1From George Washington to Robert Howe, 15 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago Mr Sitgreaves gave me the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 4th of May. It is the only one I recollect to have had from you since my return to private life. It gives me pleasure to hear that Congress have dealt honorably by you, & mean to do more; it is devoutly to be wished that they could do the same by all the Officers whose meritorious services & sufferings have a...
2From George Washington to Robert Howe, 26 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
I feel great pleasure in communicating to you the inclosed Resolves of Congress, approving your conduct in the execution of the service on which you have been employed: as well as that of the Troops who were under your Orders. As great part of these Troops have already Returned to West Point, I transmitted the Resolves of Congress to Major General Knox, in a letter of which the inclosed is...
3From George Washington to Robert Howe, 23 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Congress by a Resolve of this date, have directed me to dispose of the Regiment which remains at Philadelphia in any manner I shall see fit. As the business which required the Presence of Troops at Philadelphia is accomplished & the proceedings approved and acted upon by Congress, I am to desire that all the Troops at that place who are able to March may commence it immediately for West point....
4From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
As there is but one Regiment at Philadelphia to March to West Point, and the Troops when they get there take their Orders from the Commanding Officer of the Garrison (agreeably to the Original disposition of them) till Congress shall have determined upon a Peace Establishment; there can be no necessity for your Marching with your present command, in its reduced state to that place. I mention...
5From George Washington to Robert Howe, 31 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your private letter of the 21st, & should have given it an acknowledgement sooner but thought a few days would have let me more into the views of Congress with respect to the Peace Establishment than I had any knowledge of at the time of its receipt—I am as much in the dark now as ever, and as unable to guess at the number of Troops which may be retained or raised for...
6From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 19 20 & 21 of this month are come to hand. My Papers being yet behind, prevents a reference to my last letter to you from Newburg but, if I recollect, it is explicit as to the number of Troops and the necessity of their immediate March—the purpose for which they were ordered on will not admit delay, and I must desire that not only Sprouts Regiment—but as many more...
7From George Washington to Robert Howe, 13 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 23d July was handed to me on my Return from the Northward. The advanced Season of the Year makes it absolutely necessary that the Troops and every thing destined for the Posts on our Western Frontiers, should be put in a situation to move, the moment we can learn when the British will evacuate them. I must therefore desire you to order back four or five hundred Men of your...
8From George Washington to Robert Howe, 16 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the recet of your Letter of the 7th of this Month. Before the recet of your Letter Genl St Clair havg hinted the necessity of sending on the Judge Advocate he had accordingly set off to Join you & I hope that by this time you have got thro’ this troublesome business. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
9From George Washington to Robert Howe, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 3d inst. dated at Trenton. In Consequence of a Letter from M. Genl St Clair & at his Request, I have ordered the Judge Advocate to proceed to Phila.—this Gentlemans Assistance will probably be necessary in the prosecution of the Business intrusted to your Investigation I have directed him to attend on you, and to give every Aid in his power, in an Affair, that...
10From George Washington to Robert Howe, 4 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morng been favored with your two Letters of the 1st of July—with a Resolution of Congress directg you to proceed with the Troops to Phila. The March of the Detachment of Jacksons Regiment had not been countermanded by me—but I am glad to find it has been done under directions of Congress. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
11From George Washington to Robert Howe, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the command of the Detachment ordered to march to Philadelphia in consequence of the Letter of the Presidt of Congress of the 21st instant—you will move with as much expedition as you can consistently with the health & comfort of the Troops—This Corps must be absolutely light & unencumbered with Baggage, having only two Peices of Field Artillery—you will make Arrangements with...
12From George Washington to Robert Howe, 25 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have no objection to your setting out for Boston tomorrow, and heartily wish you a pleasant journey & safe return. My Sentiments publicly & privately have been so fully delivered, that I shall say nothing respecting your return. I do not wish to defeat the end & purposes of your going, by limiting the term of your absence to a shorter period than is necessary to accomplish the business which...
13From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am favord with your Letter of Yesterday. When you mentiond to me the other day the probability of your Affairs requiring your presence at Boston—I believe I told you that if there was an absolute necessity for it—leave should be granted—It is painfull to me to Refuse an Officer any Indulgence it is in my power to grant, but some thing is due to other considerations, the good of Service and...
14From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the Arran g emt of Field Officers in the Mass. Line; but as it is not final & may be subject to alteration from various contingency, I have not thought proper that it should be announced in the General Orders—but it will be necessary for you to post the Field Officers to the Regt agreeably to that arrangement, until further Orders that they may take their Commands...
15From George Washington to Robert Howe, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find myself under the disagreeable necessity of furnishing you with the Copy of Genl Heaths report of 28th Inst. Report made to me yesterday by Major General Heath—In consequence of this I am obliged to call upon you for your Reasons of absenting yourself from your Division on the march from Verplanks Point to this Ground. I am Sir Yr most obt & hbl. servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
16From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
If your application is not to Congress—directly—it must be through the Secretary at War agreeable to a Resolve of Congress. The enquiry into your conduct was instituted in consequence of an order of Congress & was once before the board of War. Your coming to this place was by no order of mine & consequently the Necessity of it unknown to me—The Acct will, no doubt, be referred to the board of...
17From George Washington to Robert Howe, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received with much Pleasure your Congratulations conveyed to me in your Favr of the 4th. I think, Considering the length of Time already passed since your Operations in Georgia, that you are quite in the Right to have the Inquiry on your Conduct during that Time, brot to as early Decision as Circumstances will admit—I can easily conceive your present Situation to be very disagreable—& wish...
18From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The constant Attention I have been obliged to pay to the March of the Troops—forwarding Stores—procuring Necessaries &c. for the Expedition in Contemplation with other unavoidable Circumstances, have prevented my giving an Answer to your private Letter, which I received at Philadelphia, before this Day. I am very sorry you have taken up the Matter in so serious a Light as seems to appear from...
19From George Washington to Robert Howe, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favour’d with your Letter of this date; the Artificers you mention that have been drafted from the several Regiments will continue at the Point ’till further orders. I am with respect your most obedt Humbe Servant. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
20From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of last Night—The Measures which have been taken in consequence of the information, appear to me, to have been very proper. When our Officers on the Lines are thus apprised, should the Enemy presume to make an incursion, I cannot but flatter myself they will be made to suffer for their temerity. I am Dr Sr With great regard &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
21From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with yours of this date, enclosing a Note from Mrs Mortier—to whom a Billet is also forwarded under cover to you, which I request you to transmit to her by the return of the Flag. You will have the goodness to suffer nothing at all to be landed from the flag, and to give orders for the departure of it as soon as may be with convenience; You will be pleased to give directions to...
22From George Washington to Robert Howe, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday inclosing Letter from Genl Waterbury—If the Information is to be depended upon all the Whale Boats & the Cattle should be removed as soon as may be—the first on Carriages or otherwise as may be found convenient—Colo. Scammel may be ordered towards the Point of Operation, & make such Use of the Troops on the Line as his Discretion may direct—establishg a Communication...
23From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers convened at New Windsor N.Y. the 12th day of June 1781. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief M. General Lord Stirling Brigadiers Generals Knox Genl Howe Paterson Genl Parsons Hand Genl McDougall Huntington Du Portail
24From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of the same date together with the Report of the Board of Officers, appointed to inspect Provisions. If there are any Blunderbusses & Swivels, I have no objection that Capt. Pray should be furnished with them, tho I think, that vigilance and attention, will be his surest protection against the Enemy. I have to request that you will be pleased to attend at...
25From George Washington to Robert Howe, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kirkland has delivered me your letter of Yesterday with one from B. Genl Patterson, respecting King under sentance of Death. In Consequence of their sollicitations in his Favr, I have consented that he shall be pardoned for his Offence—& not subjected to the Execution of his Sentence; his Releace from Service for obvious Reasons is not admissible. You will be pleasd to send him by the first...
26From George Washington to Robert Howe, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an...
27From George Washington to Robert Howe, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 12th of April from portsmouth and 19th from Boston. Business of a very urgent public nature will oblige me to send General Heath immediately to the Eastern States—I am therefore under the necessity of desiring your Return as speedily as possible to take the command at West point, which, with all its dependencies, will be left with only one Brigadier. I am...
28From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 15 Feb. 1781. On 16 Feb., Howe wrote GW : “I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th.”
29From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2nd with the enclosures have just been received. I would not wish Major Galvan to place any dependance on a Command in the Light Corps the ensuing Campaign—These appointments having commonly been made in some measure by Rotation. With great consideration I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt. Df , in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Howe’s letter...
30From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this day with the papers accompanying it. For fear of a revival of the discontents in the Jersey line, I think it adviseable there should remain near them other troops on whose fidelity we can more perfectly rely —on this account I approve the detention of the New Hampshire detachment and the Artillery ’till we hear something more of the movements on Staten...
31From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard a word of the Jersey Troops, since the first intelligence of their defection—And am extremely anxious to know the true state of Matters—for this purpose, I shall set out tomorrow towards you; but Not with a design of superseding Your command, &c. Be pleased to give me all the information you can obtain by Express, that it may Meet me somewhere on the road. I am Dr Sir—With...
32From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the command of the detachment, which has been ordered to march from this post against the mutineers of the Jersey line. You will rendezvous the whole of your command at Ringwood or Pompton as you find best from circumstances—The object of your detachment is to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission—and I am to desire you will grant no terms while they are with arms in...
33From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of this day, and am pleased with the good disposition of the Troops, which indeed is no more than I expected. By intelligence this Moment received from Genl Wayne, it is not probable the Detachment will March, tho I would still have it held in readiness. The Pennsylvanians, have arrived at Trenton, and Delivered up the Spies, who were to be executed on the 11th...
34From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the report of the march of yesterday, it appears there was to your baggage a guard of a serjeant and four men, contrary to the regulations and to General orders. I am persuaded this must have happened by mistake; but as it is of the greatest importance that the General officers should set an example of regularity to the army I mention the matter to you that you may take effectual care to...
35From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 26th—The Army will move from this Ground tomorrow Morning by the Paramus Route, you will therefore direct your dispatches in future to take that Road. Our present stock of Musket Cartridges being very insufficient for the probable demand, you will be pleased to order seventy or eighty Infantry and about twenty Artillery Men to take Colo. Lambs directions for carrying...
36From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will be pleased, on receipt of this, to put the troops under your Command in motion as soon as may be: except the New-Hampshire Brigade & such of the Militia as you may judge necessary for the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies. You will direct the N. York, Connecticut & Massachusetts Lines, and the remainder of the Militia, to march successively in the order...
37From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favored with your several letters, two of the 22d and two of the 23d instant. The intelligence I have received from different quarters is of the same nature as that of yours, and speaks of an embarkation destined against our allies at Rhode Island. The communications which you made to Major General Heath, on this subject, were very proper, whether the enemy mean only...
38From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon examining the Return of Military Stores at West Point for the Month of June I find there were only 662 Muskets in the Commissary’s hands —This appears to me most extraordinary as the number of Rank and File of the Massachusetts line amounted on the last of Novemr 1779 to 4569 and on the last of June past to only 1623 which makes a difference of 2946 Men, who must have been...
39From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Lieut. Meigs of Col. Webbs Regt who is directed to receive & bring forward the proportion of Connecticut levies for that Regiment; You will be pleased to Order them to be delivered to him accordingly. I am with great esteem & regard Your Most Obedt Hble Servt Df , in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . John Meigs (c.1754–1826), of...
40From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 8th—The State of Massachusetts having adopted Colo. Jacksons Regt and directed it to be considered in every respect as belonging to that line, it in course becomes intitled to a proportion of the drafts—For this purpose the Bearer Capt. Hunt is sent up to receive the number which will fall to the share of the Regiment. I have not yet recd the Feild Return of the...
41From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to furnish the Bearer Mr Abraham Marlin with two Whale Boats well armed, for the purpose of sounding Haverstraw Bar. You will not let the persons who are to go in the Boats, or any others, know of this business previous to its execution, for should it come to the knowledge of the enemy, they might by sending up a Galley, interrupt it intirely. I am &. Df , in Tench...
42From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 3d with the Returns, to which it refers, inclosed. Colo. Gouvion—anxious to prepare Fascines, Gabions and sleepers for platforms, wishes a reinforcement of fatigue Men, to be kept constantly down towards the Village upon that service. I know not how such a measure may interfere with your present arrangements, and I can therefore only recommend to you to spare as many...
43From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 27th and 30th ulto and that of the 3d instant covering a letter from Genl Heath—Mr Moylan has not yet come in—I imagine he is stopped by the heavy rain. I am informed that Genl Glover had missed my letter directing him to stop at Springfeild for the purpose of receiving and forwarding the drafts of Massachusetts —I make no doubt but you have sent him back to...
44From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Before this the Connecticut division will probably have joined you. The rest of the army arrived here yesterday. The delay which has occurred makes it probable the enemy either had not or have relinguished the project of attacking West Point; and only intend to retard our preparations by menacing us at different points and obliging us to call out the militia. I believe what they have done...
45From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
On friday last the enemy moved from Elisabeth Town point to Springfield in considerable force, supposed about five thousand. The bridge at Springfield was pretty obstinately defended by Col. Angel’s regiment nor was it gained by the enemy till near a contest of forty minutes. This Regt had about 40 killed and wounded. Our whole loss during the day does not rise much higher but from all the...
46From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th reached me this morning. The principal part of the army yesterday marched to this place—Last night I received a letter from General Greene who commands the corps near the enemy containing the following paragraph, “Mr——this moment returned from Elizabeth Town. He says that General Clinton with the whole British army will be in motion this evening; that three thousand are...
47From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening received Your two Favors of the 19th and was happy to find that a part of Clinton’s Brigade had joined You. I hope by this time the whole will have got down, or at least all of it except the Regiment detached to Fort Schuyler with provisions. From the immense importance of the post under your direction, I wish, as expressed in my Letter of the 18th, that You may have & keep...
48From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 16th and 18th two of each date—The Express who brought the last left Kings ferry yesterday Morning at Sun rise and informs me that the Vessels had gone down the River and were out of sight. The posts at Stoney and Verplanks points were established more with a view of preventing the communication from being interrupted by a vessel or two with a small body of Men,...
49From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter from General Foreman which I have this moment received. He is intirely to be depended on. There can be no doubt that this is Sir Henry Clinton from the Southward. All your exertions are necessary to be prepared for defence. Urge the application recommended to you in mine of the —— instant to Governor Clinton for a succour of militia to make up your garrison to Two...
50From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy still remain here and every thing indicates that they have some serious enterprise in view—My suspicions for the North River still continue and rather increase. It is some time since I have had a return of your garrison therefore I cannot judge precisely of your force; but if you have not Two thousand five hundred rank and file fit for action, you will be pleased immediately to apply...