To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 November 1779
From Major General William Heath
Camp Peeks kill Novr 10th 1779
Dear General
This will be handed to your Excellency by Capt. Chaffney of Colonel Armands Corps1 who escorts major Bearmore and the other prisoners taken by Colonel Armand on the Night of the 7th Instant.2 Bearmore undoubtedly will make his Escape if possible. A Mr Ogilvie is among the prisoners. I am informed that he was taken prisoner Some time in the Year 1777 and admitted on parole by Genl Parsons within the limits of Harrison’s purchase, wch he has Since exceeded and forfeited his parole.3 I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most obedient Servant.
W. Heath
DfS, MHi: Heath Papers.
Heath wrote “the officer of the Guard over Baremore” from camp at Peekskill on this date: “The Guard Under your Command, is detached for the Special purpose of Safe keeping, Major Bearmore and five others Prisoners of war Taken by Colo. Armand near Morrissania, too much Care and vigilance Can not be Observed by you, and every Caution exercised to prevent his (Bearmores) escape, which he will Undoubtedly effect if Possible, You will therefore keep one of your Subalterns and Some men Constantly in the room with the Prisoners, and a Sentinel on each Side, and end of the House where they are Confined, during the night, and Untill they are removed which will be in the morning let me repeat that every precaution is necessary, You will not Suffer the least Insult or abuse to be offered the Prisoners or either of them, n[e]ither are you to allow any Person or Persons to be admitted to the Prisoners” (MHi: Heath Papers).
1. Heath is referring to Capt. George Schaffner.
2. For the capture of Loyalist major Mansfield Bearmore, see Heath to GW, 8 Nov., and n.1 to that document.
Mansfield Bearmore (d. 1780) led Loyalist forces in Westchester County, N.Y., and attained the rank of major in December 1778. After his capture in early November 1779, he remained a prisoner until exchanged in late 1780. A mortal wound resulted in Bearmore’s death on 26 December.
3. George Ogilvie (Oglevie) apparently went to Abraham Skinner, deputy commissary general of prisoners, who wrote New York governor George Clinton from West Point on 13 Nov.: “By direction of His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, I have sent under the care of Serjeant Brady, the following Prisoners vizt. Samuel Drinkwater, Henry Coleg, Edward Ryer, William Rogers and George Oglevie, who were lately taken with a Mr. Baremore, and whom the General considers as State Prisoners for your disposal.
“I will be much oblige if you will Order a Rec’t to be given to the Serjeant of the Party, for the men he delivers” ( 5:355). For Ogilvie’s subsequent exchange and attempt to secure a flag to New York City, see Clinton to Robert Howe, 21 April 1780, in 5:648–49.