From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 16 January 1781
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters New Windsor Janry 16th 1781
Dear Sir
I have received Your favor of last Evening.1 I cannot by the Intelligence I have had from Jersey, beleive the Enemy are preparing to make a Movement in that Quarter—however I could wish to have the truth ascertained.
Col. Hay informs me there are at least two Hundred Barrels of Flour, at the Landings near Poughkeepsie2—The present favorable weather urges strongly the necessity of having it thrown into the Garrison before the River closes.3
I have nothing new from Trenton but that the two Spies are actually executed.4 I am with great regard Dear Sir Your very Hble Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
2. See Udny Hay to GW, 12 January.
3. GW refers to the garrison of West Point. On this date, British major Frederick Mackenzie, stationed in New York City, wrote in his diary: “Frost. Strong cold wind all day at N.W. No Ice yet in any of the Rivers, Creeks, or Bays” (, 2:453).
For Heath’s reply regarding transportation of the flour, see his letter to GW of this date.
4. For this report on developments related to the Pennsylvania line mutiny, see Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line to GW, 10–11 Jan., and Anthony Wayne to GW, 11 January. GW had both of these letters in hand by this date (see GW to John Sullivan and to Wayne, both this date).