21From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 13th Instant. If the Enterprize over the Sound is not already undertaken when this comes to hand, I would wish it to be laid aside intirely—unless its success should appear exceedingly clear & indeed certain. The Object is too unimportant—too contemptible to justify any risk. I have some private motives for not countenancing the expedition in the first...
22George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 17, 1779. Questions honesty of Elijah Hunter, a spy. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday on the subject of our confidential friend. It appears to me that the detail he seems to desire will be rather too minute and tend to excite suspicion instead of giving him credit with the enemy. The idea of what was communicated before was to pretend that he had made general observations and inquiries in the army, and had formed an average estimate of...
24From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
As it is probable, that the new minister from France Monsieur De Luzerne, is on his way from Boston to Philadelphia it will be necessary to have him provided with an escort—you will therefore be so good as to give orders for a captain (a geinteel sensible officer) with his proper command of cavalry (not less than 30) to proceed immediately to Fish-kill. The officer will acquaint me with the...
25From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of Yesterday. I have not the least objection to your foraging as far as you can consistent with safety, and with your present force. My desire to put this post into as perfect a state of security as possible, renders it inconvenient to spare you any more troops. I approve of your determination to leave your Baggage well in your Rear should you go down for the purpose...
26From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
By means of the Spies employed by —— you may, I conceive, obtain very accurate Intelligence of the Incampments Piquets—&ca of the light Troops without Kings bridge & the strength of the Corps—and know whether it is practicable to beat up their quarters with a reasonable prospect of success. The distance, though disadvantageous in some respects, is favourable in others; for being thought to be...
27From 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,...
28George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 24, 1779. Discusses command of militia at Horseneck. Sends advice concerning Howe’s proposed raid. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Horseneck was in Connecticut near Kings Bridge, New York.
29From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favoured with your two letters of yesterday, one public one private—and yesterday with that of the 21st. The conduct of the militia at horseneck is a little extraordinary, but perhaps it is rather an omission than a wilful delinquency. It would however be inexpedient to involve any question of authority upon the occasion and better to make it an affair of management. The...
30From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 26th and 27th inst. public—and that of the 26th marked private. As the arrival of a 74, one of Arbuthnots fleet is mentioned in a New-York print of the 24, I have no doubt but that the whole are in the Hook by this time. It is now our business to learn the particular Regiments which compose the reinforcement, or their general force. this I should...