51To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I unluckily missed of a letter from Col. Barber Sent me express. the purport of it however I fancy Can be pretty well ascertained, as it was brought by an intelligent officer acquainted with the occasion of it who met with Col. Sprout. The enemy had taken post at Staten Island with intention to Support the Jersey insurgents. they Sent out a Spy with a proclamation offering the Same terms to...
52To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment got the letters design’d for me last night & mention’d in my Express of to day & tho’ I See not much cause to alter my determination expressd in that letter yet I Shall wait here your Excellency’s orders. Colo. Barber has detain’d the artillery & the New Hampshire detachment. I am Dear Sir with the Sincerest Respect your Excellency’s Most humble & most obedient Servant. P.S....
53To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s Commands I arrived at this place yesterday evening and found that the Mutineers were returning to their huts. Col. Dayton had offered them pardon for their offences provided they immediatly would put themselves under the Command of their officers and would behave in future consistent with that Subordination So essential to Military discipline. To this they...
54To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25-26 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been endeavouring ever Since I arrived here, I.E. about one o’clock, to learn with Certainty the Motions and designs of the Insurgents, They were assembled at Chatam, and from thence are Said to be returning to their huts, where, they mean to Negotiate, for tho’ they profess to be inclined to open a treaty, they have, by no Means, adopted those Subordinate Ideas which alone can give...
55To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here with the detatchment of Massachusets Troops after Surmounting great difficulties in crossing the mountain, from the extraordinary depth of the Snow. The men however in high spirits have proceeded on their march to Ringwood. Gl Heath has assured me he will hasten on the Conecticut and New hampshire detatchments—the artillery I have not yet heard of, but imagine it is on its way....
56To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of yesterday and am obliged to you for the pleasing information of the insurgents having moved on to Trenton and given up the british emissaries, from which good effects must certainly derive. how happy Should I be, My Dear General, if Congress can fall upon measures to accommodate this unfortunate affair with dignity to them Selves and without...
57To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have by every Means in my power endeavoured to find how far the fears entertained of the disaffection of the Massachuset troops to the purposed Service was well or ill founded, and not content with my own personal efforts, I have desired officers of address and abilities to exert themselves also. It appears to be the opinion of Putnam, Vose, Sprout, Brooks, Porter, Trescot and many others...
58To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Informations your Excellency did the Board of General Officers the Honor to give them the Day before Yesterday, it appears that the Detachments made by the Enemy to the South’ard are not much superior in Numbers to the Reinforcements recently received, & that consequently their Strength in this Quarter can have sustain’d no very sensible Diminution —Added to this, when I reflect that a...
59To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When the Movements of the Enemy made it much more than probable that an immediate Attack upon West Point was intended, the Garrison was unfortunately almost without Provisions of any Sort—& it became requisite by every Method to obtain Supplies in the most expeditious Manner—In this Situation, & at a Crisis so critical & important, I was compell’d to fall upon Measures extraordinary perhaps in...
60To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
How poignant is my Anxiety my Dear General that a Man of a Character so exalted, to whom by all Accounts his Country owes so much, & from whom so much more might have been expected (as of Arnold) should to the Ruin of his own Glory, the Disgrace of the Army, & the Disbasement of Human Nature, sink into a Degree of Treachery so black that Expression has not Colouring to paint it properly. I...
61To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inform’d as I was, that our generous Allies intended to aid us with a Number of Troops, & a Fleet superior to that of the Enemy, I suppos’d We should be able to act offensively, & thought it my Duty to meditate what Objects ought to excite our Attention—Those which presented themselves as the most capital, were—Quebec, Hallifax, New-York, & the Recovery of South Carolina & Georgia—but against...
62To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Very late last night the following intelligence was sent me that sir Henry Clinton was return’d from Long Island, that most if not all the British Regiments had cross’d over and had marchd by the way of Kings Bridge to York Island, that they passd over at Hell Gate Frogs Neck & some other places, and that it was very Confidently talk’d of that you wou’d be attack’d very shortly, that Flat...
63To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I went out this morning by Day light in order to make my Self acquainted with the Approaches of the Camp And situation of the Guards, and am but this moment Return’d. during this Tour I am inform’d that your Excellency did me the Honour of a Visit, I therefore immediatly Send to know if you have any Business or Commands that I may Attend without Delay Should that be the case, & which with...
64To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Extract of a Letter just sent me dated the 18th Inst: from your Excellency’s Quarters coming from an Agent who I have directed to correspond with General Arnold—& the Letter being brought as I hear by a Horseman from Robinson’s House, He may probably have conveyed to you the Intelligence it contains, & have rendered my troubling you unnecessary —As however it may possibly be...
65To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I found when I came Home a Letter, of which the following is an Extract—the Agent is, in my Opinion confidential—the Letter is dated August the 1st—“The Enemy’s Maneuvres are strange and surprising—after embarking their Troops at white Stone, & coming up the Sound to Huntington Bay on Thursday last, they anchored, & sent two Ships Eastward, one of which returned on Sunday, & yesterday about 5...
66To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
This Moment I have a Letter of which the following is an Extract—it is dated the 31st of July —“This Morning about 8 oClock The Troops under Command of Sir Henry Clinton left Huntington Harbour bound to the Westward. [“]A Frigate from the Eastward came Yesterday After noon—spoke with the Fleet & continued her Course.” This Sir evinces that the Enemy did not return on the 28th, as has been...
67To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Intelligence which the following Extracts both dated the 28th Instant will give your Excellency—“A British Fleet is now in the Sound—The Fleet consists of fifty Sail of Transports, & has on Board eight thousand Land Forces—they are bound for Rhode Island—They are just come to an Anchor off Huntington Bay—it is said they have left above five thousand Troops in New York”...
68To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received last Night a Letter from a faithful & intelligent Agent dated the 26th Inst:—of which the following is an Extract—“I think I can now give you a distinct Account of the Ships under Admiral Graves—one ninety, one Eighty, four seventy fours arrived with him—He has since been joined by two of sixty four two of fifty, three of forty Guns & three Frigates making in all sixteen Sail. With...
69To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency the Feild Returns I have received —I expect them all in to Day & they shall be forwarded to Morrow —I recd your Favor demandg them the Day before yesterday, & instantly issued Orders thereupon—I have scarcely a moment to add that all you require shall be most faithfully performed. The Enemy are certainly intending, at least did intend some Enterprize—The inclosed is...
70To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
While the Express was preparing to set off with mine Dated at 12 oClock, the inclosd Packet from major ⟨Ta⟩lmage arriv’d, which he sent by a Horseman and urges me to hasten to your Excellency in such a manner, that I conclude it to be important. I forgot to ⟨Write⟩ in my other letter that I had been inform’d that the Enemy had prevail’d upon many of the Inhabitiants of New york to go on Board...
71To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear from your Excellency about the militia at Clavarac that I mention’d in my letter a day or two Since as I hear they are arriving there very fast. Colo. Hay tells me six thousand will take that Rout my accounts of cattle are not very Encouraging I must give the Purchasers a spur, and again Apply to the state of Connecticut. this casual Express gives me a moment...
72To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The arriving of Graves & yet his not being at New York is at length accounted for—He was joined by Arbuthnot with one Ship of the Line & two Fifty’s, & sail’d eastward —The Object is by some said to be the Interception of the 2d Division of the F⟨renc⟩h Fleet —by others, to convoy to York the Cork victualling Fleet, about which they seem to be very anxious —a third Set suppose, that the...
73To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In mine of this Morning by Express I mention’d to your Excellency that Graves had been join’d by Arbuthnot, and that their Destination was Eastward, their object Variously Spoken of—Since this I have been inform’d that the British Troops were preparing to Embark, and that in Great Force, and that the End of their Movements was Rhode Island, to take our Allies before they had recover’d from the...
74To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 13 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Returns of the Connecticut Brigades were not sent because Genl Huntington said he had given in a Field Return just before He set off for this Post—& that of the first Massachusetts was left out in making up the Packet by Mistake —some small Alterations having happened in that Regiment, a fresh Return is now transmitted. No Recruits have as yet arrived but from the States—of Massachusetts &...
75To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 8 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Orders respecting the new Levies shall be punctually complied with —about ninety arrived yesterday—some of them could not rendezvous at Springfield without going sixty miles out of their Way, so that Genl Fellows forwarded those under such Circumstances directly to this Post. Two Corporals & nine Privates of the Hessian Horse deserted from the Enemy with Arms, Accoutrements,...
76To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 8 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy both with Horse and Infantry in all as Capt. Sackett Writes me, about One Hundred and Fifty of Delancys Corps were up the other day into our Settlements—a Party of this State Troops attach’d to this Command who were Posted on the lines under Captain Sackett, turn’d out to Oppose them, but the Captain finding them Double his number and the Ground he possess’d not very Defensible, he...
77To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 3 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 3 July. On 7 July , GW wrote Howe: “I recd your favr of the 3d with the Returns” ( DLC:GW ).
78To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I send your Exccellency by Mr Moylan all the Returns that are come in, & shall be anxious until I hear they are safe in your Hands. you may perhaps think that Stony & Verplank’s are endowed with more Stores than they ought, but they were lodged in them under Auspices different from those which your Excellency’s last Letters have set up —& to have removed them would have intimated to the...
79To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 30 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
As soon as General Huntingtons Command Arived, I Wrote to Governor Trumbull a letter of which the inclos’d is a Copy and soon after the Express set out I was so happy as to receive Your Excellencys favour by which I found I had Acted with propriety. Your letters to both Governors and to General Fellors were in a moment Forwarded. I made an Instant demand of the Returns Sir you requ[e]sted,...
80To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have Such intelligence as makes it more than probable the Enemy look this way, tho’ not having had it from my most authentic sources I can not speak of it positively. I wish They may Attempt it with all my heart, Contest becomes requisite some where, the carolina Debt should be paid off, and West Point seems to be a good Bank to Draw upon, may it answer their Draughts I pray God I have...
81To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letters, which the Hurry I am in, will I hope excuse my not being able to answer fully—Those Measures which you recommend that have not already been executed, shall be carried into Effect with all possible Expidition—what you have said in one of yours relative to Verplank’s & stony Points, will I am much afraid in our present Situation if literally complied...
82To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
A confidential Agent in New York whose Letter is dated the 18th Inst: confirms the Arrival of Genl Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot with the Return of a considerable Body of Troops from Charles Town & a Fleet of seventy Sail—He says that many of the Officers had been on Shore, but none of the Troops—That they talk great Things against the Jerseys, & confidently of attacking this Post—the latter...
83To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Honour’d with your Excellencys Favour of the 18th Instant—In consequence of my application to Governor Clinton he has Orderd a Body of Militia to join me with all possible expedition, and warn’d a number more to repair to me when Alarm Signals are given —Upon the appearance of some of the Enemies Ships Yesterday, I instantly sent express to Governor Clinton urging the...
84To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Six of the Enemy’s Ships are in View of Verplank’s—two of them, one a Frigate, near Tallow’s Point. 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...
85To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Favor of the 10th Instant has come to Hand—previous to which I had taken Methods to learn what the Enemy meant, & the Intelligence I got led me to think that this Post was ultimately their Aim. I was inform’d that they set out with a View to drive you if possible, & from the diminutive Idea they had of your Force they made no Doubt of effecting it, & that as they made...
86To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Favor of the 15th arrived this Moment—I the Day before yesterday acquainted Governor Clinton with the Situation of this Post—the Aspect Things wore, & suggested to him the Necessity of warning the Militia to be ready on the shortest Notice, & lamented the Absence of the New York Brigade in such Terms as could not I think but contribute to induce his remanding them unless...
87To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I send to your Excellency, under the auspices of Mr Pomroy, a young Gentleman who was a Captain in the British Service by name Joel and who after (as he says) giving up his Commission, came over to this Service. His Case is particular, he will explain it himself, he is young, Sensible, and I should hope Sincere, he can give you some Details, and I think he may with propriety have an audience...
88To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 9 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Having been inform’d that some Difficulty would arise in obtaining the Public Horses from those Persons into whose Hands they had been lodged to forage them through the Winter, & having had it confirmed by many Persons having refused to deliver those up which were call’d for until the[y] were paid the Expence of having foraged them—I directed Col. Hay to proceed in Person, & fall upon Measures...
89To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 6 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Informations I had of the Enemy’s Intentions of marauding in Force, & of which I gave your Excellency an Account yesterday, having been confirm’d to me by Intelligence received various Ways last Night, & from Sources that have seldom been mistaken, have induced me to advance Nixon’s Brigade, & to direct Glover’s to possess their Cantonments near & at the Village, that we may not receive...
90To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 5 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 1st & 3d are before me—Notwithstanding the Hand Bill of Mr Rivington I think there are Reasons to doubt the Authenticity of what he says relative to the Reduction of Charles Town—as Informations from New York obtain’d from the Tories left it safe on the 10th of May, & not apparently in Danger of speedy Subduction. In Consequence of the Report of Sir Harry...
91To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am very sensible of the Embarrassments & perplexities you mention in your private letter, they would I am certain have depress’d, and perhaps subdued almost any mind but yours, and I have often thought, and frequently said, that the difficulties you Encounter and surmount give you more intrinsic Merit than the Victories others have obtain’d; and this I doubt not History will hereafter...
92To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclos’d Copy of a Letter from Governor Trumbull received last Night, I transmit your Excellency without Delay, & should wish to receive your Directions thereupon —The Incursions of the Enemy into this State, & that of Connecticut, the Injuries the[y] do the Inhabitants, & the Benefits the[y] derive from the Supplies they obtain thereby must excite an earnest Desire in every Bosom to...
93To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have been lately out to Horse Neck—I warn’d the Officer of Militia of it, for I had Intelligence of their Intentions—Their Guard however was surpris’d—three were kill’d & two wounded, several Inhabitants carried off & two Houses burnt —They have been, & are collecting Horses from Long Island & elsewhere, & by the Choice they observe in the selecting them, they are for Men, not Teams,...
94To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is impossible to express to your Excellency the Difficulties I have met with to supply this Army with Provision, or the Anxiety of my Mind consequent thereto—the Recollection of it is as painful to myself as the Recital would be to you. The inclos’d Copies of Letters & Proceedings will give you Information ⟨on⟩ the Methods I have been compel’d to adopt—extraordinary perhaps in their Nature,...
95To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Letter of the 16th Instant arrived last Night —Col. Gouvion has been told of your Desire to have him up—He wishes me to inform you that the Want of Forage having rendered it necessary to send his Horses at some Distance from Camp, he can not set out until they are recall’d, which he shall do without Delay, & upon their Arrival will set off immediately. I wish he could have...
96To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The season for taking the Field my Dear General is now arriving, and as I have had my Tour of Duty at this Garrison in a situation as perplexing as anxious, may I venture to hope that when Field Operations do take place, I may not be kept at this Garrison unless Actual service at it should happen. If I know my self at all, and if as a soldier I have any merit, it lies rather in Field service...
97To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
If it is convenient I should be glad to have a part of the Corps of Executioners attached to this Department, those finishers of the Law having become immediately & absolutely necessary to us, If your Excellency thinks it proper please hasten to us some of these People without delay. The Enemy have several times lately been acting against Colo. Millen, with both Horse and Infantry, and he has...
98To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letters marked Private, I have this day received, and immediately sent Major Sargent to Hartford to execute their contents the importance of which I am so sensible of —I conceive the Escort of Horse now ordered annihilates the necessity of the Sergeant and Twelve, ordered in Colo. Meads favor of the 11th received last night, as the marquis’s Baggage is as I hear with Monsieur...
99To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 11 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day a Letter from —— He writes me that He was in New York on the 3d of this Instant—on that Day a Frigate of short Passage arrived from England Express, immediately upon which a Council of War was held—that a Frigate was ordered to prepare for sailing on the Instant to South Carolina, that she sail’d with Dispatches immediately after the Council rise—that the next Day another...
100To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 6 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that a Party under the Command of Capt. Cushing of the 1st Massachusett’s Regt went down the other Night to the Quarters of Col. Delancey, & brought off three Officers & seventeen Privates from within two or three Hundred Yards of their Work Number Eight—Col. Delancey had, luckily for himself, gone out upon some Occasion in the Eveg, & was...