1To John Adams from William Heath, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor of the Receipt of yours of the 5th. Instant, and shall think myself fortunate if by writeing or Otherwise, I can in the least Contribute to the Good of my Country, or Advantage of my Native Colony. It is not Surpriseing that Jealousies do Subsist, and that Misrepresentations have been made, respecting our Colony by some , But Such will be despised, by the Wise...
2To John Adams from William Heath, 22 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Being informed that you begin your Journey for Philadelphia this week, I would beg to recommend to your Consideration the Services of Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin, who Joyned the Army the Beginning of the last Campaign, and has Continued ever Since in the army as an Engineer on the works. He has received for the months of June and July from the Assembly of our Colony Colonels Pay. But as the...
3To John Adams from William Heath, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I must ask your Pardon for having repeatedly received your favors Since I have been in the Army, without returning you an Acknowledgement of them. From the opinion which I have long had of your abilities and Patriotism, I have wished for an Intimate Acquaintance with you, And Shall ever Consider it as a great Honor to Correspond with you. In your last to me of the 15th. of April you were...
4To John Adams from William Heath, 14 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The French Frigate Nimphe Commanded by the Chevalier Senneville returning directly to France I cannot omit so favorable an oppertunity of testifying my esteem in wishing that you may have had a safe and agreeable passage from America to France, and of congratulating you on the present agreeable and promissing aspect of our public Affairs. Previous to the arrival of Mr. Dean with the public...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 21 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that Major Vose of my own Regiment; beside⟨s⟩ securing the Barley on Nantasket; yesterday morning Landed on the Light-House Island with Six or Seven Boats, the Light House was set on Fire and the wood work Burnt, the Party brought off Three Casks of Oyl, all the furniture of the Light house, about 50 wt of Gun Powder, a Quantity of Cordage &c. (an...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 21 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Informed by the Revd Mr Foster, Chaplin to Colo. Scammons Regt That One Mr Page an Episcopalian Minister, is takeing plans of all our works—That he was yesterday viewing the works at Roxbury in order to Correct his plans, That he Acquainted the Revd Mr Belknap who is now in Cambridge, that he was going for England, and by those plans would Strive to Convinc my Lord Dartmouth,...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 13 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Camp at Cambridge, 13 February 1776. Recommends the Rev. Jacob Foster as chaplain of the 7th and 18th regiments. ALS , DLC:GW . This letter is appended to a letter of 9 Feb. from the field officers of the two regiments indicating their choice of Foster as their chaplain. Col. William Prescott commanded the 7th Continental Regiment, and Col. Edmund Phinney commanded the 18th Continental...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 22 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I some Time Since Reported, that Colonels Prescott & Phinny, had Chosen the Revd Mr Foster for the Chaplin of those Regiments This Choice is but Temporary as it is at Present Uncertain whether Mr Foster Can be absent from his Own Parrish for more than a month or Two, I now beg leave further to report that Colonels Greaton & Baldwin have made Choice of the Revd Mr Barnum for the Chaplin of...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Pursuance of General Orders, I Visited the Guards on Yesterday, beginning at Cambridge Main Guard, from thence to the Store Magazine Main Guard at Winter Hill, Plowd Hill, White House, Main Guard on prospect Hill, Cobble Hill, Leichmears point, & Bridge, & North Redoubt found the Guards in good Order Save at Leichmears point Bridge, where the proper Guard had not been mounted, and One...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 3 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Visited the Guards on Yesterday, found them in Good Order, Ordered Grand Rounds to begin their Round at Eleven, Visiting Rounds at Three and Patroles between each Relief, Officers of the Day Report, That in the Night, they found the Guards Vigilant, & Sentinels remarkably Alert. At Five this morning I visited the Guards at Lechmeres point, found them in the Works reinforced with five...
11To 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...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Visited the Guards on Yesterday before noon, found them in Good Order, Ordered Grand Rounds at Eleven, Visiting Rounds at half Past Three and Patroles between each Relief, Grand Rounds Report that they found the Guards Vigilant, and Sentinels Alert. Capt. of the White House Guard Reports That the Enemy worked all night, That at 4 oClock this morning the Bells rang in Boston, and a number of...
13To 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...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 27 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
There not being water in the River Sufficient to float the Transports over the Bar with the Troops on Board, to new London, I therefore marched, the Brigade Down by Land, and Ordered the Transports to fall Down, Three of the Transport got a Ground, and are not yet off; Heaven favours us this morning with a fine Wind I have Ordered, the Brigade to Embarque Immediately, and proceed for Newyork,...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General William Heath, 31 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
on Yesterday I arrived in this City with the Brigade, and flatter my Self that Considering the Badness of the Roads Stormy weather &c. your Excellency will not think that I have been either Negligent or dilitory on the march. General Schuyler Still remains at Albany and the Command of the army at present devolves on me, I have this day ordered a Return of the army, But have it not in my Power...
16To George Washington from Brigadier Generals William Heath, Joseph Spencer, Nathanael Greene, and Lord Stirling, 27 June … (Washington Papers)
In Considering the Several Matters which your Excellency has been pleased to referr to us; we do with regard to Long Island and Staten Island think it absolutely Necessary for the Safety & defence of this Colony that all the Stock of Cattle and Sheep (Except such as may be requisite for the present Subsistance of the Inhabitants) be removed to a distance from the Sea Coast and that this be...
17To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Last night the Fire Ships & Row Gallies made an attempt, Upon the Enemys ships, which lay at Anchor up the River, The Fire ships were well Conducted, the Armed Schooner was Grappled and Burnt, The Phenix was Grappled for a Bought Ten minutes, But got herself Clear, The Lady Washington Galley and Independence, were Conducted with Great Judgment and Bravery, I wish I could Say that the Other...
18To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Early this morning the Phoenix Man of War, Rose Frigate & the Two Tenders, came to Sail & stood down the River, keeping close under the East Shore, in order to avoid the Fire of our Cannon; but notwithstanding this Precaution, the Phoenix was thrice Hull’d by our Shot from Mount Washington, & one of the Tenders once—The Rose was Hull’d once by a Shot from Burdit Ferry—They kept their men...
19To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to Inform you, that we have taken out of the wreck of the Tender lately burnt up the north River, The following Cannon Vizt One Six Pounder, Two Three Do One Two Do and Ten Swivels, One Cabooses and Apron, Two Cutlasses, Two Gun Barrels, One Crow bar and 4 Gapp[l]in[g]s and Chains, Lieut. Landon of Colo. Nicolls Regiment with Two of the Company to Which he belongs went off...
20To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor this moment to receive yours of the last Evening Inclosing Copy of a Letter from Genl Livingston. I can Assure your Excellency that every thing in my Power shall be Done to be in Readiness, either to receive the Enemy here or to afford you Aid, Fort Washington is in Good order, but our works here are not yet Compleated, and we are as yet Entirely without any Cannon...
21To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor this moment to receive your Orders for augmenting the Detachment designed for your Aid—Genl Mifflin, Clinton & myself an Hour or Two Ago had determined upon the same Plan, and think our Selves happy in having the same order’d by your Excellency—The Detachment shall be got ready with all Expedition, & Officer’d with the best Officers which we have, Genl Mifflin will command...
22To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am so unhappy as not to receive your Letter Untill this moment, having been all this forenoon with the Engineers viewing the Ground & laying out the works, But upon Sight of your Letter I have ordered the Detachment Here to Parade and march for Mount Washington as Soon as Possable, And the Detachment at that place which Consists of near Eight Hundred to march forward agreable to your...
23To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Order to Ease Head Quarters as much as Possible, And on Account of our Distance from thence, General or Garrison Court Martials have been Appointed at this Post for the Tryal of Offenders, Brigadier General Mifflen has Sent me the Inclosed this Day, But I pause Untill I Know your Excellency’s Pleasure (which I Desire you would be pleased to Signify as Soon as Convenient) whether the before...
24To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just had the Honor to receive your’s of this day’s Date, & shall continue in the most perfect readiness, the Detachment designed for your Aid if Occasion should require it—I will further confer with the Brigadier Generals & Engineers, on the Probability of the Fire Rafts answering the Purpose of a floating Bridge, It is my own, as well as Genl Clinton’s Opinion that they will, and it...
25To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Express this moment, I am Informed that Two Ships and One Brig are Just Come to Anchor above Frog Point near the New City—I have Instantly Detached Colo. Graham with his Regiment with orders to prevent their Landing to Pillage or Burn, I Imagine that more ships will follow them—But whether their Plan is only to Block up the Sound or to make a Diversion on this Side, Time must Discover, I...
26To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
A Sloop from Red Hook (up the North River) has Just Come to Anchor near this Place, having on Board about 4 Tons & half of Gun Powder made at Livingstons Mills which was to be Deliver’d to your Excellency at New York, but the master has Stoped here Untill He Knows your Pleasure where to Land it. A very Extraordinary Report has Just Spread here, that whether True or false we are as yet...
27To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Ever Since my arrival at New york I have considered this Post to be the Key of the Island, and Consequently of great Importance[.] Its Importance at this Time is apparently Enhanced, And much more is necessary to be Done than we Can Possibly Do with our few Scattered Troops, General Clintons five Regiments Consist of near 1400 Rank and file fit for Duty Two Hundred of that number are on...
28To 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...
29To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since Enclosing—Col. Remsen’s Regiment are here, they say their Time of Engagement is up this Day many of them are desirous, to go over and if possible save their Families & Effects, Should be glad to know your Excellency’s Pleasure in this respect—They say they mean to return, I cannot answer for them—I suppose the like Applications will be made by many of Col. Smith’s Men—I beg an immediate...
30To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Information that a Large Body of the Enemy appeared Opposite to Hunts Point Just before Sun Sit and Pitched their Tents on an Hill to the number of 100 or more[.] it is also Said that numbers of men have been Put on Board the Ships, this Day, I have Ordered the Regiments to lie on their Arms &c. I have the Honor to be &c. with great respect your Excellencys most...