From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 November 1779
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters West point 27th Novemr 1779.
Dear Sir
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.1 Inclosed you will find instructions for your government.2
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 Glovers—And I think you had better consult Colo. Gouvion upon the number of Men necessary to finish the Work upon Verplanks, who may continue at it, while the remainder of those two Brigades proceed to the Business of hutting with all possible expedition, should you determine to post them both upon the East side of the River.3
The Companies of Artillery attached to Nixon’s and Glovers Brigades with their Peices are to join the Park in Jersey when the Brigades move to their Quarters. They are to proceed from King’s Ferry to Sufferans by the short Road (leaving Kakeate on the left) and from thence to the place fixed upon for the park, which I apprehend will be in the neighbourhood of Morris town.4
I do not at present recollect any thing more than what is contained in the above and in your instructions. I sincerely wish a recovery of your health and that you may enjoy good and quiet Winter Quarters, and am with great Regard Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. I do not know whether the Articles you want are in the Store, but I inclose you an order for them, in case they should be there.5
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade had written Brig. Gen. Henry Knox from headquarters at West Point on 25 Nov.: “It is not yet decided who is to command here. The appointing of an officer to the command of the artillery is however left solely with yourself. …
P.S. Since writing the above General Gates has signified his wish to spend the winter at home, and of course does not command here” (DLC: Peter Force Papers).
1. Heath replaced Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall (see GW to McDougall, 13, 17, and 21 Nov., and McDougall to GW, 16 and 21 Nov.; see also GW to Horatio Gates, 17 Nov.).
McDougall wrote Heath from West Point on 30 Nov.: “His Excellency has given me permission to retire for the winter to Fish-Kill in order to try an experiment of a Course of medecines, to remove a Complaint, which is very Painful to me in Cold weather. Yesterday he informed me when you come to Mr Mandivills House, I may leave this Post. As my Horses are Starving, and have yet made no preparation for my design, I beg you to inform me, when I may expect you. I wish you better health” (MHi: Heath Papers).
2. For the enclosure, see GW’s second letter to Heath, this date.
3. For work on fortifications at Stony Point and Verplanck Point to secure King’s Ferry, N.Y., see GW to Richard Claiborne, 21 Nov., and n.1 to that document; see also GW to Gouvion and to Heath (second letter), both 24 October.
4. For the eventual location of the artillery park near Morristown, N.J., during the winter encampment, see GW to Nathanael Greene, 30 Nov., n.2.
5. The enclosed order for “Russian Sheeting” and “Flannel” that Heath had requested in his letter to GW of 26 Nov. has not been identified.