7601To George Washington from William Heath, 15 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
There are reports from below that a general embargo was laid the last week on all shipping at New York—that several merchants who had shipped their effects for England were obliged to land them again, and are murmuring much—that the hands employed on private buildings in the city are stopped working—that general Kniphausen is to embark soon for Europe—that Arnold’s corps is ordered down to...
7602To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to address your Excellency under this days date, the British Fleet have appeared off this place to the number of Sixteen or eighteen Sail. A Gentleman has just arrived here from Salem, who brings an account of the arrival of the Continental Ship Alliance at Boston, and many other particulars of news. He has also brought a Boston News Paper of the 17th instant, which I...
7603To 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...
7604To 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,...
7605To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I was honored with yours of the 12th enclosing one to Major General Howe which I have forwarded to him. The Troops at this Post have experianced the most distressing want of Bread Since your Excellency passed into the Jersies, every exertion has been exercised for their releif both in this vicinity and at a distance it has at length been Obtained, and as their is now plenty of...
7606To George Washington from William Heath, 22 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was lately informed, that a part of colonel Willett’s regiment had been inlisted by the state of New York for the term of three years upon the footing of a state regiment; upon which I wrote governor Clinton for information. I take the liberty to inclose his answer, and request your Excellency’s opinion and direction, apprehending you have some knowledge of the intentions of the state and of...
7607To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of yesterday, have instructed Lt Colonel Hull conformably & ordered 100 men from the New Hampshire Line to reinforce him. I have also ordered 100 men under the command of a Major, to march this morning towards Pompton, to cover the Public Stores at Ringwood. The Major is instructed on his arrival, at the most convenient & advantageous place for that purpose, to...
7608To 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...
7609To George Washington from William Heath, 17 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Heath, 17 Sept. 1779. On 18 Sept., GW wrote Heath: “I have your favors of the 14th & 17th.”
7610To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received the enclosed yesterday pr Express from Mr Sargent whom I am informed is State Attorney in the State of Pennsylvania, but altogether unknown to me. What I know of the matter is, that Some time in the year 1778 while I had the Command in Boston Several of the Soldiers under the Convention of Saratogo practised deceptions on the recruiting officers in and about that place by dressing...
7611To 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...
7612To George Washington from William Heath, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor last to address your Excellency from Hartford the 13th Instant, with a representation of my proceedings to that time, The next morning Governor Trumbull, informed me, that there were seven Thousand Barrels salted meat, in the State of Connecticut, which may be depended on for the army, and at least Two Thousand Barrels of Fish, with Forty Hhd Rum at Hartford, and Fifteen at...
7613To 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...
7614To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Order to Ease Head Quarters as much as Possible, And on Account of our Distance from thence, General or Garrison Court Martials have been Appointed at this Post for the Tryal of Offenders, Brigadier General Mifflen has Sent me the Inclosed this Day, But I pause Untill I Know your Excellency’s Pleasure (which I Desire you would be pleased to Signify as Soon as Convenient) whether the before...
7615To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 9th instant. I hope your Excellency’s representation to the honorable the Congress of the necessity of this post being supplied with Flour before the roads are rendered impassable will have the desired effect. The commissary has just informed me that there is not a barrel of Flour in the Store; but the Troops are served for two days, in which time I hope...
7616To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Colonel Armand is here with a number of recruiting Officers of his Corps. He has for some time been expecting orders from Congress to inlist such of the foreign Troops as appear disposed to enter our service, and is continually harrassing me to Cloath such as he has already inlisted—I wish to do every thing in my power to promote the public service, but at present am at a loss in this...
7617To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor last to write your Excellency I have been closely employed in forming the Militia who have been comeing to our Aid into Brigades and makeing other necessary arrangments. Two thousand men have been & still are advanced near this Town about 1500 at Butts hill and the remainder at Howlands and Bristol Ferry perhaps a greater spirit never was discovered than has been on the...
7618To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have had no certain intelligence of the Fleet since I wrote your Excellency on Yesterday Many doubt whether any considerable number of large Ships were seen at all, and suppose it was only a number of Cruizers with their prizes. We have a number of Boats in the Bay, and persons by Land, upon the whole I beleive the Report has but little foundation, and was chiefly Imaginary, I thought it my...
7619To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with yours of 1st 2’d & 5th Instant. I am happy to hear that Some relief of Flour may be expected from Easton and Sussex County. We are impatiently looking out for it’s arrival. The patience, temper and spirit of the Troops under their distresses, are scarcely conceivable. I believe there is not such an other body of men in the World. I shall make particular enquiry...
7620To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I had first the honor of Seeing your Excellency at New Windsor after I left Boston I took the Liberty to mention the case of Capt. Cartwright One of my aids De Campe, your Excellency was pleased to Observe that you had not the resolves of Congress then at Hand —Capt. Cartwright has frequently Since that Time mentioned his Situation, and Since the orders for my removing further from you,...
7621To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning been honored with your several favors of yesterday, to which I shall duly attend. Am happy to hear that a supply of Provisions is coming on; some have already arrived. Colo. Vose informs me the new Road is now passable for Sleighs if there is a sufficiency of Snow. I have given an order for the serjeant of Captain Machin’s company to take four inlisted men to New Windsor:...
7622To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Day before yesterday a Flag from the Enemy, brought to Colo. Armand Four Guineas for Major Bearmore Four Spanish milled Dollars, for Mr Oglivie, and Several articles of Clothing for both, The Clothing is not Specified except what is mentioned in Mr Oglivies Letter, The whole is forwarded by the Bearer Serjt Thomas Boyden, who escortes The five Prisoners mentioned in my Letter of yesterday....
7623To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was a Day or two since honour’d wth yours of the 15th enclosing one for the Honble Council of this State respecting the heavy Cannon, the latter I immediately forwarded to Council, & this Morning have recieved their Permission to remove the Cannon. I have directed the Dy Q. M. Genl to do it with all possible Dispatch. One of the Cannon is at Beverly which will cause some little Delay. They...
7624To George Washington from William Heath, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday after noon, shall proceed to the army the moment I can pack up my papers Baggage &c. and the Quarter Master can furnish me with waggons to receive and transport them. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
7625To George Washington from William Heath, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
In December last I received orders from the honorable the secretary at war to direct the commissaries and all others at West-point and its vicinity who had public provisions in their hands on the first day of January to deliver them to one of the mr Sands, &c. Orders were given conformably. There were at that time fifteen or sixteen hundred barrels of salted provisions in the magazine at...
7626To George Washington from William Heath, 28 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed from Capt. Pray came to hand yesterday. The one from Colonel Greaton, covering one from Major Gotchkins this morning at 2 oClock; if the latter account be true, an evacuation of New York may follow, as the Enemy may be collecting their Force to some other point. I shall order the Army to be in readiness to move on the shortest notice, and endeavour to act as occasion may require...
7627To George Washington from William Heath, 23 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured by colonel Humphrys with a signification of your Excellency’s pleasure that I should be at head-quarters to morrow morning ten o’clock with the other general officers—I had made arrangements to commence my journey eastward to morrow morning, and intended to have paid my respects at head-quarters this evening or in the morning, had I not received the note from colonel...
7628To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to Transmit Intelligence received about Ten oClock the last night from Brigr Genl Parsons. I have the honor to be very respectfully your Excellencys Most Obedient Servt W. Heath P.S. No report this morning. ADfS , MHi : Heath Papers. The enclosure has not been identified.
7629To George Washington from William Heath, 19 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from major Oliver, came to hand the last evening. Inclosed is also a note which I received yesterday from major Maxwell. What encouragement the man wishes or expects, or how far advantage may be derived from him, I cannot say, further than that major Maxwell informed me, before the late attack upon the mail, that he had received information that persons were employed to do it, and...
7630To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Information that a Large Body of the Enemy appeared Opposite to Hunts Point Just before Sun Sit and Pitched their Tents on an Hill to the number of 100 or more[.] it is also Said that numbers of men have been Put on Board the Ships, this Day, I have Ordered the Regiments to lie on their Arms &c. I have the Honor to be &c. with great respect your Excellencys most...
7631To George Washington from William Heath, 28 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 11th and have endeavoured to discharge the trust reposed in me. Enclosed your excellency will find the proceedings of a general court-martial on lieutenant-colonel Badlam of the 8. Massachusetts regiment, and lieutenant Lamont of the invalid regiment. Many other sentences I have passed upon; these extending to dismission from the service, I have thought it my...
7632To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered a Detachment to consist of two Battalions of 250 rank & file each, properly Officered from the Massachusetts Line. One Battalion of 250 rank & file from the Connecticutt Line—One Battalion of 100 rank & file from the New Hampshire Line—and one Battallion of 200 rank & file, half from Colonel Hazens regiment, & the other half from the Detachment on the Lines, in the whole five...
7633To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from his Excellency Govornor Clinton, dated at Poughkeepsie, the 3d inst., in which is the following Paragraph: “By two Expresses, who arrived last night from Albany, I am informed, that the enemy, under Major Carleton, are returning from Ticonderoga towards Skeensborough, with a reinforcement of 500. Their force amounts now to 1600, so that we hourly expect to...
7634To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Frog’s Point, Hunt’s point & Morrisania—I find the Enemy have been all this Day landing Troops on Montrosure’s Island where there appears to be a very large Number of them & Senteries posted all round the Island. In Addition to 150 Men sent down this morning near to Hunt’s point—I have this Evening ordered 200 as a Piquet to rendezvouz, at the Widow Morrises, & have...
7635To George Washington from William Heath, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with yours of the 12th—am happy to hear your Excellency has thought fit to take the several measures mentioned in your letter, to bring forward the provisions—It is an object about which I am at present most concerned—as it is certainly the most threatning circumstance we have to encounter. If relief is seasonably and effectually afforded, I think we have little...
7636To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nearly our whole time for several weeks has been taken up in forwarding provisions, Stores &c. to Rhode Island, and in order to accelerate the operations of the Expedition we have sent to that place all the provisions that could possibly be spared from the Magazines, in particular Flour, of which upwards of 1000 Barrels have been forwarded. The unexpected destination of the Count D’Estaing’s...
7637To George Washington from William Heath, 5 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a New York paper of the 2—the latest I have received. Major Knap, who now commands on the lines, writes me that the enemy have sent up a number of field-pieces to the north end of York island—and that the 17 light dragoons continue towards Kingsbridge—that some are of opinion the enemy intend an excursion to some part of the lines. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect,...
7638To George Washington from William Heath, 7 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed was this moment given me by Judge Lawrence. I apprehend it is beyond a doubt that I am the fourth person. The gun boat is stationed at Fort-Montgomery, with as positive instructions of vigilance as can be given—and I have directed the greatest vigilance in guards and sentinels here—have ordered patroles from all the guards, &c. Your Excellency can form the best judgment, whether...
7639To George Washington from William Heath, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is this moment put into my hand. While your Excellency is with the army, I think it improper for me to grant warrants impress—I therefore beg leave to submit the necessity of an impress warrant being granted for the purposes within mentioned. The case, most certainly, is very urgent. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant, DNA :...
7640To George Washington from William Heath, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 16th and since with the glorious news of the completion of your wishes in the capture of Earl Cornwallis and his army; on which I pray your Excellency to accept my most sincere and hearty congratulations. I have been carefully watching the enemy in this quarter, determined to give them a blow where ever it appeard practicable. But although their force has...
7641To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed request from the Gentlemen of the Hospital, and the paper respecting Colo. Campbell, who is now here, (and I am told was in Canada with General Montgomery) were put into my hand by Major General Greene. I request your Excellency’s opinion and direction respecting them. Two Dragoons of Sheldon’s Regiment were lately Sentenced to be executed: the Sentence has been put in execution...
7642To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days Since honored with a Letter dated Head quarters Ramapaugh 29th June 1780 which from it’s Contents I apprehend to be from your Excellency although the Letter is Without Signature. I thank your Excellency for the assurances of Support in the Expences of my command here, and Shall pay due attention to your instructions respecting Colo. Green’s Regiment and the recruits. Every...
7643From William Heath to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this date, Enclosed you will find Coppy of the System for the Issue of Provisions—as new modified by agrement. I have Issued no order on the Head of the New System during the Absence of the Commander in Chief—not knowing what order he might think proper to Issue on the occasion, but being informed by a Letter from Lt Colonel Cobb, while his Excellency was absent that...
7644To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonels Nicoll DuBois & Drake are just come in and give the following Information vizt That one Mr Cornwall of Cow Neck came over to Frogg’s Point the last Night (Co[r]nwall is a stanch Friend to the Liberties of America, a Relation to Comfort Sands Auditor General of the State of New York) and says that he is a Soldier in the Militia of Cow Neck, under the Command of Capt. Stephen Thorn of...
7645To George Washington from William Heath, 19 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 17th covering several queries, &c.—copy of the queries I have given to major-general Howe and brigadier-general Paterson; should have done the same to baron de Steuben, but he left West-point yesterday afternoon. If your Excellency should not communicate the queries to him before his return I will do it afterwards. I will also state to, and obtain the...
7646To George Washington from William Heath, 13 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
A day or two since I was informed that a large number of arms, (said) seven or eight thousand stand, were brought from the eastward and lodged in stores on the bank of the river at Claverack, and there left without guard or direction that I can hear of. General Schuyler passing that way, apprehending they were in some danger, from the character of the people in the vicinity on the other side...
7647To George Washington from William Heath, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with yours of the 22nd last evening—wrote major Ashley to order mr Darking to return immediately within the enemy’s lines, and have written brigadier-general Birch on the subject, conformably to your excellency’s directions. The letter from governor Livingston to general sir Guy Carleton has been forwarded to Dobbs’s ferry. The enclosed from captain Pray was received this...
7648To George Washington from William Heath, 18 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 7th instant. I have not for a moment neglected the business of my mission, or eased my solicitations to effect it and have the pleasure to assure your Excellency, that there is a disposition in all the New England States, to afford every aid and support you have required as far as is within their power. This Common wealth, have passed the most spirited...
7649To George Washington from William Heath, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since yesterday morning I have obtained a New York paper of the 4. inst. which I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency. Yesterday we began laying the chain across the river—it was fastened on one side but night came on before we could secure the other end—It will be effected to day if the wind is not too fresh. The small pox patients are in a pretty good way, but want exceedingly some...
7650To 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...