George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 September 1778

From Major General William Heath

Head Quarters Boston Sept. 1st 1778 3 oClock P.M.

Dear General

a Large Fleet of men of war are now almost up to our Light House1 and are beyond a doubt an Enemy the alarm is Given, and the militia assembling, There are no Continental Troops here except about 40 Invalids—our Militia are as good as any but your Excy is sensible they are not like Regular Troops about Twenty Ships are in Sight & Some of them very large. I am Dear Genl in haste your obt Servt

W. Heath

ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers.

1. The lighthouse for Boston Harbor was on Little Brewster Island (also called Lighthouse Island), a little less than four miles east of Long Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 September 1778
    Author
    Heath, William
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    1 September 1778

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 September 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0501. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, p. 460.]

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