51From 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...
52From 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...
53From 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...
54From 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...
55From 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...
56From 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...
57From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received your private letter of yesterdays date —fully perswaded that so respectable a body as the General Officers of this army can hold no improper meetings—& that no representation will be made by them to Congress that is not conveyed in respectful terms—& founded in the strictest rules of propriety & justice I by no means disapprove the one you speak of for the purpose...
58V. From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received such advices from Congress respecting the French fleet under the command of Count D’Estaing, that I have not a doubt of his coming to this part of the Coast for the purposes of cooperation—nor of his being upon it immediately. I therefore request you to resume yr position on Croton—near pines bridge to effect, if possible, the end mentioned in my letter of the 13th Ulto. I am...
59From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two letters of the 4th & 5th inst. We have nothing particular in this quarter for your information. You will be pleased to thank the party of horse in my name for the great gallantry with which they behaved. I am Dr Sir Your Most obt Servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These letters have not been found. A letter from...
60From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of yesterday. Since I explained to you my motives for directing a change of your position, it has been my wish that you should take such an one, as would enable at the shortest notice to prevent the escape of the enemy by land should they attempt it, but at the same time to have a regard to your own safety. The particular spot I leave to your own discretion and...
61From 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...
62From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favd last Evening with your two letters of yesterday. I cannot learn from the Deserters who have come out the two past days that any troops came up the River at the time you mention, but as movements might have taken place below of which they were ignorant, I very much approve of your making use of every precaution against a surprize—The enemy, upon the last settlement of accounts, fell...
63From 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...
64From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Both your favors of yesterday came to hand last Evening as did that of the 22d. I have, for some days past, had the destruction of the Enemy’s wood on Lloyds neck in contemplation. Major Tallmadge having been lately over on an excursion is probably better acquainted with the practicability of such a matter than any other person. From some hints which he dropped, when last at Head Quarters, he...
65From 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...
66From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive Mr Pulteney’s lucubrations—and my thanks for the perusal of them. He has made I perceive, the dependance of America essential to the existance of Great Britain as a powerful Nation—This I shall not deny—because I am in sentiment with him in thinking her fallen state in consequence of the seperation too obvious to be disputed—It was of magnitude sufficient to have made...
67From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You all the Letters which have been sent or received by me, on the subject of Colo. Mitchells attending the Trial of Major General Arnold. They are all numbered in regular order from No. 1 to 9 Inclusive. When the Court have read them, they will be pleased to return them. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem gentn Your Most Obt st Df , in Robert...
68From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The state of Genl Heath’s health making a releif from duty necessary he has received my permission for this purpose — This with other considerations which will occur to yourself, (especially as the condition of the river may tempt the enemy to enterprise something in that quarter), renders your presence there essential I have therefore to request that you may return as soon as convenient to...
69From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your several favors of the 17th February; two of the 28th; and two dated the 4th instant. From the representation of the Court of Enquiry in your letter of the 28th, and till a favorable change in its objects, I am induced to authorise you to direct Col. Hay D.Q.M.G. to augment the number of express riders to the exigencies of the day. He is to make me forthwith a...
70From 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...
71From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Intelligence & from a person who thinks himself well informed, that the enemy have it in contemplation to pay us a visit (& in a very short time) at this Post. At the sametime that I discredit the report (at least with respect to time) I do not despise the information especially as our circumstances, & some appearances with them are not opposed to the measure. The effect I wish...
72From 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...
73From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your two favors of the 16 and 17th instant. I am pleased to find that the notice you had received of the preparations of the enemy, was such as to anticipate my information to you on this subject. Should any attempt be really intended, and take place, against this or your quarter, I am satisfied that nothing which our circumstances will permit, will be left undone, on your...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76From 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...
77From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 11th came safe to hand. The rumour of my going to the Southward has nothing, at this time, to support it. In consequence of the preparations which were making at New York to embark Troops; & the intelligence I had received of the destination of them, I gave information to Congress—accompanied with a state of our strength, & the disagreeable circumstances under wch we...
78From 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...
79From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 27th ulto and two public and one private letter of the 1st instant. I will transmit Colo. Putnams letter and new arrangement to the Board of War, and will desire them to rectify the mistakes which have happened in the dates of the Commissions of some of the Subalterns. Major Beauman will return to West point in a few days when I shall have no objection to his...
80From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I last evening recd your favors of the 6th—I am pleased to hear of the good conduct and success of Capt. Cushing in his enterprize against Delancey’s detachment—It is to be regretted that the Colonel was himself absent at the time. Colo. Moylan had written to me on the subject of Mr Hooglands Arrest and mode of trial, I gave it as my opinion that he was to be tried by a general Court...
81From 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...
82From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Two favors of the 22d Instant. The distresses of the Troops under yr Comd give me great pain and what adds to it is, I have it not in my power to administer to their relief. Our situation here is equally melancholy—for the Troops on several days have been entirely without meat—and at best on half & quarter allowance for a considerable time. I very sincerely hope that You...
83From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the late incursion of the enemy upon the frontiers of New York, I have determined to march the Brigade of that state to its relief. It will commence its march tomorrow; and will probably arrive at Kings ferry on Wednesday evening —I wish you to have a sufficient number of boats at that place ready to receive the troops on their arrival and convey them with their baggage to...
84From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have received advice from New York, published by authority, of the surrender of Charles Town. As I dare say you will have seen the hand bill and as I am pressed for time, I shall not go into particulars. A person from Amboy reports that he saw the day before yesterday One hundred sail of vessels enter Sandy Hook. This if true can be nothing else than Sir Henry Clinton returned with the...
85From 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...
86From 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...
87From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 10 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several letters of the 5th 6th and 8th of June. You do well to consider the post of West point as the capital object of your attention and every other as secondary—This is peculiarly necessary at the present moment, as there are circumstances that authorise a suspicion of something being intended against that post. I would therefore have you by all means to keep your force...
88From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy still remain here and every thing indicates that they have some serious enterprise in view—My suspicions for the North River still continue and rather increase. It is some time since I have had a return of your garrison therefore I cannot judge precisely of your force; but if you have not Two thousand five hundred rank and file fit for action, you will be pleased immediately to apply...
89From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter from General Foreman which I have this moment received. He is intirely to be depended on. There can be no doubt that this is Sir Henry Clinton from the Southward. All your exertions are necessary to be prepared for defence. Urge the application recommended to you in mine of the —— instant to Governor Clinton for a succour of militia to make up your garrison to Two...
90From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 16th and 18th two of each date—The Express who brought the last left Kings ferry yesterday Morning at Sun rise and informs me that the Vessels had gone down the River and were out of sight. The posts at Stoney and Verplanks points were established more with a view of preventing the communication from being interrupted by a vessel or two with a small body of Men,...
91From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening received Your two Favors of the 19th and was happy to find that a part of Clinton’s Brigade had joined You. I hope by this time the whole will have got down, or at least all of it except the Regiment detached to Fort Schuyler with provisions. From the immense importance of the post under your direction, I wish, as expressed in my Letter of the 18th, that You may have & keep...
92From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th reached me this morning. The principal part of the army yesterday marched to this place—Last night I received a letter from General Greene who commands the corps near the enemy containing the following paragraph, “Mr——this moment returned from Elizabeth Town. He says that General Clinton with the whole British army will be in motion this evening; that three thousand are...
93From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
On friday last the enemy moved from Elisabeth Town point to Springfield in considerable force, supposed about five thousand. The bridge at Springfield was pretty obstinately defended by Col. Angel’s regiment nor was it gained by the enemy till near a contest of forty minutes. This Regt had about 40 killed and wounded. Our whole loss during the day does not rise much higher but from all the...
94From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Before this the Connecticut division will probably have joined you. The rest of the army arrived here yesterday. The delay which has occurred makes it probable the enemy either had not or have relinguished the project of attacking West Point; and only intend to retard our preparations by menacing us at different points and obliging us to call out the militia. I believe what they have done...
95From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 27th and 30th ulto and that of the 3d instant covering a letter from Genl Heath—Mr Moylan has not yet come in—I imagine he is stopped by the heavy rain. I am informed that Genl Glover had missed my letter directing him to stop at Springfeild for the purpose of receiving and forwarding the drafts of Massachusetts —I make no doubt but you have sent him back to...
96From 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...
97From 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...
98From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 8th—The State of Massachusetts having adopted Colo. Jacksons Regt and directed it to be considered in every respect as belonging to that line, it in course becomes intitled to a proportion of the drafts—For this purpose the Bearer Capt. Hunt is sent up to receive the number which will fall to the share of the Regiment. I have not yet recd the Feild Return of the...
99From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Lieut. Meigs of Col. Webbs Regt who is directed to receive & bring forward the proportion of Connecticut levies for that Regiment; You will be pleased to Order them to be delivered to him accordingly. I am with great esteem & regard Your Most Obedt Hble Servt Df , in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . John Meigs (c.1754–1826), of...
100From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon examining the Return of Military Stores at West Point for the Month of June I find there were only 662 Muskets in the Commissary’s hands —This appears to me most extraordinary as the number of Rank and File of the Massachusetts line amounted on the last of Novemr 1779 to 4569 and on the last of June past to only 1623 which makes a difference of 2946 Men, who must have been...