121From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Letter of the 11th Instant—and I am also to acknowledge the receipt of the one that came by Mr Holker. When I wrote you on the 29th of October and the 6th of November—Congress seemed to apprehend that an Attack might be made on Boston—and indeed it was the opinion of many. This consideration—as your services in such case might have been very essential there—and...
122From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had your favor duly handed me of the 25th Ultimo. Perfectly satisfied in your recommendation of Major Lyman, I should not hesitate on the propriety of serving him. But on considering the situation of those corps, attatched to no one State; with the inexpediency of augmenting the number of their officers, in the present circumstances of the army; and at a juncture, when we have been obliged...
123From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter to the honorable the council of Massachusetts, by which you will observe I am directed by Congress to appropriate the cannon lent this State, to the defence of the posts on Hudsons river. I have to request you to seal the letter, and deliver it to the council. And further, upon receiving the councils permission, that you will take the most effectual and immediate...
124From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 8th inst. with its inclosures—I have reason to hope that the extremity of distress to which the troops at the Eastward have been exposed for want of bread will be relieved and that the Commissary will have it in his power to prevent its happening again. The state of our money involves a variety of distracting difficulties which are rather to be lamented...
125From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favors this morning—I have only to request you will take the best measures in your power to ascertain the enemy’s movements and designs, and have your troops in readiness to act as occasion may require but without interrupting the works. You will continue to advise me. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obet, servant P.S. I think it will be adviseable to detach a couple hundred men...
126From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consideration of the scarcity of forage, where you now are, and the plenty, which you mention to be at the Continental village, I think it will be best for one or both the Brigades, Parsons & Huntington’s to move to that place—Nixon’s will remain where it is. In this position it will be necessary to be very vigilant against a surprise, particularly from a sudden movement of the enemy by...
127From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this morning by General Woodford—I am glad to find the ideas of your letter correspond with mine —You will act accordingly—It is the more necessary to proceed with caution as I have just received advice from General Gates, that a considerable detachment sailed from Rhode Island the 25th instant, steering a Western course —This seems to indicate some serious design this way. I am...
128From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Baron De Steuben will have the pleasure of delivering you this. He waits upon you to make some arrangements in your division relatively to his department, in which I am persuaded you will chearfully cooperate. His important services intitle him to our confidence & esteem. I am Sir Your most Obedt servant LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers. The general orders...
129From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received Your favors of the 1st 2d & the present date. I do not yet know in what light Captain Cole will be considered, whether as a prisoner of War, or a Citizen. I have written to Major Talmadge to inform me of the circumstances of his capture. The Deserters to Bedford, I think, had better go to Connecticut. Directions will be given for purchasing their Arms—and as to the sum to...
130From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received repeated intelligence this morning that besides the detachment which went from New Haven, the enemy in considerable force was moving by land towards horse neck, with a good many pieces of Artillery and a large number of Waggons. My accounts are that the first mentioned detachment had left New Haven, gone to Fairfield burnt the Town reimbarked and were off Norwalk, where ’tis...