From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 July 1779
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters West Point July 16. 1779
Dr Sir,
You will be pleased to march tomorrow morning early towards Peeks Kill—in the vicinity of which1 you will find Major General Howe with a couple of Brigades. The command of the whole will, of course, devolve upon you. He will communicate the instructions he has received by which you will govern yourself.2 Send to hasten on Glovers brigade to join you at the same place. I am Dr Sir Your most Obed. servant
Go: Washington
You may move with expedition but not so as to fatigue your troops, unless the movements of the enemy should require it.
DfS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; copy, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The draft manuscript is addressed to Heath at Canaan, Connecticut. For Heath’s receipt of this letter from GW on 17 July, 9:30 A.M., see Heath to GW, 18 July. For an explanation of how this draft manuscript came to be sent to Heath, see GW’s letter to Heath of 17 July.
1. At this place on the draft manuscript, Hamilton first wrote “Kings ferry—at which place.” He then struck out those words and wrote “Peeks Kill—in the vicinity of which.”
2. GW gave instructions to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe in a letter to him of this date and two letters to him of 17 July.