191To George Washington from William Heath, 19 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed News paper came to hand the last evening, altho it is not of a very late date but the latest I have received. I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excellencys most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
192To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Goodrich was Taken at Quebeck on the 31st of Decemr 1775 When General Montgomery made his Unfortunate attempt upon that City—Capt. Goodrich is a Brave and Good officer, He was not Exchanged Untill Since Christmass—And has as yet no Appointment in Our Army—His Zeal for the Publick Service is Such that upon Hearing the Army stood in need of a Reinforcment He Immediately...
193To George Washington from William Heath, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I forward One Robert Dean, a Deserter from Robinsons Corps who came here this morning—he appears to have a good knowledge of the Enemies Lines on this Side the City of New York on which he has worked, but Seems to know little more. Major Woodbridge writes me that he is informed Deans "character has not been equal to his present pretentions," but nothing more respecting him. I have the honor to...
194To George Washington from William Heath, 22 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
To accommodate the officers of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, I have this day consented that Lieut. Joshua Danforth should be paymaster to the regiment in the room of Lieut. Storer and that Lieut. Ames take the place of Lieut. Crock of the Same Regiment, have mentioned it in my orders of this day, and hope your Excellencys approbation, I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your...
195To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 8th—The 100 barrells of salted beef, or as many Tierces as will be equal to that quantity, the beef being cheifly in the latter, shall be forwarded to Albany as soon as a vessell can be procured. The Invalids of the six months Levies have been discharged, & for some days past six men of those worst cloathed from each regiment This haveing taken off the principle...
196To George Washington from William Heath, 18 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is Just come to hand with the person who was Sent up a few Days Since a Deserter from the Enemy on their late excursion to Haverstraw. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obedt Sert MHi : Heath Papers.
197To George Washington from William Heath, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the present stage of the war the officers of the Massachusetts line have thought it an object highly interesting to them to know whether their state will conform to an ordinance of congress of October 1780, granting half pay for life to the officers who should continue in service to the end of the war—or if this mode should not be agreeable to the genius and inclination of the people, to...
198To George Washington from William Heath, 19 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Williams Brigade Major of the 2nd Massachusetts Brigade, has been tried at a General Court Martial for not furnishing a detail laid on the Brigade by the D.A.G., has been acquitted by the Court and the Judgment approved by your Excellency, this has been done in consequence of Colonel Putnam Commandant of the Brigade forbiding Capt. Williams furnishing the detail, Colonel Putnam...
199To George Washington from William Heath, 28 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the general order of the 25th instant, the left wing of the army decamped the morning of the 26th and commenced their march for this place—the day proved very rainy—the troops halted in the vicinity of Nelson’s-point, & lay in the woods that night. The 27th began early to cross the ferry at West-point—The troops had all crossed by half past twelve—The march was continued over...
200To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am Just returned (much Fatigued) from East Chester Bay, where I have been with Genl Clinton and Colonel Chester to Reconnoitre the Ground. I have the Honor this moment to receive yours of this Day, and have Immediately ordered all the Teams here or that Can be Procured to be Sent to you —Would to God that the Business of a Certain Department, was Performed with alertness, I wish it may not...
201To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 28th Ulto —have made a distribution of the Troops assigned to my Command, conformable to your pleasure, where it has been signifyed, & in other cases, have acted according to my own discretion, and hope it will meet your Excellencys approbation. The New Jersey Line have gone to Pompton. The New York Regiments, now embarking their baggage in order to...
202To George Washington from William Heath, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence from the water guard, which I believe may be fully depended on, That the fleet of transports having the troops on board, sailed from New York on wednesday morning last, the 21st instant—the same number that had put to sea before, and returned, having been chased in by the French fleet—Sir Harry Clinton is gone in the fleet—report says, to the southward....
203To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Major Maxwell came to hand last evening. Colo. Delancy, a day or two since sent up a Flag to Major Maxwell with a verbal proposal for the exchange of some of the prisoners taken at Morrissania: as it almost immediately preceded their excursion; it was probably designed to discover our situation. Inclosed is also a letter this day received from Major General Parsons. I have...
204To George Washington from William Heath, 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed from Capt. Cleaveland of the corps of sappers and miners, was put into my hand the last evening. My not having knowledge of your Excellency’s orders and intentions respecting the matter obliges me to lay it before you. Enclosed is a New York paper of the 3d the only one I have been able to obtain since the one of the 28th ulto. it came to hand this morning. Capt. Pray writes me...
205To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
It has for some time past been reported that numbers of women frequent going to and comeing from the Enemy at Ver Planks Point by which intelligence undoubtedly can be communicated to any part of the Country—I take the liberty to enclose a letter which I received from Genl Nixon the last evening and request your Excellencys direction in this and other like instances—The women are yet detaind...
206To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an application from Lieutenant Colonel Tudor of Colo. Henleys Regiment for leave to resign his appointment in that Regiment, finding but ill success in recruiting the Regiment. He has for some time discovered an inclination to resign; but having a few days since married a young Lady here, he now appears anxious to do it, and I imagine cannot be persuaded otherwise. I am...
207To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
A relation of disagreable circumstances has of late composed my correspondence. this is of the Same complexion. The enclosed I received this morning about 10 oClock. The detachment who have been doing duty on the Lines consisted of 250 rank and File, properly officer’d & commanded by a Feild officer whose instructions were to be constantly moving between Hudsons river and Bedford, Croten River...
208To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your Orders the night before last for the march of General Parsons’s Brigade, and yesterday noon the Three Regiments at Peeks-Kill began their march, making about 500 men which are now here—I have ordered Huntingtons and Tylers to Joyn me they may make about three Hundred men, after leaving a Captain & 50 men as a Guard at the Pass in the mountains Colonel Vose with Greatons Bonds &...
209To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from Mr Commissary Stevens, in which he expresses himself as follows: “Mr Forsyth’s clerk informs me that one hundred barrels of flour and twelve barrels of beef were left at Pecks kill, which were sent there for the detachment that marched last week, and that they were without guard. I wish, if you think proper, you would give directions for them to be...
210To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly of this State have passed a resolve to raise the number of men required to compleat their Battallions; and have, I am informed, directed that they be Sent to me to be mustered, and ordered to their destinations. I shall immediately order two or three officers from Colonel Green’s Regiment, with Some Serjeants to receive them here, and put them to the drill. It is probable...
211To George Washington from William Heath, 23 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your several letters of the 22d and a letter address’d to General Sir Guy Carlton. Your pleasure signifyed in the letters shall be duly observed—the letter to Sir Guy Carleton forwarded to the enemies out post. It has been enjoyned on the Troops at the late musters and Inspections to be constantly supplied with fifty rounds of cartridges pr man; these cannot be always...
212To George Washington from William Heath, 15 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Hutts being divided and allotted to the four reformed Massachusetts Regiments I have directed the Troops to move into their Quarters tomorrow morning accordingly which compleats the reform of the Regt. The reform has broken up the Commandss of the Brigadiers and renders some orders from your Excellency respecting them necessary as soon as you may think it proper in the present state the...
213To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your Excellency’s Letter of the 7th Inst. you are pleased to leave the Settlement of the Arms that have been lost, to me—Observing that Justice should be done to the Public & to Individuals—I have been endeavoring to Settle with some of the Regiments, but I find the matter so embarrass’d, that I cannot compleat it without again applying to your Excellency for Direction. Some Regiments, in...
214To George Washington from William Heath, 24 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The troops have not been able to draw any meat for this day or two past, there being neither fresh or salted provisions at the post to issue. This is a disagreeable consideration in itself; but the present want of the troops is not all. In case of any emergency, the posts and troops will be in the most critical situation. I have repeatedly represented to mr Sands the necessity of having...
215To George Washington from William Heath, 8 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I wish to know whether it be your excellency’s pleasure that the absence of major John Porter of the Massachusetts line should be taken cognizance of by a general court-martial. He stands eldest major in the line—the dismission of lieutenant-colonel Badlam opens a vacancy for a lieutenant-colonel—Major Maxwell is second major in the line, and is very anxious to know how the promotion is to be...
216To George Washington from William Heath, 19 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 22nd ultimo, and 6th instant. I beleive your Excellency’s answer to the Senate and House of Representatives of this Commonwealth, respecting the eastern frontiers, was under present circumstances Satisfactory. I took the liberty in mine of the 22nd ultimo to mention that my private affairs would not well admit of my Joining the Army before the 15th of...
217To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 26th—have ordered the New Jersey Line to hold itself in readiness to move on the shortest notice—The New York Line to move over to the East side of Hudsons river, & hutt adjoining the New Hampshire Line, except the strongest regiment, which is to hutt near Robinsons Mills; for the purpose mentioned. Colonel Hazens Regiment is ordered to Fish Kill. In a former...
218To George Washington from William Heath, 11 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
All accounts from New York agree that the enemy are at work day and night in refitting their men of war and preparing fire-ships, ten or twelve of which, it is said, will be completed by the 14th—I hope the account which I sent of this the 7th & which was the first knowledge I obtained of it, reached your Excellency. The fire-ships are taken from the transports and Goodriche’s fleet—they are...
219To George Washington from William Heath, 10 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Heath, 10 Aug. 1779. On 10 Aug., GW wrote Heath: “I have to acknowlege your favor of this day with its inclosure to your address from Gen: Nixon.”
220To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 22–23 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening Reached Norwich, having left Colo. Pattersons Division about Twenty miles Back on the Road. The men march with Surprising Agility Scarcely Complaining of being fatigued But the Road being Extreemly mirry and in Some places Almost Impassable Greatly Impedes the waggons which is an Obstruction to the whole; 23rd this morning Rode to the Landing, find the Shiping in a good way and...
221To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on the arrival of the French Storeship at Portsmouth Intelligence of which together with the Invoice of the Stores I suppose you Received Some Days Since ⅌ the Express, I hope this to be but the foretaste of a Plentifull Harvest from the Same Quarter, and Indeed this arrival is very Seasonable for without Some of the Arms, I Cannot at present See...
222To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 6 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Visited the Guards Yesterday Afternoon, found them in Good Order, But Some of them, deficient in their number, Occasioned by the Extraordinary Drafts from Some of the Brigades. I gave Orders for the Grand Rounds at Eleven—Visiting Rounds at Three, Patroles Between each Relief, The Guards in the out Posts were reinforced in the Evening, Officers of the Day Report that in the Night they found...
223To George Washington from William Heath, 9 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed your Excellency will find a receipt of the delivery of the letter you were pleased a few days since to direct to me to forward to the enemies lines—and two newspapers brought up by the Officer who went with the flag—They are not of so late a date as some I have before sent, but as they contain some debates in the british house of commons probably not inserted in the other papers sent,...
224To George Washington from William Heath, 29 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Captain Pray has just written me that he lately sent a serjeant and two men as a patrole down below the block-house at Dobbs’ ferry as far as the ship, to observe if there was not a communication kept up with the main. The ship’s boat with the lieutenant on board came over to the Jersey shore after two deserters who had crossed—the serjeant and two men fired on the boat and drove her off—it is...
225To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday a Xebeck arrived in this port from Spain, and a Cutter from France, I have this day forwarded the Letters to Congress ⅌r Express. If we may give credit to common reports brought by these Vessels Chesepeck or Deleware will soon (if they are not already) be honored with a French Squardron, and the Letters in the Mail, addressed to the Count de Estaing Vice Admiral in the French Fleet,...
226To George Washington from William Heath, 19 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with yours of the 17th. I apprehend it will be necessary to lay General Bevilles letter before the Arbitrators as a check upon the representations which will be made by the State Agent of the great number of horses kept, and forrage consumed by the French Army. Your Excellencys observations shall be subjoined. Enclosed is a letter from Major Gibbs and a New York...
227To George Washington from William Heath, 26 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your’s of this date. I ordered the gun-boat fitted some ten or twelve days since and sent her to the water guard, with instructions to Capt. Pray to make use of her where she would be most serviceable for the protection of the guard boats—to keep a look-out, &c. I do not know particularly how she was employed or stationed the last year; if differently from what I have...
228To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning at half past three oClock, I received the enclosed pr Express From Capt. Hopkins—it is probable further Intelligence will come to hand in the Coarse of the Day, if their should it shall be transmitted immediately. can Capt. Hopkins purchase the Horses he has taken for the Use of the Regt? I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most obedient Servt ADfS ,...
229To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some Time in the month of april last Capt. Willoe of the Troops of the Convention, went to Canada by the way of Hallifax in order to forward to this Place the Baggage Belonging to those Troops—to which by the Convention they had a Right if it was found necessary, nothing has been heard of Capt. Willoe Since, General Phillips applies for leave for an other Officer to go to Canada by the way of...
230To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed from Colonel Wesson & Capn Bonnell of Colonel Spencers regiment, were handed to me yesterday. I wish to know Your Excellencys opinion concerning them. Our situation grows every day more alarming with respect to provissions, especially Flour; we had not the last evening, one days allowance of the latter; at the Post. A small quantity it is said has arrived at Fish Kill Landing, but...
231To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed I have Just received, the Gentlemen are here on furlough from Major General Sullivan, I mentioned to them that as the Regt was with General Sullivan, it would have been proper for them to have Applied to him, They acquaint me that they mention’d it to the General before they left providence and that He advised them to apply to your Excellency through me I fear the greater part of...
232To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few minutes since John Williams Esqr. formerly of Boston, arrived here in 35 days passage from L’Orient in France. He informs me that Count du Chaffault sail’d from France the 2d of May with 7 Sail of the Line 5 frigates and about 100 sail of transports having 10,000 on board —the Fleet has provisions for nine months for the whole of the troops and two millions of Crowns in Specie. By what...
233To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Post setting off rather sooner on Monday than common prevented mine of the 11th Instant being forwarded by him. An application from Governor Trumbull of Connecticutt to Mr Langdon, copy of which Mr Langdon has ⟨Sent m⟩e occasions my writing to your Excellency by Express. ⟨Governo⟩r Trumbull has represented to Mr Langdon that the State of Connecticutt seems now “to be the Object of the...
234To George Washington from William Heath, 19 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed information I had yesterday from Isaac Colton, the person mentioned therein. He says, such was the conversation in September and October last at Mr Motts tavern where he quartered, and which was a principal rendezvous of the Pennsylvania refugees. Whether those miscreants have given over their plan or not, I cannot say—but have thought it my duty to communicate it to your...
235To George Washington from William Heath, 5 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a New York paper of the 1st instant, the latest which has come to hand, and a letter I have just received from colonel Tupper. Twenty-seven recruits arrived yesterday from Massachusetts. By letters and other information the recruiting service is successful at the eastward. I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant DLC : Papers of...
236To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with yours of the 2d Inst. respecting Capt. Cartwright & beg your Excellency to accept my thanks for your determination respecting him. A Resolve of the General Assembly of this State of which the enclosed is Copy, was sent to me the 24th Inst. I am endeavoring to detain three Commission’d Officers and one Serjeant from each Regt belonging to the Massachusetts Line for the...
237To George Washington from William Heath, 19 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with Yours of yesterday, in obedience to which a company of light infantry march’d to Peeks Kill early this morning with two days provision; as the weather has been bad probably it has prevented Your Excellency’s going to Peeks Kill this day—The company which marched this day will be out of provisions tomorrow evening—I shall order another company tomorrow with...
238To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Lee’s Regiment marched on Fryday morning last at break of day to join your Excellency. Colo. Jackson on Tuesday, who is about 230 strong including Officers. I have obtained a Detachment from the Militia to guard the Stores and Magazines at this place Dorchester, Cambridge &c. A Vessel has lately arrived at Dartmouth with twenty Chests of Arms, Ten Bales of Tents, and a quantity of...
239To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
What Fatality Attends the Sinking of the Chevaux De Frise I cannot tell, I was Extremely Uneasy yesterday at the Delay, I went to the Place, Called Capt. Cooke on Shore, told him every moment was precious, and that if any Benifit was ever to be reaped from them it would Probably be Soon, He told me that they met with many & Great Dificulties, that the night before last one of the Vessells...
240To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Opinion of Mr Duer & other Gentlemen of the Committee of Convention of the State of New York —Since I wrote mine of Yesterday, I have seen General Lincoln & Mr Duer, both of whom are in sentiment with me that there is but little prospect of Advantage from an attempt to surprise Fort Independence, as the Enemy appear very alert—I have ordered the Troops to be in readiness to...