1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of this day, I omitted mentioning to you, that it is my wish the light companies of the two brigades should be left behind for a few days and ’till further orders—This you will be pleased to have done that they may be properly arranged. I am Sir Your most Obedt serv. LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW signed the cover...
8From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday requested you to have the light infantry formed before you marched and leave them behind—I am anxious this should be done as speedily as possible. So soon as they are drawn out, You will be pleased to direct the Commanding officer to send to Head Quarters for orders. I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt servt Since writing the above I have received yours of this date—I could wish the light...
9From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th dated at Amewalk and on account of the pressing situation of affairs, have written to Col. Lamb at Fish kill, to send to your care 25,000 Cartridges —which you will distribute among the Militia if there is really a necessity for it. I cannot send more. The respective States in general, as I have been informed have good supplies of Military stores of their...
10From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 14th with its inclosures. I would not wish you to advance further eastward, unless the movements of the enemys main body in that direction should make it necessary. It is my intention that your division should as far as possible preserve a relative position to, and ensure a timely communication with the Highlands posts. This may not be practicable if the...
11From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to march tomorrow morning early towards Peeks Kill—in the vicinity of which 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. Send to hasten on Glovers brigade to join you at the same place. I am Dr Sir Your most Obed....
12From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Two Letters of the 15th. I wrote you Yesterday upon the subject of your conduct and now inclose you a Copy, Lest my Letter should have miscarried. I have written to General Glover and commit the Letter to your care, which you will forward to him, if you have not already given him orders to join you with his Brigade, in consequence of my Letter of Yesterday....
13From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of yesterday—From the information I have had, it is probable you will have joined General Howe before this reaches you—I have given him instructions which he was directed to communicate to you—But for fear of a miscarriage I shall repeat them. It was directed that one of the four brigades, which compose your two commands, should be stationed in the Gorge of the...
14From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 18th and two of to day. The disposition you mention to have made of the Troops will stand till further Orders. You will write to General Glover and direct him to halt with his Brigade at Ridgefield, where he will remain till he is further instructed. I am much fatigued—and as I shall see you in the course of a day or two—I shall not add any thing more upon the...
15From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 24 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of this morning inclosing a letter from Captain Hopkins I have just received. The present situation of the enemy and our ignorance of their designs induces me again to express my anxiety that you should use your utmost exertions to obtain a knowledge of their plan—I know of no means so effectual as that of employing a faithful inhabitant—if you can meet with such a one—by giving the...
16From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely anxious to obtain accurate information of the Garrison & Works on Verplanks point; I therefore request that you will have the post as particularly and critically examined as you can. The Officers sent on the duty will endeavour to ascertain, whether there are New Works constructed or raising—their number and their nature—whether inclosed or otherwise—and in what part. They will...
17From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this day—Capt. Hopkins conduct really deserves applause and shows a spirit of enterprise that does him honour—I beg you, in your next, to present my thanks to him. In what, I said to Col. Harrison respecting a work to be erected in the gorge of the mountains I did not mean to confine you to any particular spot; but to leave it to you to choose the most...