31From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 20th—The disposition you have made of the troops at and near West point is agreeable to me. The two small Regiments at present at King’s Ferry were purposely stationed there, because they could not be Brigaded with convenience—They are shortly to be reformed and incorporated, and had therefore best remain where they are untill that time. Genl Greene had proposed to...
32From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to find by yours of the 26th ulto that you are again involved in difficulties on the score of Bread. I flatered myself that your wants on that account had been overcome, and that you would not have been again distressed throughout the Winter. We are in a better situation than we were, but we may yet be said to be living from hand to mouth, never having more than two or...
33From George Washington to William Heath, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of the 1st inst. and one by Capt. Webb, and am happy to hear that you meet with such little disturbance from the Enemy in your department.I have it now in my power to congratulate you on the arrival of Count de Grasse with 28 Ships of the Line & some Frigates, in the Chesapeack, with a body of Land forces on board, which he debarked immediately on his arrival.on...
34From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16th Ulto only came to hand Two days ago. The arrivals which you mention and the capture of the Brig. by Commodore Manly are fortunate circumstances. The Cargoes are valuable & such as we wanted. In respect to General Spencers claim of pay on the footing of a separate command, It is what I do not conceive myself authorized to allow. I know of but One separate command in the...
35From George Washington to William Heath, 1 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are three plans for settling the mode of succession in the Medical department. They have been submitted to me by the Board of War, but previous to giving my opinion, I shall be glad to be favored with those of the General Officers. You will be pleased to call them together as soon as convenient and report to me which plan they seem to approve, with any amendments which may appear to...
36From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th March. I have had no request as yet from the Council of your State, for part of the new arrived Arms, to put into the hands of such of your Troops as were ready and only waited for them, but I desire that as many as are necessary, may be immediately drawn, and the Troops forwarded. So that there can be no further plea for delay upon that head. One thing I must...
37Instructions 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...
38From 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...
39From 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....
40From 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...
41From George Washington to William Heath, 24 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Previous to your departure from the Army, I wish to take an oppertunity of expressing my sentiments of your Services—my obligations for your assistance—& my wishes for your future felicity. Our object is at last attained—the arrangements are almost compleated—and the day of seperation is now at hand—Permit me therefore to thank you for the trouble you have lately taken in the arrangement of...
42From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having been desired by Congress to place some other in the room of General Ward, I have to request you will receive the command from him and hold it till further orders. I have accordingly desired him to resign it to you. I am Sir Your most Obedient servant LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently sent this letter with...
43From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of the 19th that such progress had been made in forwarding the Cloathing from Boston to Springfeild &ca. I think you did right under the appearance of matters, to send the unmade Cloathing out of town, and I would recommend it to you to keep the Bulk still there, bringing it in as the Taylers want it. By a letter from Genl Greene of the 19th I am informed that the...
44From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 19th May. General De Coudrée arrived here last night, and set off this morning for Philadelphia. What his engagements with Mr Dean are, I cannot say; but as he is represented to be a Gentleman of great ability in his profession, I dare say his expectations are high. Congress will undoubtedly make a genteel and honorable provision for him; but I hope it may be done, in...
45From George Washington to William Heath, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Pickering is in want of Three Travelling Forges to compleat the number for the Troops on this side the River, I wish you to supply them from your Command, and have them replaced from West Point, where there is a number that may be fit for service with very small repairs. I am Sir Your Most Humble Servant MHi : Heath Papers.
46From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of yesterday, I have to observe; that it appears to me there can be no propriety, in arresting an Officer, in ordinary cases, a long time before he can be brought to tryal; And that in the instance of Major Reed, upon his being brought before the Court, they would be the proper Judges, whether the Proceedings should be postponed, ’till further evidence was obtained. In...
47From David Humphreys to William Heath, 17 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency wishes the distribution of the State Cloathing of Massachusetts may not be made, until the arrival of the Officer send by the Marquis to procure Cloathing for the Detachment of the Massachusetts line under his Command—As a part of that Cloathing may be necessary for these Troops—Capt. Heart, the bearer, informs the Officer may be expected every Moment. I have the honor to be...
48From George Washington to William Heath, 26 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 25th containing the Dispatches from Sir Guy Carleton; and the other Papers mentioned therein. I return those belonging to the British Officers on Parole at Dobbs Ferry, who may be permitted to go into the Enemy’s Lines—In future you will be pleased in the first instance to grant Flags to all such Persons as shall have Passports for the purpose from Congress,...
49From George Washington to William Heath, 17 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your three favors of the 15th. A Copy of your Application in favor of Colo. Greatons Appointment to be a Brigadier, is submitted to the Consideration of the Sectry at War, with my Approbation—and the promotion will probably take place. The Commandg Officer of the post at Dobbs Ferry, should undoubtedly be furnished with a public Horse for the purpose of sendg by Land such...
50From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning the inclosed Resolve of Congress came to my hands. As Sir Henry Clinton never complied with the request of granting passports for the transportation of Flour by Water it becomes necessary that the Convention troops should, without loss of time, be put in motion for Charlotteville in Virginia agreeable to the order of Congress. You will be pleased to signify...
51From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 6th and 8th Instants. I particularly alluded to Henley’s, Lees, and Jacksons Regiments when I expressed my surprize, that they had not been innoculated, as they had lain so long in Boston. I hope that very strict attention will be paid to that matter against the next Campaign: We find upon a scrutiny there are upwards of Two thousand Men to be innoculated in Camp at...
52From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured successively with your letters of the 30th & 31st Ulto and the 1st & 2d inst. Inclosed you will receive a warrant for the money due on your account. In respect to the removal of the chain, I am of opinion it ought neither to be taken up too soon, nor suffered to remain too late, I could wish you to have every thing in readiness by the time you mention, & shall speak to...
53From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night favored with yours of yesterday. The two Connecticut Brigades are to Encamp on the west side of the river, as it may be a day or two before they march. All detachments from those Brigades should be called in, upon giving the Adjutant General notice that he may relieve them by others, except the party under the command of Major Throop, at work upon the redoubts, which cannot...
54From George Washington to William Heath, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 7th Inst. The Letter from Governor Greene to which you allude, has never been received. Finding that it may be necessary to commence our operations at an earlier period than was expected, I have called upon the States, to have the Militia required of them, raised & marched in such time as that they will join the Army punctually by the 15th of July. It is my...
55From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have but a moment to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of this date. I beg of you to charge Lt Edes to be attentive to the Water Guards about Verplanks point—and the Guards at West point to the Order I requested you to Issue, relative to Boats passing after Tattoo. The perspective delivered by Lt Edes belongs to me—which with the other articles (supposed to be Humphreys’s) had better be...
56From George Washington to William Heath, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 30th of Decemr and 1st and 3d instants. Having no papers with me but those of a late date, I cannot recollect the circumstances of the arrangement of the Captains of the Massachusetts Line, to which you refer. If it was ever made and delivered in, it must be among my papers on the hands of Colo. Varrick at Poughkepsie; you will therefore be pleased to write to...
57From George Washington to William Heath, 6 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is represented to me, that Capn Day, of the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, is now, not only able to attend his Duty in Camp, but that, his long absence, is considered in an unfavorable point of Light, by the Inhabitants in the part of the Country where he resides. As you will remember, the Appointment of Capn Day to superintend & Muster the Recruits at Springfield, was made in Consequence of...
58From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 3d 7th and 12th. Nothing has given me more uneasiness than the Complaints of want of cloathing for the Troops of your State, especially as I had been led to beleive that they were most amply provided. I have ordered all the Cloathing now coming on to stop at Peekskill, and the Cloathier General has sent up a deputy to distribute it to those who want. As it consists...
59From George Washington to William Heath, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Within a few Days I have been favored with your several Letters of the 24th, & 30th of Ulto & the 3d of the present Month, with their Inclosures—And am much pleased to find, that Matters wear so favorable an Aspect at the Northward—The Season being so far advanced, and the Prospects of the Enemy appearing to be on the decline, I hope we shall have but little more Trouble from that Quarter. The...
60From George Washington to William Heath, 24 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of Yesterdays date are come to Hand. I approve your proposition of four light Infantry Companies instead of five, doing the Duty of the Lines in future—and you will give your Orders accordingly as soon as you please. With much Regard I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt Servant MHi : Heath Papers.
61From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the Enemy must pass this place before they can attempt the Posts above, and as your Troops there, are new augmented, I would have you pick out a body of about Eight hundred or a thousand light active men, and good Marksmen (Including the light Infantry and Riflemen) ready to move this way upon the appearance of the Shipping coming up, or upon the commencement of the Canonade of any of our...
62From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored upon my arrival here, with your several Letters of the 28th and 29th Ulto also the 1st and 3d Instant. I am informed that the salted Beef which was expected from the Eastward, has come forward; and am to request that 100 Barrels of it, may be immediately embarked and sent to Albany, while the River remains open, for the use of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler: the remainder...
63From 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...
64From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. Varick and Major Franks late of General Arnolds family having requested of me a Court of inquiry to ascertain the part they acted relative to the transactions of General Arnold; you will be pleased to appoint a Court of Inquiry, to examine into the conduct of the Gentlemen in their connection with the late Major General Arnold, during his command at West-point, and relative to the...
65From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that in the night of the 18th Major Lee with a detachment of 400 men surprised the enemy’s garrison at Powles-hook (which you know is within cannon shot of the batteries at New York)—& brought off the garrison consisting of about 150 Men. Such repeated instances of disgrace to the British arms will undoubtedly, make them feel sore, & seek opportunities to...
66From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favs. of the 31st ulto and 2d and 3d instants. As I do not think myself at liberty to grant Genl Hamiltons request without the concurrence of Congress I have transmitted the Copy of his letter to them and have desired their immediate answer, that if they do not chuse to comply, the Flag Vessel may not be unnecessarily detained. I have sent Officers to meet the troops at Enfeild and...
67Instructions and Orders for Brigadier General William Heath, 19 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
As you are Forthwith to take upon You the Command of the Brigade, now upon their March to Norwich in Connecticutt, consisting of the 5th, 16th, 19th, 24th & 25th Regiments, you will without Delay proceed to Norwich where you will confer with the persons appointed to provide Vessells for the Transportation of The Troops to New York; Dispatch, & Secrecy are necessary in Embarquing, & Sailing...
68From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 20 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did not expect that the Postscript to my letter of the 14th (written in much haste) requesting only a Suspencion of your order of the 13th untill the hurry of the business I was then engaged in should be a little over , would have drawn from you such a letter as yours of the 16th, which did not come to my hands till the evening of the 18th. I neither questioned your right to issue orders for...
69From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favs. of the 7th and 10th instants. I am pleased to find from the Copy of the letter from Bordeaux that matters wore so good a face in France, it is more than probable that they will push an advantagious Trade with us before a formal declaration of War, indeed if they were to strike a Blow before the declaration, they would only repay England, for playing a Game of the same kind in...
70From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favors of the 10th & 11th Instant. I had always considered you as having the command of the Troops at Fish Kill. and am fully of your opinion that an investigation into the issues of Provision at that place, and the Landing is absolutely necessary—You will be pleased therefore to take such Measures as you think proper to detect the abuses in this or any other article...
71From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to William Heath, 8 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs me to reply to the several Queries contained in your Letter of this Day—and to inform you that the mode you propose for Officering the four Regiments, is perfectly agreeable to him—or any other method that you shall find necessary to accomodate to the Views of the Officers concerned, so as to make the matter as agreable as possible to them. This he leaves entirely to...
72From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Hopkins of Colonel Moylans Light Dragoons goes to Boston to procure Cloathing & accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign. As the prices of many articles have risen from there being too great a number of Bidders, I have directed the Captain, if there are any Persons Purchasing for the Continent not to interfere with them, but, to apply to them for such articles as he...
73From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd a letter from the secretary of the Board of War in which he complains that you have drawn Arms for the full Complement of Henly’s, Lee’s and Jackson’s Regiments when there is scarce any chance of their being compleated, I therefore desire if the matter is so, that you may return all the supernumerary Arms into the Magazine at Springfield or Brookfield. As you will...
74From 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.
75From George Washington to William Heath, 22 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the Order of this day you will see the Army is to go into Tents as soon as conveniently may be—The ground of Encampment for the different Corps ought to be as contiguous to their present Cantonments as the Nature of the ground will admit. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servant MHi : Heath Papers.
76From 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...
77From David Humphreys to William Heath, 14 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief having recd your Letter of the 13th inclosing the Arrangements of the reformed Regts & Corps in this Cantonment, directs me to acknowledge it, & to inform you that he fully approves of the alteration you have made, as well as of such others as you may judge proper & conducive to the good of service. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Sir Your Most...
78From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Some days ago, General McDougall informed me, that a Majr Hayes (I think that was the name)—or Hughes, had suggested to him, that the Inhabitants of Westchester County could, without inconvenience to themselves, spare at least Ten thousand Bushels of Indian Corn and Five hundred Tons of Hay; and that a number of Pettiaugua’s sent to the nearest good Landings to the Foragers (but not too low...
79From George Washington to William Heath, 4 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th Inst. with the several inclosures has been duly receivd. I cannot but hope your decision respecting the soldiers under sentence for desertion will be attended with beneficial consequences. It is a fortunate circumstance that the Troops will be recoverd from the small Pox at so early a period as will afford time for establishing discipline and making preparations for the...
80From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is my intention that General Nixon shall form a junction with General Howe at Pines’ bridge Croton River. This you will communicate to him, and send to Genl Howe to know, when he espects to be there; and let General Nixon begin his march so as to arrive there nearly at the same time with him. You will give General Nixon your instructions accordingly, and advise him to be cautious in his...