4261From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Such cases as you have mentioned in your letter of the 11th inst. must frequently occur —We have however endeavoured, to avoid considering the citizens of the States as proper subjects of either military capture or exchange. The operation of this principle would be wholly in favor of the enemy. However when circumstances make it necessary to enter upon such an exchange, it should be made by...
4262From George Washington to Robert Howe, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find myself under the disagreeable necessity of furnishing you with the Copy of Genl Heaths report of 28th Inst. Report made to me yesterday by Major General Heath—In consequence of this I am obliged to call upon you for your Reasons of absenting yourself from your Division on the march from Verplanks Point to this Ground. I am Sir Yr most obt & hbl. servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4263From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two letters of the 4th & 5th inst. We have nothing particular in this quarter for your information. You will be pleased to thank the party of horse in my name for the great gallantry with which they behaved. I am Dr Sir Your Most obt Servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These letters have not been found. A letter from...
4264From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive Mr Pulteney’s lucubrations—and my thanks for the perusal of them. He has made I perceive, the dependance of America essential to the existance of Great Britain as a powerful Nation—This I shall not deny—because I am in sentiment with him in thinking her fallen state in consequence of the seperation too obvious to be disputed—It was of magnitude sufficient to have made...
4265George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] July 28, 1779 . Orders Howe to Ridgefield, Connecticut, to “cover the country and prevent as far as possible the depredations of the enemy.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4266From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed complaint from the Non commissioned officers and soldiers of the third Massachusettes regiment was delivered me by Col. Scammell. As the form in which it appears is improper, and if attended to, might operate as a precedent for sedition, I have directed Col. Scammell to express my disapprobation of the manner of the complaint and point out the proper channel through which redress...
4267From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 16th and 18th two of each date—The Express who brought the last left Kings ferry yesterday Morning at Sun rise and informs me that the Vessels had gone down the River and were out of sight. The posts at Stoney and Verplanks points were established more with a view of preventing the communication from being interrupted by a vessel or two with a small body of Men,...
4268From George Washington to Robert Howe, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received with much Pleasure your Congratulations conveyed to me in your Favr of the 4th. I think, Considering the length of Time already passed since your Operations in Georgia, that you are quite in the Right to have the Inquiry on your Conduct during that Time, brot to as early Decision as Circumstances will admit—I can easily conceive your present Situation to be very disagreable—& wish...
4269From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your two favors of the 16 and 17th instant. I am pleased to find that the notice you had received of the preparations of the enemy, was such as to anticipate my information to you on this subject. Should any attempt be really intended, and take place, against this or your quarter, I am satisfied that nothing which our circumstances will permit, will be left undone, on your...
4270From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of yesterday I observed that through the assistance of —— & his agents, and other Channels, you might obtain accurate knowledge of the position of the enemy without Kings-bridge. I am still of the same opinion; but under the idea I entertain of —— I do not conceive it would be expedient in you to drop the smallest hint by which he could discover the tendency of these enquiries,...
4271From George Washington to Robert Howe, 31 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your private letter of the 21st, & should have given it an acknowledgement sooner but thought a few days would have let me more into the views of Congress with respect to the Peace Establishment than I had any knowledge of at the time of its receipt—I am as much in the dark now as ever, and as unable to guess at the number of Troops which may be retained or raised for...
4272From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th reached me this morning. The principal part of the army yesterday marched to this place—Last night I received a letter from General Greene who commands the corps near the enemy containing the following paragraph, “Mr——this moment returned from Elizabeth Town. He says that General Clinton with the whole British army will be in motion this evening; that three thousand are...
4273George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 15, 1780 . Warns of possible attack by British. Sends instructions for the defense of West Point. States, however, “if the enemy’s designs should be against this army, you may be useful to us by making a demonstration in your quarter.” Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4274George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 18, 1780 . Reports that Sir Henry Clinton is arriving from the South. Warns of possible attack. Instructs Howe to apply to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for reinforcements. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4275From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the Arran g emt of Field Officers in the Mass. Line; but as it is not final & may be subject to alteration from various contingency, I have not thought proper that it should be announced in the General Orders—but it will be necessary for you to post the Field Officers to the Regt agreeably to that arrangement, until further Orders that they may take their Commands...
4276From George Washington to Brigadier General Robert Howe, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not long since I was honoured with a visit from Colonel Walton, One of the Delegates of Georgia to the Continental Congress who suggested the propriety of an Expedition against St Augustine, requesting at the same time my Opinion to be communicated to you. If the measure can be attempted with a probability of Success, it is much to be desired; but circumstanced as I am in point of situation &...
4277V. From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received such advices from Congress respecting the French fleet under the command of Count D’Estaing, that I have not a doubt of his coming to this part of the Coast for the purposes of cooperation—nor of his being upon it immediately. I therefore request you to resume yr position on Croton—near pines bridge to effect, if possible, the end mentioned in my letter of the 13th Ulto. I am...
4278George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 25, 1779 . Regrets that Howe’s injury is more serious than was at first believed. Sends news of British movements. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4279From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday about three hours ago —For the reasons you assign, I approve of the alterations you have made in the disposition of the troops which had taken place previous to your arrival. I am sorry the proposed removal of the Militia from horseneck has met with the opposition you mention—In the late position of the enemy they were exposed to the most imminent danger;...
4280From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 27th and 30th ulto and that of the 3d instant covering a letter from Genl Heath—Mr Moylan has not yet come in—I imagine he is stopped by the heavy rain. I am informed that Genl Glover had missed my letter directing him to stop at Springfeild for the purpose of receiving and forwarding the drafts of Massachusetts —I make no doubt but you have sent him back to...
4281From George Washington to Robert Howe, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the command of the Detachment ordered to march to Philadelphia in consequence of the Letter of the Presidt of Congress of the 21st instant—you will move with as much expedition as you can consistently with the health & comfort of the Troops—This Corps must be absolutely light & unencumbered with Baggage, having only two Peices of Field Artillery—you will make Arrangements with...
4282George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 16 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 16, 1779 . Orders Howe to reconnoiter Verplanks Point and to try to force the enemy into deserting that post. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4283From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is thought from a view of the fortifications on Verblanks point that there is a ⟨g⟩ood prospect of possessing our selves of the Garrison. You will therefore march down your troops and open a battery against their Block House as soon as possible. After beating the block House about their Ears if you can find any apprehensions in the Garrison for their safety, You will make a disposition of...
4284From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You all the Letters which have been sent or received by me, on the subject of Colo. Mitchells attending the Trial of Major General Arnold. They are all numbered in regular order from No. 1 to 9 Inclusive. When the Court have read them, they will be pleased to return them. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem gentn Your Most Obt st Df , in Robert...
4285George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 25, 1779 . Orders Howe to appoint a court of inquiry to investigate the complaint against Colonel John Greaton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4286From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning been favd with your private and public letters of yesterday. The Reinforcement of the enemy —their vigilance at their advanced posts—and seeming desire to draw you down towards them, all conspire to forbid your making any attempt upon them, and to cause a more than common attention on your part. Finding by the date of yours of yesterday that you was still at lower salem, I...
4287From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am favord with your Letter of Yesterday. When you mentiond to me the other day the probability of your Affairs requiring your presence at Boston—I believe I told you that if there was an absolute necessity for it—leave should be granted—It is painfull to me to Refuse an Officer any Indulgence it is in my power to grant, but some thing is due to other considerations, the good of Service and...
4288From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your (private) letter of the 7th. The present Æra is big of events—the next ten or twelve days will, most assuredly bring forth something of importance—till which (I mean till the designs of the enemy are a little more unfolded) I shall not think it consistent with military prudence to make further detachments from this army however desirous I may be to beat up the enemys...
4289From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 11th came safe to hand. The rumour of my going to the Southward has nothing, at this time, to support it. In consequence of the preparations which were making at New York to embark Troops; & the intelligence I had received of the destination of them, I gave information to Congress—accompanied with a state of our strength, & the disagreeable circumstances under wch we...
4290George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 April 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 28, 1780 . Discusses deficiencies of Army. Instructs Howe to “set on foot a collection of boats on the river” in order to “make a demonstration of a movement on our part.” Asks Howe to direct Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Baptiste Gouvion to “repair to this army.” Emphasizes that supplies for main Army are not to be diverted. Df , in writing of H, George Washington...