To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 May 1780
From Major General Robert Howe
Highlands [N.Y.] 22d may 1780
The season for taking the Field my Dear General is now arriving, and as I have had my Tour of Duty at this Garrison in a situation as perplexing as anxious, may I venture to hope that when Field Operations do take place, I may not be kept at this Garrison unless Actual service at it should happen. If I know my self at all, and if as a soldier I have any merit, it lies rather in Field service than in what I now have, and in that I can be most useful I should most desire to be Employd. I have never Ask’d for, nor do I like recess,1 and therefore if this should be a situation of Ease, there are those who probably will like it better than I shall, whose Constitutions require more fixt situation to preserve them, to whom it will therefore be an indulgence, and whose Habits and turn of mind are better fitted to the Extensive details requisite here. The perfect Knowledge I have, both of the Country and people on the lines, the chain of intelligence I have Establish’d,2 and many other Circumstances may probably Enable me to be of as much service there or any where in Advance as in Any other place. But all this is As you please, where ever I happen to be, or in whatever Situation, my utmost Efforts may be depended upon, for be assur’d dear Sir that in what ever manner you shall Choose to dispose of me, I shall be as confident of its propriety as ready to submit to it, nor is it possible for you to give me an order that I shall not chearfully Obey. Excuse My General the Application I make, it is not so much to have my own inclination Gratified, as candidly to set forth in what manner I conceive I can best serve my country, a conduct which Honesty and true Patriotism Exact of Every man.3 I have the Honour to be Dear sir with the Greatest Respect and warmest affection you[r] Excellency’s most obt hum. servt
R. Howe
p.s. I write in great hurry Excuse any Blunders.4
ALS, DLC:GW. Howe wrote “Private” on the cover.
1. Howe expressed a similar sentiment in his letter to GW of 7 February.
2. For Howe’s network of spies along Long Island Sound in summer 1779 and his handling of spies in New York, see Culper Spy Ring Intelligence, 6–17 Aug. 1779; GW to Howe, 17 Aug. 1779; Howe to GW, 2 April 1780; and Intelligence Operations in the New York City Area, 17 May–24 June 1780.
3. Howe had asked to serve in the southern department (see his letter to GW of 11 April).
4. GW replied to Howe from Morristown on 25 May: “Your private letter of the 22d came safe—The reduced state of our Brigades—the deranged situation of the Troops in consequence of it—and the accumulated distresses under which we labour from a variety of causes, renders it difficult for me, at this moment, to digest any plan of formation, & to make a disposition for the Campaign, that is pleasing & satisfactory to myself.
“When I am able to do these, you may rest satisfied that so far as your wishes, and the public interest comports, my inclination will assist the first—More than this you having been pleased to assure me you do not desire I cannot but thank you for the expression of it, as a contrary sentiment could not fail of adding to the perplexities of a mind already loaded with a thousand embarrassments.
“I should have been more full, & free, in my communications on this subject—& on some other important matters, if time would allow me—rather—if I durst run the hazard of a miscarriage of my letter—I cannot forbear adding however, that I am sollicitous about the Gabions—Fascines—& scantling for Platforms, as mentioned in my letter of this date. and that it is my earnest wish, that as many hands, and as much time as you can well spare, may be employed in this business” (ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). Enlistment expirations of soldiers who had joined the Continental army in 1777 reduced the strength of the brigades.