101From 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...
102From 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...
103George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 13, 1779. Reports that French fleet is near coast. Orders Howe to Pine Bridge to prevent British from retreating from Kings Ferry to the main body of their troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
104From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have accounts by vessels arrived at different places which make it probable a French fleet is approaching our coast—If this should be the case, it will be of importance to prevent the retreat of the troops at Kings ferry to their main body—The French Commandant will probably do his part to obstruct it by water and our business is to make such dispositions as are calculated to obstruct it by...
105From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to hear, by yours of the 9th, of the success of Major Tallmadges excursion. the stroke, tho’ small, may serve to check an insignificant yet troublesome kind of enemy. Your movement must be directed in a great measure, by your own judgment, and by circumstances. I have only one general caution to give you, which is, to let your position (if you find it advisable to take another) be...
106From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your two favors of the 5th inst. one public the other marked private. The current of my intelligence by different hands and from different quarters bring the enemy’s reinforcement to about 3,000. This corresponds with your accounts —and perhaps is pretty near the truth. The ignorance of the agents of or the want of a proper genius for enquiry or observation may have led...
107From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning been favd with your private and public letters of yesterday. The Reinforcement of the enemy —their vigilance at their advanced posts—and seeming desire to draw you down towards them, all conspire to forbid your making any attempt upon them, and to cause a more than common attention on your part. Finding by the date of yours of yesterday that you was still at lower salem, I...
108From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letters of the 26th and 27th inst. public—and that of the 26th marked private. As the arrival of a 74, one of Arbuthnots fleet is mentioned in a New-York print of the 24, I have no doubt but that the whole are in the Hook by this time. It is now our business to learn the particular Regiments which compose the reinforcement, or their general force. this I should...
109George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 24, 1779. Discusses command of militia at Horseneck. Sends advice concerning Howe’s proposed raid. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Horseneck was in Connecticut near Kings Bridge, New York.
110From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favoured with your two letters of yesterday, one public one private—and yesterday with that of the 21st. The conduct of the militia at horseneck is a little extraordinary, but perhaps it is rather an omission than a wilful delinquency. It would however be inexpedient to involve any question of authority upon the occasion and better to make it an affair of management. The...
111From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of yesterday I observed that through the assistance of —— & his agents, and other Channels, you might obtain accurate knowledge of the position of the enemy without Kings-bridge. I am still of the same opinion; but under the idea I entertain of —— I do not conceive it would be expedient in you to drop the smallest hint by which he could discover the tendency of these enquiries,...
112From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of Yesterday. I have not the least objection to your foraging as far as you can consistent with safety, and with your present force. My desire to put this post into as perfect a state of security as possible, renders it inconvenient to spare you any more troops. I approve of your determination to leave your Baggage well in your Rear should you go down for the purpose...
113From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
By means of the Spies employed by —— you may, I conceive, obtain very accurate Intelligence of the Incampments Piquets—&ca of the light Troops without Kings bridge & the strength of the Corps—and know whether it is practicable to beat up their quarters with a reasonable prospect of success. The distance, though disadvantageous in some respects, is favourable in others; for being thought to be...
114From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
As it is probable, that the new minister from France Monsieur De Luzerne, is on his way from Boston to Philadelphia it will be necessary to have him provided with an escort—you will therefore be so good as to give orders for a captain (a geinteel sensible officer) with his proper command of cavalry (not less than 30) to proceed immediately to Fish-kill. The officer will acquaint me with the...
115George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, August 17, 1779. Questions honesty of Elijah Hunter, a spy. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
116From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday on the subject of our confidential friend. It appears to me that the detail he seems to desire will be rather too minute and tend to excite suspicion instead of giving him credit with the enemy. The idea of what was communicated before was to pretend that he had made general observations and inquiries in the army, and had formed an average estimate of...
117From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 13th Instant. If the Enterprize over the Sound is not already undertaken when this comes to hand, I would wish it to be laid aside intirely—unless its success should appear exceedingly clear & indeed certain. The Object is too unimportant—too contemptible to justify any risk. I have some private motives for not countenancing the expedition in the first...
118From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of yesterday. In a letter of Col. Hamilton’s a few days ago to you, I signified that Col. Armand should be put under arrest. In one from Col. Armand to the former it does not appear that this had taken place —Should this be so you will be pleased to have the order executed, as it would be unmilitary to continue him doing duty, while the court are determining on...
119From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Such cases as you have mentioned in your letter of the 11th inst. must frequently occur —We have however endeavoured, to avoid considering the citizens of the States as proper subjects of either military capture or exchange. The operation of this principle would be wholly in favor of the enemy. However when circumstances make it necessary to enter upon such an exchange, it should be made by...
120From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th Inst. came to hand yesterday evening I shall communicate the success of Col. Whites enterprise to Congress and beg that you will present my thanks to him, the other Officers and the Corps concerned on the occasion. I am Dr Sr Yr Mo. hum: Servt Df , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to John Jay, 16 Aug. (second letter).
121From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your (private) letter of the 7th. The present Æra is big of events—the next ten or twelve days will, most assuredly bring forth something of importance—till which (I mean till the designs of the enemy are a little more unfolded) I shall not think it consistent with military prudence to make further detachments from this army however desirous I may be to beat up the enemys...
122From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 6 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 4th—inclosing a Copy of a Letter from Colo. White. The Fleet, of which I had received very particular intelligence before, I believe, is gone to the Eastward in pursuit of our Armed Vessels sent to penobscot. Such is my information by a person who left New York the day before they sailed, which was the 1st; and circumstances strongly point to this...
123George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] August 4, 1779 . Approves of alterations made in disposition of the troops. Discusses opposition to removal of militia to safer place. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
124From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterday about three hours ago —For the reasons you assign, I approve of the alterations you have made in the disposition of the troops which had taken place previous to your arrival. I am sorry the proposed removal of the Militia from horseneck has met with the opposition you mention—In the late position of the enemy they were exposed to the most imminent danger;...
125From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 1 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received Your favor of Yesterday. I have nothing to add upon the subject of your command. 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...
126George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] July 28, 1779 . Orders Howe to Ridgefield, Connecticut, to “cover the country and prevent as far as possible the depredations of the enemy.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
127From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 28 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased without delay to repair to Ridgefield and take your quarters with that part of your command—This will comprehend Glovers brigade the cavalry Armands independent corps and the militia in service in that part of the country—The primary object of this command is to cover the country and prevent as far as possible the depredations of the enemy; but this is not to be done at the...
128From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is thought from a view of the fortifications on Verblanks point that there is a ⟨g⟩ood prospect of possessing our selves of the Garrison. You will therefore march down your troops and open a battery against their Block House as soon as possible. After beating the block House about their Ears if you can find any apprehensions in the Garrison for their safety, You will make a disposition of...
129From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your Two favors of to day. I am sorry for the difficulties you seem to be under. I had no doubt but that the Cannon and Ammunition would proceed together—as One without the other could be of no service. I hope before this reaches you, you will have received both. I have sent you a number of intrenching Tools—and expected they had gone before from West point. There is not...
130George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 16 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 16, 1779 . Orders Howe to reconnoiter Verplanks Point and to try to force the enemy into deserting that post. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.