From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 August 1779
To Major General Robert Howe
West point August the 1st 1779
D. Sir
I received Your favor of Yesterday.1 I have nothing to add upon the subject of your command.2
It was reported to me yesterday morning, that part of the Enemy had crossed the river and were moving towards the English neighbourhood in Jersey, but it was contradicted last night—and the party taken for the Enemy by the Militia, proved to be some of Lee’s dismounted Dragoons. I am Dr sir with great regard Yr Most Obedt servant
Go: Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found.
2. Several days earlier, GW had ordered Howe to take station with his command at Ridgefield, Conn., but the orders temporarily removed Brig. Gen. John Nixon’s brigade from his division (see GW to Howe, 28 July, and General Orders, 19 July). Howe subsequently wrote to Maj. Gen. William Heath to request that GW reinforce him, but he asked Heath to conceal that the request came from him (see Howe to Heath, 26 Aug., MHi: Heath Papers).