To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 May 1780
From Major General William Heath
Roxbury [Mass.] May 28th 1780
Dear General
I am this evening Honored with yours of the 15th Instant handed to me by the Honble Mr Bowdoin, no endeavours shall be wanting to obtain the intelligence required, a Flag is now in the Harbour from Hallifax, a Gentleman who came in the Flag and is to return, has business to transact with Mr Bowdoin, I have requested mr Bowdoin to ask Several questions respecting the works, Garrison Ships &c. which questions from him probably will not cause suspicion, but be considered rather to proceed from curiosity, The Gentleman is a person of Character and mr Bowdoin imagines a real friend to our cause,1 I think a Colonel Allen who is Superintendant of Indian affairs at Machias and whose Father and Friends if I mistake not live in the Town of Hallifax will be able to obtain and give me some particular and interesting intelligence,2 the moment any is obtained it shall be forwarded,3 But I fear the Enemy have already apprehensions of the intentions of our allies, for by intelligence Just received here, a number of Transports lately Sailed from New York [are] said to have about 2000 Troops on Board destined for Canada, (probably Hallifax or Ponobscot) and it is reported that they have been Seen Since Standing to the eastward.4
Yesterday my baggage was packed up and was to sit out early to morrow morning for the Highlands, indeed I should have sit out before this time had not the uneasiness, debility, and wants of the Massachusetts Line almost weekly represented to me by the officers, detained me, and urged my endeavours to have them quieted, Strengthned and relieved, but the Season is so far advanced that I could not think of Staying longer, I shall now attend to the objects of your Excellencys Letter, at the Same time request to be informed in your next whether I shall repair to the Highlands, or wait your further orders here.5
Our last accounts from Charlestown are to the 27th ulto the place was then Safe and the Garrison in high Spirits, The Enemy had received a very Severe repulse on the 22nd in an attack on our Lines.6 I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most obedient Servant
W. Heath
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed the ALS: “recd 9th June.” Harrison also wrote: “with respect to His [Heath’s] remaining anticipated by Letter directing him to go to Rhode Island” (see n.5).
1. See James Bowdoin to GW, 31 May.
2. Heath wrote Col. John Allan, superintendent of the eastern Indian department, from Roxbury on 29 May seeking answers to several questions: “who Commands at Hallifax—what Force have the Enemy at that place, what Corps compose the Garrison what number and what Sort of Fortifications have they and in what Conditions, the name and Situation of each, with the ordnance mounted thereon what ships they have in the Harbour or on the Station, please be very particular and add any other information in your power that may give me the Situtaion of the Town and its defences please also to do the Same with respect to the Enemys at Penobscot.” Heath also sought “a draught of the Harbour and works of Hallifax be it never so small or rough you will oblige me much” (MHi: Heath Papers).
William Allan (c.1720–c.1790), a native of Scotland and John Allan’s father, brought his family to Nova Scotia about 1750. He served for a time as an officer in the British army and later became a prosperous farmer and merchant.
4. Heath is referring to the fleet carrying British and Hessian troops that sailed from Sandy Hook, N.J., on 23 May. Many of the troops were bound for Quebec (see Elias Dayton to GW, 19 May, and n.2 to that document). On 26 May, the fleet passed Nantucket Shoals, Mass., and “altered course toward the northeast” (Burgoyne, Defeat, Disaster and Dedication, 45).
5. GW directed Heath to Rhode Island (see his letter to Heath of 2 June). For Heath’s arrival, see his letters to GW, 12 and 20 June.
6. The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser (Boston) for 25 May printed an item about a passenger from “the Continental ship Ranger” who had left Charleston, S.C., on 27 April and arrived at Swansea, Mass., on 20 May. He reported “our garrison in high spirits; and that on the 22d at ten at night, the British army made an assault on our main lines, and were repulsed, after two hours engagement, with the loss of 500 men killed on the spot, and 300 wounded, according to the best accounts that could be obtained from a number of deserters.” The number of American casualties was given at about eleven. This intelligence was mostly erroneous (see Joseph Jones to GW, 23 May, n.5).