1. GW requested a similar covering party for his inspection of Stony Point, N.Y.—the King’s Ferry terminal on the west bank of the Hudson River—in his letter to Anthony Wayne of this date. For the British evacuation of Verplanck Point, N.Y., and Stony Point on 21 Oct., see GW to Horatio Gates, this date, and n.7.

In response to GW’s directive, Heath communicated with Col. Philip Burr Bradley, who wrote Heath on 23 Oct.: “Yours of the 22d with which I was honor’d was duly received, and the order respecting the Detachment for Verplanks point is complied with. Nothing of importance has transpired since my arrival at this place, the transport Fleet containing the Garrisons of Stoney & Verplanks points last night came to anchor about 12 Miles below Tallers point.

“Your Honor will not be unmindfull that the Provision for my Detachment will this Day be exhausted” (MHi: Heath Papers). Heath replied to Bradley from Mandeville’s, Dutchess County, N.Y., on the same date: “As your Detachment drew and took with them but three Days provisions, you will return to Camp this Afternoon, Unless any movement of the Enemy Unknown to me Should make your Stay where you are necessary, in which case you will dispatch an Express for Provisions, but as I observed the Enemys Transports Under Sail and beating down the River yesterday Unless they have Since Come up there is no necessity of your remaining, I have wrote Genl Howe on the Subject, have Also ordered a Subalterns Guard to verplanks point, The Guard now there must remain at that post untill the new Guard arrives” (MHi: Heath Papers).