51To 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...
52To 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...
53To 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,...
54To 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...
55To 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....
56To 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...
57To 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 &...
58To 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.”
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To 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...
62To 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...
63To 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...
64To 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,...
65To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your’s of the 31st of December, & 5th & 7th of Jany. In my last I mentioned to your Excellency the taking of one Strang & the Appointment of a General Court martial for his Tryall—The Court gave in their Judgment on the 5th Inst. Copy of which I take the Liberty in inclose —I have not as yet approved or disapproved the Sentence, as this is the first Tryal of the...
66To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th Inst. you are pleased to leave the Settlement of the Arms that have been lost, to me—Observing that Justice should be done to the Public & to Individuals—I have been endeavoring to Settle with some of the Regiments, but I find the matter so embarrass’d, that I cannot compleat it without again applying to your Excellency for Direction. Some Regiments, in...
67To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received the Honor of yours of the 9th Instant, and have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that I am moving towards New York with all Possible Expedition our Numbers are between Two and Three Thousand, And Hope Soon to give your Excellency Some Particulars which I dare not write at this Time, least the Letter should fall into the Hands of the Enemy—your Excellency may be...
68To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 14th & 17th Inst. Yesterday morning about Sunrise our Troops in Three Divisions arrived in the Neighbourhood of Fort Independence—the Right Division by the Albany Road, the Centre by Stephen Ward’s, & the left by East Chester—Upon our Approach the Enemy fled to Fort Independence; leaving 15 Muskets at one place & Ten at another, besides Blankets...
69To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your’s of the 19th Instant. In my last I informed your Excellency of our Arrival in the Neighbourhood of Fort Independence, and of our taking a number of Arms —In stead of 15 at one place, we took upwards of 40, & about as many Blankets. I also mention’d in my last our Intention of Attacking the Hessians at the Bridge, the next day—Every praparation was made & the...
70To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 27th Instant. The last Evening we moved back from the Neighbourhood of Kingsbridge—General Lincoln’s Troops to Dobbs’s Ferry, & Tarry Town—the Connecticut Militia to N. Rochell; and the York Militia towards White Plains—This remove was for the following reasons. We could not reduce the Fort by Cannonade, being destitute of proper Artillery—As to...
71To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Informed by a Letter from General Wooster who is at New Rochell, That fourteen Ships, Three Schooners and Two Sloops have Just Come too between Heart and City Islands so that another Peice of Intelligence given us by our late Informant may be true to wit that Lord Piercy with the Troops from Rhode Island was to land in our Rear and Surround us—so that most Probably our remove...
72To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you last 12 more Ships have come down the Sound—4 of which were supposed to be of 40 Guns. We are informed from Long Island that General How is arming the Militia for the Defence of the Island—and that such as refuse to take arms are imprison’d. I have formed our Line on this Side from Tarry Town to Maroneck, with our Guards as far down as Stephen Wards, from which we scout &...
73To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Goodrich was Taken at Quebeck on the 31st of Decemr 1775 When General Montgomery made his Unfortunate attempt upon that City—Capt. Goodrich is a Brave and Good officer, He was not Exchanged Untill Since Christmass—And has as yet no Appointment in Our Army—His Zeal for the Publick Service is Such that upon Hearing the Army stood in need of a Reinforcment He Immediately...
74To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Honor of your’s of the 2nd Instant. Nothing material hath happened since my last —We have been busily engaged in foraging, and have collected considerable Quantities—To morrow morning we are to make a grand forage in N. Rochell and East Chester—Our Chain of Troops for covering the foragers, is to form a little East of Williams’s Tavern—The Loss of the forage to the...
75To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I received the honor of yours of the 3d & 4th Instant, which has given me great Pain—Perhaps I may venture to say that no Officer is more attentive to Orders or more anxious to carry them into Execution than I am—When I received your Excellency’s Orders to march towards Kingsbridge, nothing could be more agreable than the Manoeuvre; but I cannot say the taking the Command of a...
76To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Opinion of Mr Duer & other Gentlemen of the Committee of Convention of the State of New York —Since I wrote mine of Yesterday, I have seen General Lincoln & Mr Duer, both of whom are in sentiment with me that there is but little prospect of Advantage from an attempt to surprise Fort Independence, as the Enemy appear very alert—I have ordered the Troops to be in readiness to...
77To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I arrived at this Place, and Tomorrow morning shall Set out for Boston, The Spread of the Small Pox at and near Stanford in the State of Connecticut, is alarming I am Informed that Some of the Inhabitants are Secretly Inoculating their Families, I yesterday wrote to Governor Trumbull on the Subject—Some of our Prisoners have been Sent out of New York Undoubtedly Infected with...
78To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Instant being on my Journey back to the Army, I received the Honor of yours of the 3rd Instant, and Immediately turned back. Since my first arrival in this Quarter, I have in Obedience to your Excellency’s Orders of the 9th Ultimo been Endeavouring to forward the Troops to Tyconderoga, part of four Regiments vizt Colo. Marshalls, Brewers, Bradfords, and Francis’s have marched, and...
79To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on the arrival of the French Storeship at Portsmouth Intelligence of which together with the Invoice of the Stores I suppose you Received Some Days Since ⅌ the Express, I hope this to be but the foretaste of a Plentifull Harvest from the Same Quarter, and Indeed this arrival is very Seasonable for without Some of the Arms, I Cannot at present See...
80To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 13th Instant and immediately gave Orders Accordingly. Brigadiers General Nixon, and Glover with Colonels Greaton, Sheppard, Nixon, Putnam, Wigglesworth, Alding, Bigelow, and late Pattersons, Regiments I have Ordered to Peeks-Kill, Brigadier General Patterson, with Colonels Marshall, Brewer, Bradford, Frances, Bailey, Wesson & Jacksons Regiments to...
81To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Monsieur Mauduit de Plesis, who lately arrived here with the French General De Borre—He has represented to the Council of this State, that he is charged with Dispatches to the Honble Congress—The Council have desired me to assist & forward him. I take the Liberty to enclose Copy of a Letter from Col. Wayne dated at Ticonderoga the 25th of March 1777,...
82To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received pr Col. Johonnot the honor of your’s of the 29th ultimo—and observe your Excellency’s pressing & positive Orders for hastening the Troops—This I have been doing with unremitted Assiduity—and the moment a Detachment is equipped I order them to march—There are now on the march to Peeks-kill, a Detachment of Col. Greaton’s Regt upwards of One Hundred fine Fellows well armed...
83To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received the honor of yours of the 30th ultimo and the 1st Instant & this moment that of the 5th. The Troops mention’d in my last as nearly ready have since marched, as have also about 60 of Col. Crane’s Regt of Artillery, who are now pushing their way to join your Excellency—A Second Division of Col. Bailey’s marches to morrow for Ticonderoga—The Hospitals are now opened...
84To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 10th. In my last I mention’d to your Excellency having sent to Portsmouth, to forward 3,000 Arms to Springfield —Major Barber the Commissary of Artillery Stores, whom I sent for the purpose informs me that upon his Arrival there—the Honble Mr Langdon, the Continental Agent informed him that Three Thousand Arms had been just sent on to Connecticut, but...
85To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Information from the Council that 25 Cases of Arms, are arrived from Martinico, consigned to the Council but belonging to the United States—The Council have directed the Master to deliver them to my Order—I shall immediately deposit them, and wait your Excellency’s Orders. A Paragraph in the Letter from the Gentleman at Martinico, who Shiped the Arms, is as follows—...
86To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I most Heartily Congratulate Your Excellency on the Safe arrival of the ship Amphitrite, at Portsmouth from L’Orient in France, with a most Vallueable Cargo for the United States Manifest of which will be Handed to you by mr Champney the Express. I am Pushing off the Troops with all Possible dispatch to the Places of Destination, A Second Detachment from Colo. Cranes Battalion of artillery...
87To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Colonel Conway lately arrived from France & engaged by Mr Dean to enter the Service of the United States of America —He is accompanied by Two other Gentlemen viz. Capt. Balme and Monsr Danmours —The Three appear to be Officers of Abilities—They inform me that Mr Dean promised them that their Expences should be born to Philadelphia &c.—I must confess I scarcely...
88To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of your’s of the 18th Instant—In my last I observed that I had sent an Express to the Hon. Mr Langdon —he returned me an Answer last night, that he would upon the Commissary’s Coming down again deliver him the Stores, & afford him all the Assistence in his power to remove them—I have ordered him down immediately. The Lead Ball, Flints, Powder & Tents, I have...
89To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Mullen (accompanied by Monsr Du Bouchet Brother in law to Col. Conway) who came from France in the Ship Amphitrite—He appears to be a very good Officer, & I think would make a most excellent Major of Brigade, if your Excellency should think it proper. The Assembly of this State have Resolved to complete their 15 Battalions by Draught, which is to be made on...
90To George Washington from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777. GW wrote Heath on 18 May : “Your favour of the 9th instant by Capt: Mullen is this day handed me.”
91To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd the Honor of yours of the 16th Ulto and 2d Instant. I wrote your Excellency in a former Letter that Mr Langdon had consented to deliver the Cannon, Ordnance & Military Stores lately arrived at Portsmouth to Mr Barber, which he has since done. They are now forwarding with all possible despatch. Inclosed is the Return of what has been sent on in the course of the last week, Ten...
92To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Post setting off rather sooner on Monday than common prevented mine of the 11th Instant being forwarded by him. An application from Governor Trumbull of Connecticutt to Mr Langdon, copy of which Mr Langdon has ⟨Sent m⟩e occasions my writing to your Excellency by Express. ⟨Governo⟩r Trumbull has represented to Mr Langdon that the State of Connecticutt seems now “to be the Object of the...
93To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Saturday last the General Court Martial appointed for the Tryal of Lieut. Colonel Farrington of Colo. Putnams Regiment (charged with behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner) gave in their Judgment that He was Guilty of the Charge alledged against him & have adjudged him to be discharged from the Army—Incapable to serve in the Continental Service and ordered him to be published in the News...
94To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 10th Instant, and immediately sent on Lt Colo. Sprout who is an Active Spirited Officer to correct those Abuses committed by the Troops on the March mentioned by your Excellency. I have desired the same of General Nixon who is also on his journey to Pecks Kill, at which place he will have arrived before this reaches you. But surely all the Troops have...
95To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Carnes being now in waiting, I have Time only to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 18th Instant and shall pay strict attention and obediance thereto, General Glover and Colo. Pickering set out this day or to morrow to join the Army And the French Officers on Monday, In my next I will transmit to your Excellency a Return of such Stores and Ordnance as are gone on to...
96To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Glover and Colo. Pickering being waiting to proceed on their Journey to the Army, I have only time to acknowledge the honor of yours of the 23d Ulto, and beg leave to inform your Excellency, that notwithstanding the Distresses of the Soldiery sent from this State to Peekskill for want of Cloathing, and an Officer from each Regiment Stationed there having come here to procure it. It...
97To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the enclosed Line from Cohoss, from the Revd Doctr Langdon of Cambridge. It was wrote to the Doctr by Colo. Hurd of the Militia who lives at Haverhill, in the State of New Hampshire, about 150–Miles from St Johns. The Doctr informs me that he is a Man of Veracity and thinks the Account may be depended on; if so little is to be feared from that Quarter. One of our State,...
98To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 1st Instant. A privateer Schooner arrived here the last Night from a Cruize. She has taken two prises, one laden with Coal, the other with Oats &c.—The privateer fell in with a Fleet of Transports with the Hessian Troops on Board under Convoy of a 50 Gun Ship & Frigate from whome he received considerable damage —The Capt. of the privateer reports...
99To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last the Deputy Pay Master Genl has received from the Honble Continental Congress, Warrents on the Loan Office for a Supply of Monies. We have purchased about One Hundred Horses for the Cannon and Ammunition Waggons, As soon as the latter are compleated, the whole will be sent on without loss of time. Saturday last a prize Brig. was sent in Here by Comodore Manly. She was bound from...
100To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received a Letter from General Putnam, in which he observes that he has just received an Express from your Excellency purporting that an Attack on the Army more immediately under your own Command was shortly expected, and requesting that Reinforcements may be forwarded as fast as possible, I shall exert my utmost endeavors to push on all such Troops as are ready. Colo....