401Instructions 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...
402From 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...
403From 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...
404From 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...
405From 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...
406Instructions 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...
407From 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...
408From 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...
409From George Washington to William Heath, 9 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to proceed immediately to the several Eastern States, with the dispatches, addressed to the Governors of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay and the President of New Hampshire, on the subject of supplies for the Army. The present critical and alarming situation of our Troops and Garrisons for the want of provision, is (from the nature of your command) so perfectly...
410From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the long preparations at New York and the strong appearances of a large Detachment’s being made from thence—it seems certain from very recent advices, that no Troops have sailed as yet, and that the Enemy hold themselves in collected force. What their designs really are I have not been able to learn, altho I have taken all the pains in my power to effect it. The Southern States...
411From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 20 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your very agreeable favor of the 4th Instant, with your acceptable present, came to hand last night. I shall direct a guard to releive Captn Hutchens at Reading, and give every necessary instruction for the safe conduct of his charge. I do not wonder at Gen. Masseys answer to your letter, it is in a stile of ignorant insult that has often, of late, characterised the writings of British...
412From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter just received from the State of Massachusets (Copy of which you have inclosed) I find that they had ordered 6000 Militia to be raised, and appointed the place of rendezvous at Danbury in Connecticut, where they are to meet Genl Lincoln who is to take the Command. You will perceive from the Tenor of the Letter, that the Appearance of the Men of War and Transports off the Coast of N....
413From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of yesterday, I have been favd with yours of the 27th ulto I am happy to hear that the Fire, in the Garrison, has been suppressed with so little damage. The Officers, who lost their Cloathing, may have the liberty of drawing what Articles they may find suitable in the public store, at the prices fixed by Congress, which are, one half more than such Articles sold for in the year...
414From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have, within these few days, received an application from the honorable Messrs Sever and Cushing, for arms and blankets, for the use of the Massachusetts regiments, destined for Ticonderoga. Surely those troops are not, at this day, to begin their march, for that post! And sorry I am to observe, that nothing now will content that government, but the new arms lately arrived there, which will...
415From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a letter of the 18th I hinted to you that the detachment which was then forming might be five or six Weeks absent from this post —possibly it may be longer, and advance us into a season when the enemy, if they are in force and circumstances at New York, may endeavour to avail themselves of our weakness. To provide against this, I have as you are already informed, wrote pressingly for the...
416From John Adams to William Heath, 11 May 1807 (Adams Papers)
I read in the Chronicle some time ago, two Speculations with the signature of a military Countryman, and I read them with great pleasure for two very Substantial reasons, one of which is that I cordially approved and coincided with every Sentiment and every expression in them: the other was that I knew at once that General Heath was the Writer of them. How did you know that? you will ask. I...
417From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 23d and 24th ulto. Finding that Colo. Lee cannot be prevailed upon to remain in the service I have represented his Case and that of Major Swazee to Congress and expect in my next to inform you of their acceptation of their Commissions. If Capt. Aldens circumstances are such that he cannot conveniently continue in the Army you may give him a discharge, first...
418From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received Yesterday your letter of the 29th Ulto. Before this comes to hand you will have been informed that the Fleet in the Sound, which it is generally believed was designed to proceed to Rhode Island, has returned. We have so many accounts of this that we have no doubt of it, and are pursuing measures accordingly. With respect to the return of the Militia who were called for, under the...
419From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14–15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 27th and 30th of Decr last and that of the 5th Instant. The measures you have taken to provide against a scarcity, with the assistance of the goverment, will I hope furnish you with a tolerable and constant supply. Our distresses, have been so pressing as to compel me to call upon the several counties in this State for a certain quota of grain and...
420From George Washington to William Heath, 6 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Before I make a reply to the Subject of the Address of the Generals and Officers Commanding the Regiments and Corps of this Army presented by yourself yesterday I intreat that those Gentlemen will accept my warmest acknowledgements for the confidence they have been pleased to repose in me, they may be assured it shall never be abused—and I beg they will be persuaded that as no man can possibly...
421From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the excessive hurry of business, I have not had it in my power, to notice particularly the contents of your Letter of the 20th Instant. I immediately directed the Quarter Master General to have the Provisions you mentioned forwarded to West Point by land or water without a moments delay. I presume he has taken the necessary Measures. Col. Wadsworth informs me there is a probability the...
422From George Washington to William Heath, 15 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief States to the General Officers— That—From the best Information he has been able to obtain, the regular force of the Enemy in N. York, at this Time , including their established provincial Corps, amounts at least to 9,000 Men. That—The City Militia, volunteer Companies, Rangers and some other small Corps in the Town, amounted by a Report made to the Secretary of State in...
423From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favored with yours of that date. I wish it was in my power to comply with your request for leave of absence at this time, but such will be the state of the Army in regard to General Officers, that I shall be left very destitute of assistance. General Sullivan has requested the liberty of Congress to retire from the service —General Putnam has obtained a short leave of absence...
424From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the immense advantages which we shall derive from the acknowledgement of our Independency by, and our late alliance with the Court of France, yet much remains to be done to extricate ourselves intirely from our oppressors. even taking it for granted that the Enemy, from the situation of European Affairs, cannot be further reinforced, their remaining Strength, if Collected and...
425From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26th overtook me a few Miles from this place where I arrived this day at Noon. The Enemy gave us not the least Interruption upon our March. I am glad to hear that the Stores that were at Tapan and Slotts Landing are all got safely up; I hope you will have the same good Luck with the Flour. I approve of the Steps you have taken to keep the Tories, in the Neighbourhood of your post,...
426From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The time of the reform of Livingstons and Spencers Regiments is so near at hand, that you will be pleased immediately to relieve the Posts at King’s ferry which they at present occupy with a Captain and fifty to each. I would wish you to make choice of good Officers, because I think it will be better to let them remain the Winter, than to be often changing. Inclosed you have the Returns of the...
427From George Washington to William Heath, 19 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the Command of all the Troops remaining in this Department—consisting of the Two Regiments of New Hampshire, Ten of Massachusetts, & five of Connecticut Infantry—the Corps of Invalids, Sheldons Legion, the third Regiment of Artillery—together with all such State Troops & Militia as are retained in Service, of those which would have been under my own Comand. The Security of West...
428From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th was received the Morning I was last at West Point—a variety of avocations have prevented my acknowledging it untill this time. With respect to the Soldiers who have been Prisoners, I have to observe, that I think it reasonable, the indulgence of Furloughs should be granted to those whose circumstances require it, and for whose return their Officers can become in a great...
429From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 13th Instt and wish you may have succeeded in your intended scheme to dislodge the Enemy from Heckensec bridge. In my Letter of the 18th I transmitted you a Copy of a Letter from the Council of the Massachusets Bay advising that 6000 men were coming from that State under Genl Lincoln to supply the place of the militia which had returned Home and of their...
430From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In making my arrangements for the disposition of the Army this Winter I have found it necessary to assign the command of the posts upon the North River to you. Inclosed you will find instructions for your government. Lt Colo. Pawling with the York Militia has undertaken to finish the Redoubt upon Stoney point. You will therefore have no further occasion to send a fatigue party from Nixon’s and...
431From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several favors of the 17th—18th 21st and 23d of this month. As it will be less expensive to Major Painter, and to the public, to have his tryal held in your quarter, you will be pleased to order a court martial for the purpose. I return you Col. Scammels letter on the subject. Bostwicks letter which came in yours of the 18th is very ambiguous. At first view one would...
432From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10–11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 1st and 2d instants. I am convinced if any Ships appeared off your Coast at the time you mention, that they could not have been the Fleet that sailed from the Hook, because they were off the Capes of Delaware just at that time. But I think it more than probable, that you will have heard something of the Enemy before this reaches you. We have not recd the...
433From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d. The late European intelligence has so altered the immediate prospects of the Campaign, that I think it adviseable to dismiss the Militia now in service and prevent any other coming out for the present. You will therefore let those now with you return home as soon as their services are no longer thought necessary by the Count de Rochambeau, for as the...
434From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last evening received your favor of the 24th. By a return of the 15th instant There were then at Westpoint—Fishkill and Ringwood 151 Teirces and 454 Barrels of salt meat and 400 Barrels on the communication from Deleware, which will be coming forward —I have directed the meat from the nearest deposits of Connecticut and Massechusetts to be brought to the River—A very considerable quantity of...
435Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman to Major General William Heath, 6–10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favs. of the 13th and 20th August. I should have answered the former before this time, but as I recd it upon my march to this place I had not an opportunity of doing it sooner. As the Expedition to St Johns was set on foot by order of Congress, you should apply to them for directions about the payment of the Officers for the time they were engaged in...
436From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the present situation of things I think it necessary that You should Join the Army and request that You will do it. You will come to Head qrs yourself. The rout through Litchfield will be the most eligible for You, on account of security, and You may direct your baggage to halt at Fish Kills for your further Orders. I write to the Count de Rochambeau by this conveyance, & I trust that your...
437From George Washington to Major General William Health, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 16th instant, informing me of an application from the Board of War, of your state for a sufficiency of arms and other necessaries to accommodate a body of men to be employed in a secret expedition to St John’s River, and desiring my instructions upon the occasion. As I am not acquainted by Congress with what steps they have taken in the affair, nor with their...
438From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I gave directions to Generals Glover—Patterson and Huntington to discharge the Levies of Connecticut and Massachusetts, by degrees, upon their arrival at their places of cantonment, beginning with those first who were worst clad and otherwise unfit for service, as this would diminish our numbers insensibly, and not give the enemy an opportunity of knowing the truth before the time which they...
439From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 11 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your several favors came to hand yesterday while I was absent. Edwards of Sheldons Regiment, under sentence of death, was represented, by the Major, as a vicious fellow, and a proper subject to make an example, which seems necessary at this time, as I am informed that two Natives went off from Moylans a few days ago, and carried with them four very valuable Horses. I cannot therefore grant the...
440From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 6th & 13th Inst., have been duly received. I am glad to hear that General Burgoyne is gone, & wish his departure had been much earlier. At the time of his Capture he certainly must have entertained very favourable impressions of our force, & perhaps in point of good policy he should have been allowed to depart, before they were in the smallest degree done away, & before...
441From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from the Board of War, that they have given directions to Mr Fletcher, to send forward to Springfield and Hartford all the ready made cloathing in his possession, there to be sorted and repacked previous to their coming to Camp, except a few particular articles, which are ordered immediately on; and to deliver Messrs Otis and Andrews all the Cloths, woolens linnens...
442From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Two favors of the 11th & 14th Instant. I think with you, that it will not be entirely prudent, to deposit All our Stores at one place, not so much from an apprehension that the Enemy will penetrate the Country to destroy them, as that the whole may not be lost, in case of other unhappy events. I have spoke to Genl Knox, who will direct, what he judges proper to be...
443From John Adams to William Heath, 15 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Altho I never had the Pleasure and the Honour of so intimate an Acquaintance with you as I wished yet I have a long Time, been sufficiently acquainted with your Character, to have the Utmost Confidence in your Patriotism and your Judgment of the true Interest of our Country. The critical State of the Colonies, at this Time, is the Cause of my writing you, because Providence has now placed you...
444The Commissioners to Canada to [William Heath], 5 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We this Evening arrived here, and from Curiosity Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll went ashore, and found the State of the fort as follows: 3 Companies of Minute Men, Captain Moffats, Capt. Raymonds, and Capt. Woshons, Consisting of 5 Lieutenants, 6 Serjeants, 8 Corporals, 2 Drummers, a fifer and 102 privates. Mr. Seth Marvin 1st. Lieutenant of Capt. Moffats Company has now the...
445From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from the Marquis de la Fayette announces the expected arrival of several French Officers of distinction upon a visit to the Army. Should they pass the posts under your command I am convinced you will pay them every attention and honor due to their Rank. As I should wish to have notice of their approach to this Camp, you will oblige me by dispatching an Express as soon as they...
446From George Washington to William Heath, 20 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your kind and friendly letter of the 17th Ulto has been duly received, and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for the affectionate sentiments you have been pleas’d to express for me, therein. I can assure you, Sir, I never ascribed a motive to the letter you wrote me, on my Election to the Chair of Government, so unworthy of you as to suppose it was written with a view of: “Pressing...
447From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date enclosing a number of permits signed by General Pattison allowing Goods to be sent out of New York—I think, with you, that an allowance of a thing of this kind would be attended with most pernicious consequences, and to which I do not think my self authorised to assent. Those who have Governor Clintons permission to come out and bring their effects must be...
448From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th reached me last Evening. I have recieved intelligence that Sir Henry Clinton went himself towards the East End of Long Island on the 16th and that the troops at Whitestone were again embarking. I have an account of Sir Henry’s movement through two different Channels—that of the embarkation only thro’ one. I can hardly suppose that he will, considering the present...
449From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received some days ago your letter of the 27th of last month. I have communicated your request with respect to recruiting Officers, to Major General Howe & desired him to send on a number, if the state of the regiments would admit of it, informing them however previously, to prevent a misapprehension on the subject and that they might use their own discretion upon the occasion, that I knew...
450From John Adams to William Heath, 3 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20th. Ultimo is before me. I am much obliged to you for it, and most heartily wish for a more free and intimate Communication of Sentiments, upon the State both of our Councils and Arms. I should be happy, in a few Hours Conversation, but as this cannot be, I must be content with a Letter. We have now a Nation to protect and defend; and I can easily see the Propriety of the...