From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 April 1780
To Major General Robert Howe
Head Quarters Morris Town 13th Apl 1780.
Dear Sir
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.1
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 on2 from a concurrence of circumstances, that they are bound to the southward, but untill we know that they are actually gone out, we cannot be too much guarded against what may be only a feint.3
I am glad you have thought of bringing the Fascines and Gabions within the Works upon the point—They would be of the utmost importance to the enemy, should they move up seriously agt our posts—There were a number cut down about Fort Montgomery and at other places near the Water.
General Heath, who is appointed by the State of Massachusetts to superintend the recruiting service, writes me, that he shall endeavour to detain three Commd and one non Commissioned Officer of each Regt who are already in the State on furlough, to go out recruiting and to march the recruits, deserters who may be apprehended, and furloughed Men, from the places of rendezvous to West point.4 But as he is not certain of finding the number required, he wishes you to send the deficiency, should there be any, from the line. This you will be pleased to do if the state of the Regiments will admit of it5—Those Officers who have not been indulged with furloughs should be preferred as they will have an opportunity of visiting their families and friends and looking into their private affairs at the same time—Capt. Webb the Bearer of this, who is under a necessity of resigning if he cannot obtain leave of absence, would be content with going home upon these terms—He represents the situation of his family in such a manner, that I wish him to be indulged if possible, if any rate.6
That there may be no misapprehension you will be pleased to acquaint the Officers before they go out upon the recruiting service that I know of no continental Bounty or allowance to reimburse their Expences or to compensate their trouble—The State I have been informed have made some provision, but I do not know exactly what it is—I have been full upon this point, lest the Officers should hereafter complain, that they had gone out in obedience to orders, and that the state allowance was not adequate to their necessary expenditures—They must also be informed that the Recruits which may be obtained, will be for the benefit of the line at large and not for any particular Corps. I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; copy (extract), MHi: Heath Papers; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The extract includes the final paragraph of the draft letter without the closing.
1. Howe wanted the alarm signals for calling out the militia in the event of an attack on West Point, N.Y. (see his second letter to GW, 3 April, n.5; see also Contingency Orders, 12 June 1779, n.1, printed as an enclosure with a Circular to General Officers, 13 June 1779, and GW’s second letter to William Heath, 27 Nov. 1779, and n.6 to that document).
2. At this place on the draft, Tilghman first wrote “take it for granted.” He then struck out that phrase and wrote “however think it may be depended on” above the line.
3. For GW’s continued efforts to ascertain the destination of this British fleet, see his letter to John Mercereau, this date, and n.4 to that document.
4. See William Heath to GW, 27 March.
Howe wrote Maj. Gen. William Heath from the Highlands, N.Y., on 17 April: “Captain Webb who comes to recruit will deliver you this letter and take your directions. I never heard from his Excellency upon the subject of your letter Respecting the Recruiting Service until this morning, I transmit you an Extract from his letter, tho’ I make no doubt his letters to you contain similar directions. I am very fearful the Restrictions Set up by those instructions will not have a good Effect. The Men whose Furloughs are out Drop in too Slowly, for Heaven sake hasten them up. We are carrying on the works as fast as our weak state will let us, but not so fast as I could wish. … Great Britain seems determin’d to die very hard if she dies at all. I wish her Expiring Agonies may not cost us more than the whole Contest has hitherto done” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also n.6 below).
6. Capt. Abijah Savage wrote GW from “Camp Morristown” [Jockey Hollow] on 17 April: “Capt. James Webb of Colo. Henry Sherburnes Regit one of the Sixteen is Desireous of haveing a Discharge from the Service—this may Certify that there is three officers Belonging to his Company Exclusive of himself … he has no accounts in the Regit unsetled to my Knowlege & as the Situation of the Regit Does not make his Resignation improper I Do therefore Recommend him for a Discharge” (ALS, DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 18075).
James Webb (d. 1797) was taken prisoner at Quebec on 31 Dec. 1775 while a lieutenant in a Rhode Island unit. Exchanged in 1776, he enlisted as a captain in Col. Henry Sherburne’s Additional Continental Regiment in March 1777 and remained in the army until his resignation in April 1780.