31From 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...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34George 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.
35From 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...
36From 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...
37George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 20, 1779. Transmits complaint from the Third Massachusetts Regiment to Howe. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
38From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed complaint from the Non commissioned officers and soldiers of the third Massachusettes regiment was delivered me by Col. Scammell. As the form in which it appears is improper, and if attended to, might operate as a precedent for sedition, I have directed Col. Scammell to express my disapprobation of the manner of the complaint and point out the proper channel through which redress...
39From 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...
40From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of yesterday with its inclosures. Capt. Willings confinement is by way of retaliation for that of Govr Hamiltons in Virginia. A representation on the subject has gone to the State of Virginia and I hope a mutual release from the present rigorous treatment of both Gentlemen will be the consequence. By Our observartions from this side the River it appears that the enemy have...
41From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have both your favs. of the 23d. By a deserter this day from Verplanks point I have recd pretty good information of the late movements upon that and Stoney point. He says they have sent down three Regiments and have upon that account contracted their Works. I have nothing to do with the Regulations in the Commissaries department. the Deputy attending your division must represent the...
42George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 25, 1779 . Orders Howe to appoint a court of inquiry to investigate the complaint against Colonel John Greaton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
43From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you a few days since on the subject of a complaint against Col. Grayton —He has heard of the affair and applied for a court of inquiry—I have told him that you will be directed to grant him one—You will therefore be pleased to appoint a court, in your division, composed of members suited to the delicate and interesting nature of the business—You will make the Cols: request the...
44From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 27 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received your private letter of yesterdays date —fully perswaded that so respectable a body as the General Officers of this army can hold no improper meetings—& that no representation will be made by them to Congress that is not conveyed in respectful terms—& founded in the strictest rules of propriety & justice I by no means disapprove the one you speak of for the purpose...
45V. From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received such advices from Congress respecting the French fleet under the command of Count D’Estaing, that I have not a doubt of his coming to this part of the Coast for the purposes of cooperation—nor of his being upon it immediately. I therefore request you to resume yr position on Croton—near pines bridge to effect, if possible, the end mentioned in my letter of the 13th Ulto. I am...
46From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two letters of the 4th & 5th inst. We have nothing particular in this quarter for your information. You will be pleased to thank the party of horse in my name for the great gallantry with which they behaved. I am Dr Sir Your Most obt Servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These letters have not been found. A letter from...
47From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of yesterday. Since I explained to you my motives for directing a change of your position, it has been my wish that you should take such an one, as would enable at the shortest notice to prevent the escape of the enemy by land should they attempt it, but at the same time to have a regard to your own safety. The particular spot I leave to your own discretion and...
48From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of this date with the two prisoners of War. I shall put them into the hands of the Commy of prisoners who makes frequent exchanges of the few privates of ours now of days in the possession of the enemy, by which means Colo. Sheldons Men will probably soon regain their liberty in the regular way. You will be pleased to furnish Capt. Lequaw’s Company with provision and...
49From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favd last Evening with your two letters of yesterday. I cannot learn from the Deserters who have come out the two past days that any troops came up the River at the time you mention, but as movements might have taken place below of which they were ignorant, I very much approve of your making use of every precaution against a surprize—The enemy, upon the last settlement of accounts, fell...
50From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your two letters—both of the 21st. The approbation of the Court of enquiry on Col. Greaton has been in General orders —and transmitted by the Adjutant general to Genl Heath. I am sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These letters from Howe to GW have not been found. For GW’s concerns when non-commissioned officers and...
51From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 24 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Both your favors of yesterday came to hand last Evening as did that of the 22d. I have, for some days past, had the destruction of the Enemy’s wood on Lloyds neck in contemplation. Major Tallmadge having been lately over on an excursion is probably better acquainted with the practicability of such a matter than any other person. From some hints which he dropped, when last at Head Quarters, he...
52From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of this date before me. If the waggon which Col. Armands party has taken was in the employ of the enemy with the consent of the owner it should be sold for the benefit of the captors. But if it was forced into service by the enemy it will be no more than a common act of justice to restore it to the proprietor. I thank you for the news-paper and am dear Sir. P.S. You will be...
53From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will receive Mr Pulteney’s lucubrations—and my thanks for the perusal of them. He has made I perceive, the dependance of America essential to the existance of Great Britain as a powerful Nation—This I shall not deny—because I am in sentiment with him in thinking her fallen state in consequence of the seperation too obvious to be disputed—It was of magnitude sufficient to have made...
54George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 12 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 12, 1779 . Reports that Major General Benedict Arnold’s court-martial is to be held at Morristown on December 20, 1779. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 30 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You all the Letters which have been sent or received by me, on the subject of Colo. Mitchells attending the Trial of Major General Arnold. They are all numbered in regular order from No. 1 to 9 Inclusive. When the Court have read them, they will be pleased to return them. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem gentn Your Most Obt st Df , in Robert...
56From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The state of Genl Heath’s health making a releif from duty necessary he has received my permission for this purpose — This with other considerations which will occur to yourself, (especially as the condition of the river may tempt the enemy to enterprise something in that quarter), renders your presence there essential I have therefore to request that you may return as soon as convenient to...
57From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your several favors of the 17th February; two of the 28th; and two dated the 4th instant. From the representation of the Court of Enquiry in your letter of the 28th, and till a favorable change in its objects, I am induced to authorise you to direct Col. Hay D.Q.M.G. to augment the number of express riders to the exigencies of the day. He is to make me forthwith a...
58From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 10–11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 7th. I fancy your information of the enemy’s having been at Sufferans was without foundation—at least I have heard nothing of it, and I think such an occurrence could not have escaped the Officer who commands the party at paramus. I take it for granted that General Heath has furnished you with a Copy of the instructions which I left with him when I removed from...
59From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Intelligence & from a person who thinks himself well informed, that the enemy have it in contemplation to pay us a visit (& in a very short time) at this Post. At the sametime that I discredit the report (at least with respect to time) I do not despise the information especially as our circumstances, & some appearances with them are not opposed to the measure. The effect I wish...
60From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my private letter of this morning Baron De Kalb who is on the lines, informs me, that “the enemy have taken up a large number of vessels (it seems for an expedition against this quarter) All the houses on the western and northern sides of Staten Island are taken for barracking troops. That on the 8th inst. a number of horsemen arrived on said Island together with some artillery men, and...