271From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have now your letter of Sept. 18th before me; and cannot say that I, by any means approve of your proposal of sending artillery to annoy the frigate, and the Enemy’s batteries on Montrasure’s Island; in my opinion, it would only endanger the loss of our cannon, & waste our ammunition, without answering any one good or salutory purpose. With respect to the sick, I am as much afflicted at...
272From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consideration of the scarcity of forage, where you now are, and the plenty, which you mention to be at the Continental village, I think it will be best for one or both the Brigades, Parsons & Huntington’s to move to that place—Nixon’s will remain where it is. In this position it will be necessary to be very vigilant against a surprise, particularly from a sudden movement of the enemy by...
273From George Washington to William Heath, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will please to furnish the Teams required by the Qr Mr General without a moments delay—These same teams, or some others, may reach you in time to answer the purposes you speak of. I am halted for want of them, and have my movements, the success of which depends absolutely upon celerity, impeded. Colo. Smith will apply for a party to assist the transportation at the Ferry, which I desire...
274From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received last Night your favors of the 16th and 18th Instant. and will attend to the subjects of them as early as possible. Indeed I shall write immediately to Govr Trumbull Govr Hancock, and the Agents of that State at Springfield, to forward on the supplies of Beef Cattle, unless they will expect to see a dissolution of the Army. I approve of the Arrangements made for carrying into...
275From George Washington to William Heath, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Mr Benson the Attorney General of this State, who was appointed by me, and Mr Melachton Smith who was nominated by Mr Sands, have undertaken as Refferees to settle the matters in dispute between the Army and the Contractors for furnishing the Garrison of West Point &c. These two Gentlemen are to name a third agreeably to the mode pointed out by the Contract; and are to meet on the 8th day of...
276From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Two favors of the 11th & 14th Instant. I think with you, that it will not be entirely prudent, to deposit All our Stores at one place, not so much from an apprehension that the Enemy will penetrate the Country to destroy them, as that the whole may not be lost, in case of other unhappy events. I have spoke to Genl Knox, who will direct, what he judges proper to be...
277From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
You wrote to me a few days ago respecting a small guard that is kept at Litchfeild upon the military Stores there. I could not give you an answer then, as I had not seen Genl Knox. He now tells me, that there is a necessity for their remaining, more especially as he is obliged to withdraw a small detachment of Artillery who are there. Be pleased to direct the non Commissioned Officer who...
278From George Washington to William Heath, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
For your Information—& that you may know the Object of your Mission, I inclose to you a Transcript of my Letter to Sir Guy Carleton, which is herewith committed to your Care to be forwarded as soon as possible. Before the Time of your going to Phillips’s House, I shall have the pleasure of seeing you, or conveying to you in Writing, my Sentiments more fully on the subject of your Meeting. With...
279From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 12th dated at Amewalk and on account of the pressing situation of affairs, have written to Col. Lamb at Fish kill, to send to your care 25,000 Cartridges —which you will distribute among the Militia if there is really a necessity for it. I cannot send more. The respective States in general, as I have been informed have good supplies of Military stores of their...
280From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress have been pleased to determine by an Act of the 9th Instant, a Copy of which I received last night, the Quota of Troops to be furnished by each of the States for the ensuing Campaign, and have directed me to transmit them respectively, accurate Returns of their NonCommissioned Officers & privates, that they may know the deficiency for which they are to provide. I therefore request...
281From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I transmitted you, by a letter of yesterday, all the intelligence I then had, respecting the movements of the enemy in New-York. I now send you by this conveyance, extracts of a letter from Lord Stirling, and the report of a spy, which contain my latest information upon the subject. I am D. Sir. Your most hble servt p.s. I have the pleasure to inform you, that the taking of Dominica by the...
282From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several favors of the 12th 21st 23d and 25th instants. I think it but reasonable that the extra expences incurred by your present command should be defrayed by the public, and I will, upon your being releived, furnish you with a Warrant upon the Military Chest for the amount. You will draw from the Commissary whatever it is in his power to provide. Your Baggage, which is...
283From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 18th and two of to day. The disposition you mention to have made of the Troops will stand till further Orders. You will write to General Glover and direct him to halt with his Brigade at Ridgefield, where he will remain till he is further instructed. I am much fatigued—and as I shall see you in the course of a day or two—I shall not add any thing more upon the...
284From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from the Marquis de la Fayette announces the expected arrival of several French Officers of distinction upon a visit to the Army. Should they pass the posts under your command I am convinced you will pay them every attention and honor due to their Rank. As I should wish to have notice of their approach to this Camp, you will oblige me by dispatching an Express as soon as they...
285From George Washington to William Heath, 20 May 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your kind and friendly letter of the 17th Ulto has been duly received, and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks for the affectionate sentiments you have been pleas’d to express for me, therein. I can assure you, Sir, I never ascribed a motive to the letter you wrote me, on my Election to the Chair of Government, so unworthy of you as to suppose it was written with a view of: “Pressing...
286From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th —inclosed you have Captain Smarts discharge bearing date the 1st instant. I am satisfied with the arrangments you have made below. As you have, I doubt not, taken care that there are men enough appointed to each work to secure it against a Coup de Main which is the only matter we have to apprehend at this season. I have written to General Lincoln—to...
287From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday. I am sorry to hear of Colo. Russells death of whose indisposition I had not known. Lt Colo. Shearmans right to promotion to the Rank of Lt Colo. Commandant in consequence, must be reported to the State of Connecticut by the Brigadiers of that line agreeable to the terms of the late general order, as must also the names of the subalterns of the 8th Regt intitled...
288From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of this morning accompanied by a Deserter. You will be pleased agreeable to a General order Issued a long time since to have the deserters you mention tried by their own Brigade Courts Martial —This mode was adopted to expedite business, & the Brigadier enpowered except in capital cases or where Officers are concerned & the sentences extend to Cashierment to approve or...
289From George Washington to William Heath, 9 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to convene the General Officers now in Camp and with them take into consideration a dispute of Rank between Colonels Swift and Webb. You will be pleased to report to me the opinion of the Board thereon. I am Sir Your most obt and hble servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
290From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I purpose going down to Stoney and Verplanks points tomorrow Morning. Be pleased therefore to order a covering party of about 100 Men to be upon Verplanks tomorrow morning by eight OClock. I am Dear Sir Your most obt Ser[v]ant LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW requested a similar covering party for his inspection of Stony Point,...
291From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this morning by General Woodford—I am glad to find the ideas of your letter correspond with mine —You will act accordingly—It is the more necessary to proceed with caution as I have just received advice from General Gates, that a considerable detachment sailed from Rhode Island the 25th instant, steering a Western course —This seems to indicate some serious design this way. I am...
292From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date enclosing a number of permits signed by General Pattison allowing Goods to be sent out of New York—I think, with you, that an allowance of a thing of this kind would be attended with most pernicious consequences, and to which I do not think my self authorised to assent. Those who have Governor Clintons permission to come out and bring their effects must be...
293From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favoured with yours of the 29 and 30th Ultimo with that of the 7th Inst. I shall take the first opportunity of transmitting your packet to General Clinton. The French fleet are now laying off Sandy Hook. I congratulate you on this very important and fortunate event. As the Cork fleet is hourly expected with provisions for the British army; and it is probable they are directed to...
294From George Washington to William Heath, 5 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
A few days since, I reced your favor of the 25th of January—There is such an absolute dearth of News here, that I cannot undertake to give you a single syllable in return for what you was so good as to send me. Without amusement or avocation, I am spending another Winter (I hope it will be the last that I shall be kept from returning to domestic life) amongst these rugged and dreary Mountains,...
295From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Marqs De la Fayette Colo. Laurens & others arrived here yesterday, but bring no later accts than those I had with me at West-point —nor have I heard any thing further from the revolted Troops, or the Comee of Congress since Genl Sullivans Letter which you heard read. I beg therefore that the detachment may be hurried, and I informed when it will be ready to move. I will direct Colo. Blaine...
296From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured ⟨w⟩ith yours of the 10th instant. With respect to supply⟨in⟩g the Continental frigates with ammunition from the Continental magazines, as I have not copies of the letters you mention with me, I am not certain how far they may have authorised the measure, but I intirely approve of your granting the necessary supply from them. The frigates ought not to want so essential...
297From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th reached me last Evening. I have recieved intelligence that Sir Henry Clinton went himself towards the East End of Long Island on the 16th and that the troops at Whitestone were again embarking. I have an account of Sir Henry’s movement through two different Channels—that of the embarkation only thro’ one. I can hardly suppose that he will, considering the present...
298From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beleive I forgot to inform you that I had ordered down six Companies of the York line to West point. They are intended to make up in some measure the deficiency occasioned by the detachment. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers. GW signed the cover, on which Tilghman wrote: “to the care of Colo. [Hugh] Hughes Fishkill [N.Y.].” Also written on...
299From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received a letter from the Council of the State of Massachusetts by Major Shaw, informing me he had in charge a few Indians from N. Scotia who were inlisted into the Continental Service; as they will be of no use to me here I have directed Mr Shaw to deliver them into your Care, & request you will employ them in such a manner as you may judge most advantageous to the Service, and...
300From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your several favors of the 5th 6th & 7th Inst. What I mentioned to you in a former letter about a second Attempt on Fort Independence was intended merely as a Hint, on which You might improve if Circumstances should favr. I did not desire that it might interfere with the Order to march some of yr Division this way, unless it should be found highly practicable. When you arrive at...