31From 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...
32From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your two favors of the 5th inst. one public the other marked private. The current of my intelligence by different hands and from different quarters bring the enemy’s reinforcement to about 3,000. This corresponds with your accounts —and perhaps is pretty near the truth. The ignorance of the agents of or the want of a proper genius for enquiry or observation may have led...
33From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to hear, by yours of the 9th, of the success of Major Tallmadges excursion. the stroke, tho’ small, may serve to check an insignificant yet troublesome kind of enemy. Your movement must be directed in a great measure, by your own judgment, and by circumstances. I have only one general caution to give you, which is, to let your position (if you find it advisable to take another) be...
34George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 13, 1779. Reports that French fleet is near coast. Orders Howe to Pine Bridge to prevent British from retreating from Kings Ferry to the main body of their troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
35From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have accounts by vessels arrived at different places which make it probable a French fleet is approaching our coast—If this should be the case, it will be of importance to prevent the retreat of the troops at Kings ferry to their main body—The French Commandant will probably do his part to obstruct it by water and our business is to make such dispositions as are calculated to obstruct it by...
36From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 16th Was there occasion for you to remain near Croton, I should think any position, advanced beyond that River, ineligible: But as I am now induced to beleive that the Report of a french Fleet’s being bound for this Coast, is without foundation, I think you may as well march immediately back with Glovers and Nixon’s Brigades to Lower Salem, or to the...
37George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 20, 1779. Transmits complaint from the Third Massachusetts Regiment to Howe. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd your favs. of the 19th and 20th My Accounts from New York by way of Staten Island agree in the main with yours, and General Wayne just now informs me that he is of opinion that the evacuation of both Verplanks and Stoney points is in agitation. You must exercise your own judgment in pitching upon a position, I have only one general Rule to lay down for you, which is, to...
40From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of yesterday with its inclosures. Capt. Willings confinement is by way of retaliation for that of Govr Hamiltons in Virginia. A representation on the subject has gone to the State of Virginia and I hope a mutual release from the present rigorous treatment of both Gentlemen will be the consequence. By Our observartions from this side the River it appears that the enemy have...