To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 October 1779
From Major General William Heath
Mandevilles [Dutchess County, N.Y.]
Octr 17th 79
Dear General
I am honored with yours of this date encloseing one to Major General Howe which shall be forwarded immediately1—I am just informed by the Officer of the Village2 Pickett that an Officer who was sent down early this morning to re[c]oinoitre Ver Planks Point reported that he saw a large Transport laying off against the Point very full of men—Perhaps it may be the relief for the Garrison at the Points3 mention’d by several of the late Deserters but untill that is fully ascertaind I shall endeavour to keep up every necessary precaution.4 I have the honor to be very respectfully your Excellencys most Obedt Servt
W. Heath
LS (retained copy), MHi: Heath Papers.
1. Probably referring to his second letter to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe of this date, GW wrote to Heath on this date from headquarters: “The inclosed which you will be pleased to forward is left open for your perusal, that you may take such steps as the information requires” (Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
2. Heath is referring to Continental Village, New York.
3. Heath is referring to Stony Point and Verplanck Point, New York.
4. A letter from British captain Edward Williams, brigade major of the Royal Artillery, to British lieutenant John Smith of the Royal Artillery, dated 18 Oct. at New York, reads in part: “I am directed by M. Genl [James] Pattison to inform you that there are two Sloops & two Skows sent up to King’s Ferry, to receive the Artillery & Stores at Stoney Point & Verplank’s, when Orders shall be given for evacuating those Posts” ( 132).