ships of war and Transport with Troops on Board Sailed with a fair Wind Down the Sound towards New England, Probably to Rhode Island. I have Sent an Express to Governor Trumbull, and to Massachusetts Bay, and have Desired Governor Trumbull to Send an Express to Rhode Island, I have at this Post, Three...
79From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are upon Receipt of this to cross the North River with the Troops under your Command in the Continental Service to wit Parsons’s Brigade & move on so as to give all possible Protection to the Country & Vigour to the Cause. If you could move on towards Morris Town in New Jersey it would be best, as by this Means a Junction may be made if necessary & at all Events such a Movement would...
80To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
yesterday afternoon Lieut. Colonel Vose arrived Here from Albany, with Greatons, Bonds, & Porters Regiments, making in the whole between 5 & 600 men, on their way to Joyn your Excellency, I am Furnishing them with Tents Provisions &c. and not a moments Time shall be lost in facilitateing, their march—They do not disembarke here but fall Down to Haverstraw and will begin their march this Day....
81To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening about 8 O’Clock I received the honor of your’s of the 7th Instt, & immediately gave Orders for the Regiments of General Parsons’s Brigade which are on this Side of Hudson’s River, to pass over which they will do this day —I shall also order Huntington’s & Tyler’s to join them, & pursue the effecting the purposes, which your Excellency has been pleased to point out. This post...
82To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your Orders the night before last for the march of General Parsons’s Brigade, and yesterday noon the Three Regiments at Peeks-Kill began their march, making about 500 men which are now here—I have ordered Huntingtons and Tylers to Joyn me they may make about three Hundred men, after leaving a Captain & 50 men as a Guard at the Pass in the mountains Colonel Vose with Greatons Bonds &...
83From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th Instant has come duly to hand, and am glad to hear that Greatons Bond’s and Porter’s regiments are coming forward to join me; at the same time I must acknowledge I should have been much better satisfied, if they had contained a greater number of men than what you have mentioned: your sending them on with all possible expedition, was exceedingly proper; indeed no time is...
84To George Washington from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 13 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 13 Dec. 1776. On 21 Dec. GW wrote to Heath : “I have been favoured with yours of the 13th Instt.”
85From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 10th Instt. I am extremely pleased by the ready attention you have paid to my Orders and have only to request that you will proceed with your Troops with all possible expedition to Pitts Town, pursuing General Lee’s rout & where I expect you will join him. You will not lose a Moment. The situation of our Affairs demands industry and dispatch on all...
86To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 12th Instant I reached Tapan, and Yesterday made a Forced march to this Place, with so much Secrecy and Dispatch that the Inhabitants had no Knowledge of my Coming, The Enemy had left the Town Some Days Since Except five whom we took, Two of them sick, we have taken about 50 of the Disaffected, and about 50 or 60 Muskets the greater part of which had been taken from the Whigs as is...
87From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I reciev’d your favor of the Eleventh instant, advising me of the march of Parsons Brigade from Pekeskill to join us; I am now to acquaint you that from information reciev’d of the Enemy’s movements, it appears to me that they intend leaving this part of the Country, & to retire towards Brunswick & the towns contiguous to it, perhaps for the purpose of going into Winter quarters, unless indeed...
88From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from the Council of the State of Massachusetts by Major Shaw, informing me he had in charge a few Indians from N. Scotia who were inlisted into the Continental Service; as they will be of no use to me here I have directed Mr Shaw to deliver them into your Care, & request you will employ them in such a manner as you may judge most advantageous to the Service, and...
89From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter just received from the State of Massachusets (Copy of which you have inclosed) I find that they had ordered 6000 Militia to be raised, and appointed the place of rendezvous at Danbury in Connecticut, where they are to meet Genl Lincoln who is to take the Command. You will perceive from the Tenor of the Letter, that the Appearance of the Men of War and Transports off the Coast of N....
90From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 13th Instt and wish you may have succeeded in your intended scheme to dislodge the Enemy from Heckensec bridge. In my Letter of the 18th I transmitted you a Copy of a Letter from the Council of the Massachusets Bay advising that 6000 men were coming from that State under Genl Lincoln to supply the place of the militia which had returned Home and of their...
91To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Honor of yours of the 16th & 18th Instant. I have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that on the 19th Instant a Detachment of our Troops Consisting Partly of Continental Troops and Partly of the Militia of Orange and Ulster Counties, having marched Down to the English Neighbourhood in the night Deceived the Sentinel and Surprised the Out Guard of Colonel Buskirks...
92To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
yesterday General Wadsworths Brigade went Home leaving the Stores without a Guard Untill I sent one Down. The Militia of this State are Coming in—None have as yet arrived from the Eastward, Brigadier General Warner was at Danbury the Last night with 4 Companies Only—more are Hourly Expected—General Lincoln is on the Road, I have Sent your Excellency’s Letter by Express to meet him. I have...
93From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Head Quarters, New Town [Pa.] 28 December 1776 . Acknowledges receipt of “Your favor of the 21st Instant” and encloses a duplicate of his letter to Heath of that date “least that should have miscarried.” GW then repeats almost verbatim the text of his letter to Hancock of 27 Dec. concerning the Battle of Trenton. “I some time ago, mentioned to you the importance, of attacking the Enemy’s...
94From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of informing you Yesterday of our Success at Trenton, I have received Advice that Count Donnop with the remainder of the Enemy’s Army, immediately upon the News, decamped, and was on his Retreat towards South Amboy. On hearing this Genl Ewing and Colo. Cadwallader passed the River with the Troops under their command, and Genl Mifflin will follow this day with a...
95To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 21st Inst., & am much distressed to hear of the disagreable Situation that your Excellency is like soon to be in. None of the Eastern Militia have as yet arrived that I know of except those mention’d in my Letter of Yesterday —When they come in I shall endeavor strictly to observe your Excellency’s Directions. It is truly surprising that whilst...
96From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your favor of the 26th, and am sorry Genl Wadsworth’s Brigade should have left the Stores in such a situation. I hope you have secured ’em all. I had flattered myself that many of the Eastern Troops, if not the Whole, had got to Pecks Kills before the date of your Letter. I refer you to my last for what I would have done with ’em, & only shall add on that Subject, That I...
97To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Day before yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 27th Decr and most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on your Signal victory over the Enemy at Trenton, This will be Productive of the Best Consequences, and has already given New Life to Our affairs. The last night I had the Honor of yours of the 28th Containing the agreable News of the Retreat of Count Donnop—I am Extremely...
98To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that Major General Lincoln has just arrived at this Post, but his Troops have not as yet got in, except about Two Regiments. That no time should be lost I have been sending over a Quantity of provisions to Haverstraw, and as soon as the Militia arrive in sufficient numbers shall pass over with them—A Body of the Militia belonging to this State,...
99From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have made a Successfull attack upon Princeton—General Howe advanced upon Trenton—we evacuated the Town, & Lay at the other-side of the Mill Creek until dark, then Stole a March and attackd Princeton about nine o Clock in the Morning—there were three Regiments quarterd there, the Killd, wounded, and prisoners taken amounts to about 500, The enemy are in great Consternation, and as the...
100From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 5th from Pluckemin, a Copy of which I inclose, least the Original should have miscarried. I confirm all the Orders given in mine of the 5th only that I would (if it is agreeable to you both) have Genl Lincoln continue with you, and let some other proper Officer conduct the Troops who are to join me. But this I leave intirely to yourselves. I beg you will keep up every...