To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1777
From Major General William Heath
Burlings Janry 30th 1777 4 oClock P.M.
Dear General
I am this moment Informed by a Letter from General Wooster who is at New Rochell, That fourteen Ships, Three Schooners and Two Sloops have Just Come too between Heart and City Islands so that another Peice of Intelligence given us by our late Informant may be true to wit that Lord Piercy with the Troops from Rhode Island was to land in our Rear and Surround us—so that most Probably our remove was very fortunitely made.1 I have the Honor to be with great respect Your Excellencys most Hbble Servt
W. Heath
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Maj. Gen. David Wooster’s letter to Heath of this date is in MHi: Heath Papers. Wooster wrote Heath again on 31 Jan. to inform him that the British ships “are mov’d this morning toward New york” (MHi: Heath Papers). Hart Island is a small island to the east of City Island in Long Island Sound.