51From 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...
52From 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...
53From 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...
54From 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...
55From 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...
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From 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...
61From 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...
62From 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...
63From 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...
64From 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...
65From 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...
66From 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...
67From 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...
68From 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,...
69From 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...
70From 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...
71From 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...
72From 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...
73From 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...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76From 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...
77From 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...
78From 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...
79From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favored with your several letters, two of the 22d and two of the 23d instant. The intelligence I have received from different quarters is of the same nature as that of yours, and speaks of an embarkation destined against our allies at Rhode Island. The communications which you made to Major General Heath, on this subject, were very proper, whether the enemy mean only...
80From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will be pleased, on receipt of this, to put the troops under your Command in motion as soon as may be: except the New-Hampshire Brigade & such of the Militia as you may judge necessary for the Garrison of West Point & its dependencies. You will direct the N. York, Connecticut & Massachusetts Lines, and the remainder of the Militia, to march successively in the order...
81From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 26th—The Army will move from this Ground tomorrow Morning by the Paramus Route, you will therefore direct your dispatches in future to take that Road. Our present stock of Musket Cartridges being very insufficient for the probable demand, you will be pleased to order seventy or eighty Infantry and about twenty Artillery Men to take Colo. Lambs directions for carrying...
82From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the report of the march of yesterday, it appears there was to your baggage a guard of a serjeant and four men, contrary to the regulations and to General orders. I am persuaded this must have happened by mistake; but as it is of the greatest importance that the General officers should set an example of regularity to the army I mention the matter to you that you may take effectual care to...
83From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of this day, and am pleased with the good disposition of the Troops, which indeed is no more than I expected. By intelligence this Moment received from Genl Wayne, it is not probable the Detachment will March, tho I would still have it held in readiness. The Pennsylvanians, have arrived at Trenton, and Delivered up the Spies, who were to be executed on the 11th...
84From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the command of the detachment, which has been ordered to march from this post against the mutineers of the Jersey line. You will rendezvous the whole of your command at Ringwood or Pompton as you find best from circumstances—The object of your detachment is to compel the mutineers to unconditional submission—and I am to desire you will grant no terms while they are with arms in...
85From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard a word of the Jersey Troops, since the first intelligence of their defection—And am extremely anxious to know the true state of Matters—for this purpose, I shall set out tomorrow towards you; but Not with a design of superseding Your command, &c. Be pleased to give me all the information you can obtain by Express, that it may Meet me somewhere on the road. I am Dr Sir—With...
86From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this day with the papers accompanying it. For fear of a revival of the discontents in the Jersey line, I think it adviseable there should remain near them other troops on whose fidelity we can more perfectly rely —on this account I approve the detention of the New Hampshire detachment and the Artillery ’till we hear something more of the movements on Staten...
87From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2nd with the enclosures have just been received. I would not wish Major Galvan to place any dependance on a Command in the Light Corps the ensuing Campaign—These appointments having commonly been made in some measure by Rotation. With great consideration I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt. Df , in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Howe’s letter...
88From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 15 Feb. 1781. On 16 Feb., Howe wrote GW : “I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th.”
89From George Washington to Robert Howe, 15 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago Mr Sitgreaves gave me the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 4th of May. It is the only one I recollect to have had from you since my return to private life. It gives me pleasure to hear that Congress have dealt honorably by you, & mean to do more; it is devoutly to be wished that they could do the same by all the Officers whose meritorious services & sufferings have a...
90From George Washington to Robert Howe, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 12th of April from portsmouth and 19th from Boston. Business of a very urgent public nature will oblige me to send General Heath immediately to the Eastern States—I am therefore under the necessity of desiring your Return as speedily as possible to take the command at West point, which, with all its dependencies, will be left with only one Brigadier. I am...
91From George Washington to Robert Howe, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an...
92From George Washington to Robert Howe, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Kirkland has delivered me your letter of Yesterday with one from B. Genl Patterson, respecting King under sentance of Death. In Consequence of their sollicitations in his Favr, I have consented that he shall be pardoned for his Offence—& not subjected to the Execution of his Sentence; his Releace from Service for obvious Reasons is not admissible. You will be pleasd to send him by the first...
93From George Washington to Robert Howe, 11 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of the same date together with the Report of the Board of Officers, appointed to inspect Provisions. If there are any Blunderbusses & Swivels, I have no objection that Capt. Pray should be furnished with them, tho I think, that vigilance and attention, will be his surest protection against the Enemy. I have to request that you will be pleased to attend at...
94From George Washington to William Lord Stirling Alexander, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers convened at New Windsor N.Y. the 12th day of June 1781. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief M. General Lord Stirling Brigadiers Generals Knox Genl Howe Paterson Genl Parsons Hand Genl McDougall Huntington Du Portail
95From George Washington to Robert Howe, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday inclosing Letter from Genl Waterbury—If the Information is to be depended upon all the Whale Boats & the Cattle should be removed as soon as may be—the first on Carriages or otherwise as may be found convenient—Colo. Scammel may be ordered towards the Point of Operation, & make such Use of the Troops on the Line as his Discretion may direct—establishg a Communication...
96From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of last Night—The Measures which have been taken in consequence of the information, appear to me, to have been very proper. When our Officers on the Lines are thus apprised, should the Enemy presume to make an incursion, I cannot but flatter myself they will be made to suffer for their temerity. I am Dr Sr With great regard &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
97From George Washington to Robert Howe, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with yours of this date, enclosing a Note from Mrs Mortier—to whom a Billet is also forwarded under cover to you, which I request you to transmit to her by the return of the Flag. You will have the goodness to suffer nothing at all to be landed from the flag, and to give orders for the departure of it as soon as may be with convenience; You will be pleased to give directions to...
98From George Washington to Robert Howe, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favour’d with your Letter of this date; the Artificers you mention that have been drafted from the several Regiments will continue at the Point ’till further orders. I am with respect your most obedt Humbe Servant. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
99From George Washington to Robert Howe, 24 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The constant Attention I have been obliged to pay to the March of the Troops—forwarding Stores—procuring Necessaries &c. for the Expedition in Contemplation with other unavoidable Circumstances, have prevented my giving an Answer to your private Letter, which I received at Philadelphia, before this Day. I am very sorry you have taken up the Matter in so serious a Light as seems to appear from...
100From George Washington to Robert Howe, 15 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received with much Pleasure your Congratulations conveyed to me in your Favr of the 4th. I think, Considering the length of Time already passed since your Operations in Georgia, that you are quite in the Right to have the Inquiry on your Conduct during that Time, brot to as early Decision as Circumstances will admit—I can easily conceive your present Situation to be very disagreable—& wish...