From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 11 October 1776
To Major General William Heath
Haerlam Heights 11th Octr 1776
Dr Sir,
The Ships which have got up the River with their Tenders (and now two of our Row Galleys) must be well attended to, or they may undertake something against our Stores, Craft, or &ca at Spiten devil—delay no time therefore in having some Work thrown up at the Mouth of that Creek for the defence of what lyes within, & to prevent Surprizes.
A Small number of Troops Imbark’d on Long Island yesterday (behind Montrasors Island) and appeard to steer to the Eastward—How far they went I know not—they were Hessions & of those I saw not more than a hundred—It might not be amiss to inform Gen. Lincoln of this but in such a manr as to occasion a good look out along the Sound without spreading an alarm.1 I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, MHi: Heath Papers.
1. Samuel Blachley Webb wrote to Benjamin Lincoln on this date: “I am directed by his Excellency [GW] to inclose you some minutes delivered him by the Commissary; he conceives the Stores and Provisions to be in very great Danger, and would have every method taken for their Security. He desires you will as soon as may be have the Regiments mentioned Posted in such manner as may be of the greatest Security to that part of the Coast where Stores are hourly collecting” ( , 1:170).