To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 18 June 1780
From Major General Robert Howe
Highlands [N.Y.] 18th June 1780
Dear Sir
Six of the Enemy’s Ships are in View of Verplank’s—two of them, one a Frigate, near Tallow’s Point.1 These may either be the Harbingers of more, or they may mean to divert you—To Morrow will probably determine the Matter here—with your Excellency it may be determin’d already. The Enemy drew near the Shore at Sing Sing & kept up a considerable Cannonade either at a Lookout Party of mine, or to clear the Coast in Order to land Men.
Stony & Verplank’s Points are in a very tolerable State of Defence—the Garrisons of each equal to their Extent—they must therefore, and were I imagine intended if attacked very forcibly to be left to themselves, & from the Officers commanding them will I am persuaded be sold dearly, if sold at all.
Supplies are coming on & I hope will arrive in Time—Flour from your Quarter would however be acceptable.
I have Hopes this Post will do its Duty, & the Enemy be made to repent their Attempts upon it. General McDougal arrived yesterday, & is now with us.2 With the greatest Respect I am, Dear Sir your Excellency’s very Humble Servant
R: Howe
LS, DLC:GW.
Howe again wrote GW on this date: “An Opportunity happening accidently, I take the Liberty of mentioning to your Excellency that some part of the provost Corps are absolutely necessary at this place—The resources from which we used to derive Surplies of Flour, are so much exhausted that very little is to be expected in this Quarter untill the Crops come in, which induces me to wish that further Surplies from the Southward could be forwarded to us—The Enemy are very Busy and all their Opperrations indicate some important undertaking, I am preparing at every point for their reception, should they Honour me with a Visit; and am watching their motions by various and trusty Emissaries” (LS, DLC:GW). For flour ordered to West Point, see GW to Howe, 3 June, and to Nathanael Greene, this date.
1. Howe is referring to Teller’s Point, N.Y., which forms the southern end of Haverstraw Bay on the eastern side of the Hudson River.
2. See GW to Alexander McDougall, 15 June, found at GW to Howe, same date, n.6.