1From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Duplicates of my letters of the 30th ulto—the originals of which having been sent by a soldier on foot, I am apprehensive he may have been detained by the Weather —I have since recd your favr of the 28th March —The intelligence communicated in it, urges the necessity of drawing down poors Brigade as expeditiously as possible, and also points out the expediency of endeavouring...
2From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the report of the march of yesterday, it appears there was to your baggage a guard of a serjeant and four men, contrary to the regulations and to General orders. I am persuaded this must have happened by mistake; but as it is of the greatest importance that the General officers should set an example of regularity to the army I mention the matter to you that you may take effectual care to...
3George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 27, 1780 . Sends instructions for the march to Kings Ferry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4From 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...
5George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 29, 1781 . Sends instructions to have loyal troops remain near the New Jersey line. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 26th—The Army will move from this Ground tomorrow Morning by the Paramus Route, you will therefore direct your dispatches in future to take that Road. Our present stock of Musket Cartridges being very insufficient for the probable demand, you will be pleased to order seventy or eighty Infantry and about twenty Artillery Men to take Colo. Lambs directions for carrying...
7From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased without delay to repair to Ridgefield and take your quarters with that part of your command—This will comprehend Glovers brigade the cavalry Armands independent corps and the militia in service in that part of the country—The primary object of this command is to cover the country and prevent as far as possible the depredations of the enemy; but this is not to be done at the...
8From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of the 23d. By a deserter this day from Verplanks point I have recd pretty good information of the late movements upon that and Stoney point. He says they have sent down three Regiments and have upon that account contracted their Works. I have nothing to do with the Regulations in the Commissaries department. the Deputy attending your division must represent the...
9From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The constant Attention I have been obliged to pay to the March of the Troops—forwarding Stores—procuring Necessaries &c. for the Expedition in Contemplation with other unavoidable Circumstances, have prevented my giving an Answer to your private Letter, which I received at Philadelphia, before this Day. I am very sorry you have taken up the Matter in so serious a Light as seems to appear from...
10George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 12 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 12, 1779 . Reports that Major General Benedict Arnold’s court-martial is to be held at Morristown on December 20, 1779. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of this date with the two prisoners of War. I shall put them into the hands of the Commy of prisoners who makes frequent exchanges of the few privates of ours now of days in the possession of the enemy, by which means Colo. Sheldons Men will probably soon regain their liberty in the regular way. You will be pleased to furnish Capt. Lequaw’s Company with provision and...
12From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to furnish the Bearer Mr Abraham Marlin with two Whale Boats well armed, for the purpose of sounding Haverstraw Bar. You will not let the persons who are to go in the Boats, or any others, know of this business previous to its execution, for should it come to the knowledge of the enemy, they might by sending up a Galley, interrupt it intirely. I am &. Df , in Tench...
13From George Washington to Robert Howe, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an...
14From George Washington to Robert Howe, 10 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
If your application is not to Congress—directly—it must be through the Secretary at War agreeable to a Resolve of Congress. The enquiry into your conduct was instituted in consequence of an order of Congress & was once before the board of War. Your coming to this place was by no order of mine & consequently the Necessity of it unknown to me—The Acct will, no doubt, be referred to the board of...
15From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hay delivered me your letter of the 18th of April. It is lamentable that we should be obliged to experience such distresses as we do every where. Those we feel here are not inferior to yours—we are constantly on the point of starving for want of provision and forage—A deficiency of money is the cause, and a cause for which the present situation of affairs renders it infinitely difficult...
16From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of the same date together with the Report of the Board of Officers, appointed to inspect Provisions. If there are any Blunderbusses & Swivels, I have no objection that Capt. Pray should be furnished with them, tho I think, that vigilance and attention, will be his surest protection against the Enemy. I have to request that you will be pleased to attend at...
17From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two letters—both of the 21st. The approbation of the Court of enquiry on Col. Greaton has been in General orders —and transmitted by the Adjutant general to Genl Heath. I am sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These letters from Howe to GW have not been found. For GW’s concerns when non-commissioned officers and...
18From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers convened at New Windsor N.Y. the 12th day of June 1781. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief M. General Lord Stirling Brigadiers Generals Knox Genl Howe Paterson Genl Parsons Hand Genl McDougall Huntington Du Portail
19From 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...
20From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 3 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Flour began to move from hence last night and will be sent on as quick as the Waggons come in. There will be five or six hundred Barrels. You will be pleased to have Boats immediately sent down to Kings ferry to receive it upon its arrival there. The account of the Fleet mentioned in mine of the 1st instant seems to have been premature: The Officer stationed at Elizabeth town has made...
21From George Washington to Robert Howe, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kirkland has delivered me your letter of Yesterday with one from B. Genl Patterson, respecting King under sentance of Death. In Consequence of their sollicitations in his Favr, I have consented that he shall be pardoned for his Offence—& not subjected to the Execution of his Sentence; his Releace from Service for obvious Reasons is not admissible. You will be pleasd to send him by the first...
22From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of this day, and am pleased with the good disposition of the Troops, which indeed is no more than I expected. By intelligence this Moment received from Genl Wayne, it is not probable the Detachment will March, tho I would still have it held in readiness. The Pennsylvanians, have arrived at Trenton, and Delivered up the Spies, who were to be executed on the 11th...
23From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 10–11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 7th. I fancy your information of the enemy’s having been at Sufferans was without foundation—at least I have heard nothing of it, and I think such an occurrence could not have escaped the Officer who commands the party at paramus. I take it for granted that General Heath has furnished you with a Copy of the instructions which I left with him when I removed from...
24George 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.
25From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your Two favors of to day. I am sorry for the difficulties you seem to be under. I had no doubt but that the Cannon and Ammunition would proceed together—as One without the other could be of no service. I hope before this reaches you, you will have received both. I have sent you a number of intrenching Tools—and expected they had gone before from West point. There is not...
26From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you a few days since on the subject of a complaint against Col. Grayton —He has heard of the affair and applied for a court of inquiry—I have told him that you will be directed to grant him one—You will therefore be pleased to appoint a court, in your division, composed of members suited to the delicate and interesting nature of the business—You will make the Cols: request the...
27From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 11th and 13th. the intelligence contained in the first is interesting and is confirmed, so far as it respects the preparations of the enemy for defence, by accounts from other Quarters—The late demonstration, of a movement in New York, seems to have resolved itself into a Forage in Bergen County, as several small Vessels have gone up Hackensack River—some...
28From George Washington to Robert Howe, 4 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morng been favored with your two Letters of the 1st of July—with a Resolution of Congress directg you to proceed with the Troops to Phila. The March of the Detachment of Jacksons Regiment had not been countermanded by me—but I am glad to find it has been done under directions of Congress. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
29From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 19 20 & 21 of this month are come to hand. My Papers being yet behind, prevents a reference to my last letter to you from Newburg but, if I recollect, it is explicit as to the number of Troops and the necessity of their immediate March—the purpose for which they were ordered on will not admit delay, and I must desire that not only Sprouts Regiment—but as many more...
30From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th Inst. came to hand yesterday evening I shall communicate the success of Col. Whites enterprise to Congress and beg that you will present my thanks to him, the other Officers and the Corps concerned on the occasion. I am Dr Sr Yr Mo. hum: Servt Df , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to John Jay, 16 Aug. (second letter).
31From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2nd with the enclosures have just been received. I would not wish Major Galvan to place any dependance on a Command in the Light Corps the ensuing Campaign—These appointments having commonly been made in some measure by Rotation. With great consideration I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt. Df , in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Howe’s letter...
32From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duely received your favors of the 2d 3d and 10th instants. I take it for granted that the detail of the signals furnished by Genl Patterson is right—I have no Copy of it in my possession. I have not yet obtained any certain account that the fleet which fell down to the Hook on the 5th has put to sea. I however think it may be depended on from a concurrence of circumstances, that they...
33From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
From the diminution of our force at the Highlands by the expiration of the service of many of the Troops & which will become still greater from the same cause, and the possibility that the Enemy may attempt to enterprize something against the posts there—I have determined to bring the New-Hampshire Brigade from Danbury to reinforce you—The inclosed Letter to the Commanding Officer there, You...
34From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 31st ulto by Capt. Webb enclosing the Copy of one from Governor Trumbull —You will be pleased to direct Colo. Sheldon to order out all the Horse that are equipped and fit for service and make such a disposition of them as you think will best answer the purpose of curbing the enemy’s incursions. I have written to Colo. Sheldon on the subject. I had previous to the...
35From 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...
36George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 May 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 28, 1780 . Instructs Howe to convey the New York Brigade from Kings Ferry to Newburgh. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
37From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of this date before me. If the waggon which Col. Armands party has taken was in the employ of the enemy with the consent of the owner it should be sold for the benefit of the captors. But if it was forced into service by the enemy it will be no more than a common act of justice to restore it to the proprietor. I thank you for the news-paper and am dear Sir. P.S. You will be...
38From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard a word of the Jersey Troops, since the first intelligence of their defection—And am extremely anxious to know the true state of Matters—for this purpose, I shall set out tomorrow towards you; but Not with a design of superseding Your command, &c. Be pleased to give me all the information you can obtain by Express, that it may Meet me somewhere on the road. I am Dr Sir—With...
39From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of last Night—The Measures which have been taken in consequence of the information, appear to me, to have been very proper. When our Officers on the Lines are thus apprised, should the Enemy presume to make an incursion, I cannot but flatter myself they will be made to suffer for their temerity. I am Dr Sr With great regard &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
40From George Washington to Robert Howe, 16 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the recet of your Letter of the 7th of this Month. Before the recet of your Letter Genl St Clair havg hinted the necessity of sending on the Judge Advocate he had accordingly set off to Join you & I hope that by this time you have got thro’ this troublesome business. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
41From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 3d with the Returns, to which it refers, inclosed. Colo. Gouvion—anxious to prepare Fascines, Gabions and sleepers for platforms, wishes a reinforcement of fatigue Men, to be kept constantly down towards the Village upon that service. I know not how such a measure may interfere with your present arrangements, and I can therefore only recommend to you to spare as many...
42From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my private letter of this morning Baron De Kalb who is on the lines, informs me, that “the enemy have taken up a large number of vessels (it seems for an expedition against this quarter) All the houses on the western and northern sides of Staten Island are taken for barracking troops. That on the 8th inst. a number of horsemen arrived on said Island together with some artillery men, and...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Robert Howe, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday inclosing Letter from Genl Waterbury—If the Information is to be depended upon all the Whale Boats & the Cattle should be removed as soon as may be—the first on Carriages or otherwise as may be found convenient—Colo. Scammel may be ordered towards the Point of Operation, & make such Use of the Troops on the Line as his Discretion may direct—establishg a Communication...
45From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favored with your several letters, two of the 22d and two of the 23d instant. The intelligence I have received from different quarters is of the same nature as that of yours, and speaks of an embarkation destined against our allies at Rhode Island. The communications which you made to Major General Heath, on this subject, were very proper, whether the enemy mean only...
46From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with yours of this date, enclosing a Note from Mrs Mortier—to whom a Billet is also forwarded under cover to you, which I request you to transmit to her by the return of the Flag. You will have the goodness to suffer nothing at all to be landed from the flag, and to give orders for the departure of it as soon as may be with convenience; You will be pleased to give directions to...
47From 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...
48From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will be pleased, on receipt of this, to put the troops under your Command in motion as soon as may be: except the New-Hampshire Brigade & such of the Militia as you may judge necessary for the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies. You will direct the N. York, Connecticut & Massachusetts Lines, and the remainder of the Militia, to march successively in the order...
49From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favs. of the 2d and 3d of Novemr by Genl McIntosh who arrived very opportunely to take the command of the North Carolina Brigade, which had wanted a Brigadier very much since the Fall of Genl Nash. The account you give of the numbers of Indians in the Southern Tribes far exceeds any thing that I had an Idea of, and it therefore behoves us the more to...
50From 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...