101To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 8 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Orders respecting the new Levies shall be punctually complied with —about ninety arrived yesterday—some of them could not rendezvous at Springfield without going sixty miles out of their Way, so that Genl Fellows forwarded those under such Circumstances directly to this Post. Two Corporals & nine Privates of the Hessian Horse deserted from the Enemy with Arms, Accoutrements,...
102To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 8 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy both with Horse and Infantry in all as Capt. Sackett Writes me, about One Hundred and Fifty of Delancys Corps were up the other day into our Settlements—a Party of this State Troops attach’d to this Command who were Posted on the lines under Captain Sackett, turn’d out to Oppose them, but the Captain finding them Double his number and the Ground he possess’d not very Defensible, he...
103To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 13 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Returns of the Connecticut Brigades were not sent because Genl Huntington said he had given in a Field Return just before He set off for this Post—& that of the first Massachusetts was left out in making up the Packet by Mistake —some small Alterations having happened in that Regiment, a fresh Return is now transmitted. No Recruits have as yet arrived but from the States—of Massachusetts &...
104To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The arriving of Graves & yet his not being at New York is at length accounted for—He was joined by Arbuthnot with one Ship of the Line & two Fifty’s, & sail’d eastward —The Object is by some said to be the Interception of the 2d Division of the F⟨renc⟩h Fleet —by others, to convoy to York the Cork victualling Fleet, about which they seem to be very anxious —a third Set suppose, that the...
105To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In mine of this Morning by Express I mention’d to your Excellency that Graves had been join’d by Arbuthnot, and that their Destination was Eastward, their object Variously Spoken of—Since this I have been inform’d that the British Troops were preparing to Embark, and that in Great Force, and that the End of their Movements was Rhode Island, to take our Allies before they had recover’d from the...
106To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
While the Express was preparing to set off with mine Dated at 12 oClock, the inclosd Packet from major ⟨Ta⟩lmage arriv’d, which he sent by a Horseman and urges me to hasten to your Excellency in such a manner, that I conclude it to be important. I forgot to ⟨Write⟩ in my other letter that I had been inform’d that the Enemy had prevail’d upon many of the Inhabitiants of New york to go on Board...
107To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear from your Excellency about the militia at Clavarac that I mention’d in my letter a day or two Since as I hear they are arriving there very fast. Colo. Hay tells me six thousand will take that Rout my accounts of cattle are not very Encouraging I must give the Purchasers a spur, and again Apply to the state of Connecticut. this casual Express gives me a moment...
108To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency the Feild Returns I have received —I expect them all in to Day & they shall be forwarded to Morrow —I recd your Favor demandg them the Day before yesterday, & instantly issued Orders thereupon—I have scarcely a moment to add that all you require shall be most faithfully performed. The Enemy are certainly intending, at least did intend some Enterprize—The inclosed is...
109To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received last Night a Letter from a faithful & intelligent Agent dated the 26th Inst:—of which the following is an Extract—“I think I can now give you a distinct Account of the Ships under Admiral Graves—one ninety, one Eighty, four seventy fours arrived with him—He has since been joined by two of sixty four two of fifty, three of forty Guns & three Frigates making in all sixteen Sail. With...
110To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Intelligence which the following Extracts both dated the 28th Instant will give your Excellency—“A British Fleet is now in the Sound—The Fleet consists of fifty Sail of Transports, & has on Board eight thousand Land Forces—they are bound for Rhode Island—They are just come to an Anchor off Huntington Bay—it is said they have left above five thousand Troops in New York”...
111To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
This Moment I have a Letter of which the following is an Extract—it is dated the 31st of July —“This Morning about 8 oClock The Troops under Command of Sir Henry Clinton left Huntington Harbour bound to the Westward. [“]A Frigate from the Eastward came Yesterday After noon—spoke with the Fleet & continued her Course.” This Sir evinces that the Enemy did not return on the 28th, as has been...
112To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I found when I came Home a Letter, of which the following is an Extract—the Agent is, in my Opinion confidential—the Letter is dated August the 1st—“The Enemy’s Maneuvres are strange and surprising—after embarking their Troops at white Stone, & coming up the Sound to Huntington Bay on Thursday last, they anchored, & sent two Ships Eastward, one of which returned on Sunday, & yesterday about 5...
113To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Extract of a Letter just sent me dated the 18th Inst: from your Excellency’s Quarters coming from an Agent who I have directed to correspond with General Arnold—& the Letter being brought as I hear by a Horseman from Robinson’s House, He may probably have conveyed to you the Intelligence it contains, & have rendered my troubling you unnecessary —As however it may possibly be...
114To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I went out this morning by Day light in order to make my Self acquainted with the Approaches of the Camp And situation of the Guards, and am but this moment Return’d. during this Tour I am inform’d that your Excellency did me the Honour of a Visit, I therefore immediatly Send to know if you have any Business or Commands that I may Attend without Delay Should that be the case, & which with...
115To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Very late last night the following intelligence was sent me that sir Henry Clinton was return’d from Long Island, that most if not all the British Regiments had cross’d over and had marchd by the way of Kings Bridge to York Island, that they passd over at Hell Gate Frogs Neck & some other places, and that it was very Confidently talk’d of that you wou’d be attack’d very shortly, that Flat...
116To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inform’d as I was, that our generous Allies intended to aid us with a Number of Troops, & a Fleet superior to that of the Enemy, I suppos’d We should be able to act offensively, & thought it my Duty to meditate what Objects ought to excite our Attention—Those which presented themselves as the most capital, were—Quebec, Hallifax, New-York, & the Recovery of South Carolina & Georgia—but against...
117To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
How poignant is my Anxiety my Dear General that a Man of a Character so exalted, to whom by all Accounts his Country owes so much, & from whom so much more might have been expected (as of Arnold) should to the Ruin of his own Glory, the Disgrace of the Army, & the Disbasement of Human Nature, sink into a Degree of Treachery so black that Expression has not Colouring to paint it properly. I...
118To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 10 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When the Movements of the Enemy made it much more than probable that an immediate Attack upon West Point was intended, the Garrison was unfortunately almost without Provisions of any Sort—& it became requisite by every Method to obtain Supplies in the most expeditious Manner—In this Situation, & at a Crisis so critical & important, I was compell’d to fall upon Measures extraordinary perhaps in...
119To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Informations your Excellency did the Board of General Officers the Honor to give them the Day before Yesterday, it appears that the Detachments made by the Enemy to the South’ard are not much superior in Numbers to the Reinforcements recently received, & that consequently their Strength in this Quarter can have sustain’d no very sensible Diminution —Added to this, when I reflect that a...
120To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have by every Means in my power endeavoured to find how far the fears entertained of the disaffection of the Massachuset troops to the purposed Service was well or ill founded, and not content with my own personal efforts, I have desired officers of address and abilities to exert themselves also. It appears to be the opinion of Putnam, Vose, Sprout, Brooks, Porter, Trescot and many others...
121To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of yesterday and am obliged to you for the pleasing information of the insurgents having moved on to Trenton and given up the british emissaries, from which good effects must certainly derive. how happy Should I be, My Dear General, if Congress can fall upon measures to accommodate this unfortunate affair with dignity to them Selves and without...
122To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25-26 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been endeavouring ever Since I arrived here, I.E. about one o’clock, to learn with Certainty the Motions and designs of the Insurgents, They were assembled at Chatam, and from thence are Said to be returning to their huts, where, they mean to Negotiate, for tho’ they profess to be inclined to open a treaty, they have, by no Means, adopted those Subordinate Ideas which alone can give...
123To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here with the detatchment of Massachusets Troops after Surmounting great difficulties in crossing the mountain, from the extraordinary depth of the Snow. The men however in high spirits have proceeded on their march to Ringwood. Gl Heath has assured me he will hasten on the Conecticut and New hampshire detatchments—the artillery I have not yet heard of, but imagine it is on its way....
124To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s Commands I arrived at this place yesterday evening and found that the Mutineers were returning to their huts. Col. Dayton had offered them pardon for their offences provided they immediatly would put themselves under the Command of their officers and would behave in future consistent with that Subordination So essential to Military discipline. To this they...
125To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I unluckily missed of a letter from Col. Barber Sent me express. the purport of it however I fancy Can be pretty well ascertained, as it was brought by an intelligent officer acquainted with the occasion of it who met with Col. Sprout. The enemy had taken post at Staten Island with intention to Support the Jersey insurgents. they Sent out a Spy with a proclamation offering the Same terms to...
126To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment got the letters design’d for me last night & mention’d in my Express of to day & tho’ I See not much cause to alter my determination expressd in that letter yet I Shall wait here your Excellency’s orders. Colo. Barber has detain’d the artillery & the New Hampshire detachment. I am Dear Sir with the Sincerest Respect your Excellency’s Most humble & most obedient Servant. P.S....
127To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 2 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 2 Feb. 1781. On 5 Feb., GW wrote Howe : “Your favor of the 2nd with the enclosures have just been received.”
128To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th about half hour Since. My earnest wish was, and is, to have the honour of attending you to Newport. the uncertainty of the time of your departure alone would induce me to Set out before you, but as this is not possible to be ascertained I would proceed with your leave to Hartford, where a visi[t] to Mr Web’s family long Since due might...
129To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The orders given & heavy drafts made from the Army induce me to think that Some movements are intended, and tho’ I hinted to your Excellency yesterday in a short letter I did my Self the honour to write you, that I wished not to be Suffered to proceed to the Eastward if Service could be aided by me here, yet as that letter was dictated in a hurry And with a croud about me, (the french...
130To George Washington from Robert Howe, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d Yesterday at this Place and intend taking a View of th ose Parts of this country worthy of Observation, unless some Circumstance of service should make my return necessary, which should it do I rely upon your Excellency’s Goodness to recall me without the least attention to any suppos’d disapointment it may Occasion me, for nothing however interesting to me Could Compensate for the...
131To George Washington from Robert Howe, 19 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the letter I did my self the Honour to write your Excellency from New Hampshire on the 12th Instant, I Expressd an intention unless service Forbid it to Visit some of those Parts of that state which were worthy of Observation; But a Gentlman arriving from Boston and saying, that it was Currently & Credibly reported & believ’d, that the Whole Army was in motion, & movements of importance...
132To George Washington from Robert Howe, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honourd the night before last with your Excellency’s favour & should have set out as to day but both my servants were and are yet so ill that they are not able to attend me. They are not however in such a way that they can I persuade myself proceed by Sunday or Monday when I shall set out for camp or sooner if they can possibly Travel. The loss of the Confedracy with our Clothing is an...
133To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclos’d Extract of a letter from Captain Pray to General Paterson will give you the intelligence he sent up, I, as yet, have heard nothing—I am sorry it was not in your Excellency’s power to Honour me with your presence to day. But hope to be favored with it some other time & should be happy to see the Duke when he will do me the Honor and with your Excellency if you think it proper. It...
134To George Washington from Robert Howe, 5 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Returns of the Provision Endowments of each Work would have been sent your Excellency yesterday had I not hoped for the Honor of seeing you—The Quantity is too small, but our Magazine will not admit of a farther supply at present—The Moment it can be done, it shall. I have examin’d the Magazine & the Ammunition is much expos’d to Injury—I am sorry to add that our Work is at a...
135To George Washington from Robert Howe, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kirkland has requested me (with Earnestness) to apply to your Excellency in behalf of one King a soldier under sentence of Death, as he Relates the mans Case there are Alliviating circumstances in it which may Probably claim attention, beside which he offers another man in the Room of King, to serve out his time if his Inlistment is temporary, or to serve a Year should he be for the War,...
136To George Washington from Robert Howe, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major having requested the Loan of my Barge to bring some of his Acquaintance to see West Point, I take the Opportunity to inclose your Excellency the Report of a Board of Officers appointed to inspect Provisions, & in Case any was damag’d by Negligence to fire if possible the Neglect—upon the proper Reasons—By their Proceedings as far as they have gone We find the Provisions reported unfit...
137To George Washington from Robert Howe, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just this Minute received the inclos’d Letter, which I transmit your Excellency & should be glad to have sent Directions thereupon. I am with great Respect your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington. Since I wrote you yesterday, I have such intelligence, as I rely on;,that the enemy are making preparation, to come with considerable force, to this...
138To George Washington from Robert Howe, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
We feel ourselves much obliged to your Excellency for having communicated to us the Plan of Operations concerted between Yourself and the Count de Rocham beau for the ensuing Campaign; and in Compliance with your Excellency’s Request, we shall, you may be assured, through the whole Course of its Operations, give you our Opinion and Advice, either collectively or individually, with that Freedom...
139To George Washington from Robert Howe, 18 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd Intelligence that the Enemy are incamping at East Chester in Force. The Mode by which it comes tho’ not absolutely authentic is credible. I therefore think it my Duty to Transmit it. with the greatest Respect I am Dear Sir your obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
140To George Washington from Robert Howe, 20 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the inclos’d Letters. I think the measures taken by Colo. Scammel are all that are requisite upon this information. I have acquainted him that General Persons will be Tommorrow in advance—and that if the movements are real and of so serious a nature to make further support necessary, that he will ask it of General Persons. not however omitting to Transmit me the Earliest...
141To George Washington from Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have a Letter from an Agent who says that the Troops on Lloyd’s Neck were under marching Orders, but had not march’d the Day before Yesterday—That he was inform’d the Hessians were under Marching Orders also. I should not have sent on Purpose to convey this, as I expect to hear further, but as I inclose your Excellency some Papers which came by a Flag, it was opportune to carry it—Please Let...
142To George Washington from Robert Howe, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Inconvenience that must arise to service by retarding the Works necessary to our aking he Field, should the artificers detaild from the Line march with their Regiments, has induc’d me to order them to remain until your Excellency’s Pleasure is known upon the Subject, which please give me by the Express Boat which I send on Purpose. Your Orders respecting the Flag have been punctually...
143To George Washington from Robert Howe, 25 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Every circumstance militates to confirm me in opinion that your Excellency intends marching with the army under your immediate command to the Relief of Virginia, the two Carolina’s & Georgia. I wish you Dear sir in that , as in all other Cases from the Bottom of my soul success, Honour, glory and safety. The wisdom of the measure deserves the highest applause and I anticipate the deliverance...
144To George Washington from Robert Howe, 19 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
One of my friends in Congress having informed me that the Delegates of the State of Georgia had moved Congress that an Enquiry might be made into my Conduct as to some military Transactions which happened in December 1778 & that your Excellency would be directed to order this Enquiry when Circumstances would admit of it, I take the Liberty to request that if it should take place, it may not be...
145To George Washington from Robert Howe, 4 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Accept my Dear General my warmest Congratulations on the Glorious Events which have taken place & which as they resulted from the wisdom of your measures & the noble manner in which you Executed them reflects a lustre upon your Conduct which must rejoice your Friends & entitle you to the applause & gratitude of the present & of future generations. As among the officers sent from the southward...
146To George Washington from Robert Howe, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Late last night my unabating Efforts obtain’d me a sum of money which tho’ not perhaps quite Equal to my Expences will Enable me to Leave Town (I hope) without discredit. Some part of this Cash has advanced me by a friend I accidentally met with upon Generous Terms, but the Residue (and that the greater Part) I have been moved to Accept upon hard Condition of indebting myself one hundred...
147To George Washington from John Paterson, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased in your letter to major-general Heath of the 17th instant to request our opinion at what places it may be best to establish magazines of provisions for the moving army—and also what should be deemed the dependencies of West-point—We beg leave to give our opinion as follows; viz. Considering the contingencies of the campaign, magazines may be eligible at...
148To George Washington from Robert Howe, 26 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a letter from Lt Colo. Fernald in behalf of Captain Marshall, his situation is particular and he has it seems given his winter to Publick service in a way Extra to his immediate line. General Heath appears to think him Entitled to indulgence & Colo. Fernald says his Regiment can spare him, he wishes to have leave until the first of July, less time than that will not...
149To George Washington from Robert Howe, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The first Quere your Excellency has been pleas’d to submit to the consideration of your Generals is, that admitting the Enemy to aggregate their Force at New York and to retain a naval superiority both in Harbour and at Sea, their number then ammounting to 16090 Men, whether it is probable we shall obtain men and means sufficient to undertake the siege of New York, what force will be necessary...
150To George Washington from Robert Howe, 1 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
If the ultimate End arriv’d at by the Enemy in sending out Fishing Parties from our Prisoners in New-york, & purchasing Wood within our Lines, was really intended for the Benefit of the Prisoners alone, The Measure ought to meet our heartiest Approbation—But as under this Aspect they may by picking out proper Implements from among our People, continue that Transient Intercourse already found...