601To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 27th Instant. The last Evening we moved back from the Neighbourhood of Kingsbridge—General Lincoln’s Troops to Dobbs’s Ferry, & Tarry Town—the Connecticut Militia to N. Rochell; and the York Militia towards White Plains—This remove was for the following reasons. We could not reduce the Fort by Cannonade, being destitute of proper Artillery—As to...
602To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10–11 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the following I shall give your Excellency a State of facts relative to the late capture of Lt Colo. Thompson and part of his detachment on the lines of this post, on the 3d Instant. Lt Colonel Thompson was at that time at young’s near the white plains his detachment consisted of five companies. Cap. Watson of the 3d Regt with his Company was at Young’s house with the Lieutenant Colonel....
603To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of yours of the 14th Instant. I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that a large Sum of Money is now due to the United States from the British Government for Supplies furnished to the Troops of the Convention and that the pay Master and Commissary to those Troops were just going for Rhode Island with the Accounts to obtain the money, when the Expedition...
604To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing on yesterday, Genl Burgoyne has sent his packet of Letters for examination. I observe he has enclosed several Copies of Letters which have passed between us. All these Copies, and others I have some time since transmitted to Congress. It would not do for me to object to General Burgoyne’s sending them to General Howe, for obvious reasons, and I am assured your Excellency’s...
605To George Washington from William Heath, 29 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed are just come to hand from captain Pray. The intelligence which he gives corresponds with that given by major Maxwell—and the boats collecting at Cuyler’s-hook seem to indicate an intention of their designs on both sides of our advanced parties. I have written to captain Pray to move all his spare boats up to King’s ferry—indeed to make that his principal rendezvous, keeping only...
606To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 13th Instant and immediately gave Orders Accordingly. Brigadiers General Nixon, and Glover with Colonels Greaton, Sheppard, Nixon, Putnam, Wigglesworth, Alding, Bigelow, and late Pattersons, Regiments I have Ordered to Peeks-Kill, Brigadier General Patterson, with Colonels Marshall, Brewer, Bradford, Frances, Bailey, Wesson & Jacksons Regiments to...
607To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I was honored with yours of the 19th inst. I am happy to hear Your Excellency is determined again to rouse the eastern States, & urge the necessity of their forwarding provissions; but I fear before any benifit can be derived from this, unless the Cattle are now on the road, our case will be deplorable if not desperate. The Q.M.G. must devise some means for getting down the...
608To George Washington from William Heath, 27 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 19th instant. I did not receive a letter from the superintendant of finance by the last post, respecting the price charged for the ration issued to the officers. The inclosed observations were handed to me a day or two since by lord Stirling, from which your Excellency will see a state of the matter and the uneasiness which consequently exists among the...
609To George Washington from William Heath, 1 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 24th ultimo yesterday.—Have this day called for the returns of those who have not had the small pox, and directed that preparations be made for putting them under inoculation as soon as possible. I do not know whether the clothing for the Rhode-island regiment is gone on or not. The Subaltern and party shall be instructed conformably to your directions. The...
610To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to your Excellency by Monsieur Mauduit de Plesis, who lately arrived here with the French General De Borre—He has represented to the Council of this State, that he is charged with Dispatches to the Honble Congress—The Council have desired me to assist & forward him. I take the Liberty to enclose Copy of a Letter from Col. Wayne dated at Ticonderoga the 25th of March 1777,...
611To George Washington from William Heath, 5 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
It is difficult for us to express the regret we feel at being obliged again to solicit your excellency’s attention and patronage. Next to the anguish which the prospect of our own wretchedness excites in our breasts, is the pain which arises from a knowledge of your anxiety on account of those men who have been the sharers of your fortunes, and have had the honor of being your companions...
612To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I was honored with yours of the 3d Inst., & immediately after consulting General Count de Rochambeau, discharged all the Militia who had come in on the alarm. The spirit & ardour discovered by the Militia on this occassion, I think, will have a very powerfull effect on the mind, both of our Friends, & Enemies. General de Rochambeau detains Colo. Greens Regiment, and...
613To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your’s of the 2d. Immediately upon receiving the signification of your pleasure, I called on the state Clothiers for a return of Blankets received by them since the last delivery; enclosed are those from Connecticut and New Hampshire. that from Massachusetts was made from Fish kill to the Clothier-general’s Office. I endeavoured to learn from Major General Howe the...
614To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 21st Inst., & am much distressed to hear of the disagreable Situation that your Excellency is like soon to be in. None of the Eastern Militia have as yet arrived that I know of except those mention’d in my Letter of Yesterday —When they come in I shall endeavor strictly to observe your Excellency’s Directions. It is truly surprising that whilst...
615To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The exposed situation of many friendly Inhabitants in and about Bedford, to the excursions of the Enemy, whose fears are much raised since the capture of Colonel Welles, & part of his regiment, and some ravages in the neighbourhood of Bedford; at their earnest request I have thought it best to reinforce the Detachment on the Lines, which has consisted of 150 Rank & File, to 200 properly...
616To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 24th Instant[.] I do not recollect to have Sent any Letters by the Fridays Post who lost his Mail in an Infamous manner. I have Also received from Colo. Harrison, the Resolves of the Honble Continental Congress of the 19th Instant, with a Signification of your Excellencys Pleasure that they should be Published in orders, which...
617To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of your’s of the 18th Instant—In my last I observed that I had sent an Express to the Hon. Mr Langdon —he returned me an Answer last night, that he would upon the Commissary’s Coming down again deliver him the Stores, & afford him all the Assistence in his power to remove them—I have ordered him down immediately. The Lead Ball, Flints, Powder & Tents, I have...
618To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 5th a few hours, since that of the 31st Ultimo, not ’til this moment where the latter has been I cannot tell. it’s delay has been the Cause of my troubling you more than once on one subject. I shall take immediate measures for the Security of Colo. Kosciuszko’s Chest; it Shall be lodged at my own quarters. Preparations are making for taking up the chain. at...
619To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being so unhappy as to Differ in Sentiment from a Majority of the Honble Board of General Officers of the Army of the United States of america, in the Important Question whether, a Former Determination of the Board Should be reconsidered, and the City of new York no⟨w⟩ be Evacuated, and Some of the General officers Desiring that the reasons of the Gentlemen Differing in Sentiment from the...
620To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I now do myself the honor to inclose copies of several Letters which have passed between Major General Phillips and me if your Excellency shoud think it worth your while to give them a perusal. The reasons of first restricting him to his House &c. are fully known. The expressions contained in some of his Letters since, in particular that of the first of October, were the reasons for my...
621To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2-3 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with yours of the 27 ulto to which I am paying due attention. I thank your Excellency for leave of relaxation from business for the recovery of my health: The present distresses of the army will cause me to do it with much reluctance. I have been indefatigable in my endeavors to obtain a Supply of Provisions for the Troops here. My prospects have been at times various. Mr...
622To George Washington from William Heath, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letters from general Bailey and Mr Adams, were handed me a few days since by captain Edgar, the person refered to in those letters. Captain Edgar’s want of money has induced him not to think of proceeding farther southward. He is for the present gone to Albany, where he has several friends. He informs me, that there is undoubtedly a plan of union maturing between the british...
623To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
8 O’Clock A.M. By the observations made at Hull (Nantasket) the last evening at 6 o’Clock, the Enemy’s Fleet, in sight, consisted of Twenty Ships, one Sloop & one Schooner within about Two leagues, veering E.S.E., from Light house Island, 8 or 10 of them Ships of the Line (one wearing a blue Flag at her fore Top mast head) 8 Frigates the others small. Between 1, & 3, O’Clock this morning 6 or...
624To George Washington from William Heath, 23 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to a resolution of Congress sent me the last fall, and which I communicated to your Excellency, I have been endeavouring to obtain the documents necessary to ascertain the quantity of forage consumed by the allied army in West Chester county the last campaign. I wrote once and again to colonel Pickering, quartermaster-general of the American army, for a return of the number of...
625To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send, to be disposed of as your Excellency may think proper, one John Hodge an Inhabitant of New york, who is Suspected of being a Spy. Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter just received from General Parsons, by which you will perceive that the Militia are destitute of Ammunition. If it be your pleasure that they be Supplied Let me request an order from your Excellency for a quantity to be...
626To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major General Howe returned yesterday from the Jersies, I expected the Battalion Sent from the Lines Under the Command of Colo. Scammell would have returned with the other Troops, but the General informed me that he had n[e]ither Seen or heard from Colo. Scammell, Upon which I immediately Sent off an express to Colo. Scammell with orders for him to return with the Detachment up[on] the receipt...
627To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7–10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 2d Instant pr Captain Hopkins of Colo. Moylans Light Dragoons. shall afford him every assistance in my power. Brigadier General Learned called upon me a day or two since and requested that I would transmit your Excellency the enclosed Certificates, and represent his present state of Health. In the Campaign of 1775 by a violent fall he received a breach...
628To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received by a Letter from Col. Grayson, the Signification of your Excellency’s Pleasure, that the Officers of my Division should get thoroughly acquainted, with the Grounds between this post & Morrissania —This I have been daily inculcating already, & shall now press, in consequence of your Excellency’s Direction. In my Orders on Yesterday I endeavoured to rouse the Officers &...
629To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
From several peices of Intelligence which we have lately received, I think there are some grounds to apprehend that the Enemy are removing some of their Troops from philadelphia to New York, and from thence to Newport. Whether these movements are for the security of those places, or with further design is matter of conjecture. It has long been my Sentiment that the great Sea-port Towns are...
630To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This afternoon fifteen or sixteen Brittish Ships of war have made their appearance off this Harbour to the Eastward of Block island—more than half of them I think are Ships of the Line—from appearances at Sunsetting they intended to come to under Block Island. Admiral Greaves has probably joined Admiral Arbuthnot and their design is to block up the Fleet of Monsieur Le Chevalier De Ternay, and...
631To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was some time since honor’d with yours of the 28th ultimo respecting Cloathing for the recruits—and this morning with that of the 17th Instant. Several Officers have already come from West-Point on the recruiting service and others are on the road: I wish they may be successfull—but, am at loss from the tenor of your Excellencys Letter to determine what bounty the recruits raised by this...
632To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I received a packet from the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts bay Containing several papers, (of which the enclosed are Copies) and a number of Warrants for Officers they have promoted and by which they are to act untill they receive Commissions from the board of war, to whom there is a Certificate among the papers. The assembly desire that I would...
633To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a letter I received yesterday from Lt Colonel Hull. I wrote him an answer that he was not to put himself, or the Regular Troops, under the Command of a Militia Officer —Whether upon the receipt of my letter, Colonel Thomas would conclude to act as a Voluntier, under Colonel Hull or not, I have not yet learnt. The heavy rain this day will probably suspend the Enterprise untill the...
634To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with Yours of yesterday. I had given orders, the day before to the Guards at the Ferry, at the water Battery, at Swims’s, & at Kings Ferry not to allow any Boats to pass up, or down the river between Tattoo & Revillee. I am happy to hear Colonel Humphries, the Officers, and men who were with him have safely returned. I have releived Lt Edes with a Lt White, the...
635To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening about 8 O’Clock I received the honor of your’s of the 7th Instt, & immediately gave Orders for the Regiments of General Parsons’s Brigade which are on this Side of Hudson’s River, to pass over which they will do this day —I shall also order Huntington’s & Tyler’s to join them, & pursue the effecting the purposes, which your Excellency has been pleased to point out. This post...
636To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Day before yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 27th Decr and most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on your Signal victory over the Enemy at Trenton, This will be Productive of the Best Consequences, and has already given New Life to Our affairs. The last night I had the Honor of yours of the 28th Containing the agreable News of the Retreat of Count Donnop—I am Extremely...
637To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of your’s of the 31st of December, & 5th & 7th of Jany. In my last I mentioned to your Excellency the taking of one Strang & the Appointment of a General Court martial for his Tryall—The Court gave in their Judgment on the 5th Inst. Copy of which I take the Liberty in inclose —I have not as yet approved or disapproved the Sentence, as this is the first Tryal of the...
638To George Washington from William Heath, 17 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the morning of the 13th instant lieutenant Deforest of the Connecticut line, who had been detached by major-general Parsons, with twenty-five regular troops and captain Lockwood of the militia with fifteen volunteers, including lieutenants Hull and Mead of the Connecticut state troops, formed a design of boarding a sloop of ten carriage guns then at anchor in East Chester bay, and having...
639To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased on yesterday to request the Opinion of the General Officers in Council on certain matters there communicated to them having considered the Same am of Opinion. That from the Inferiorty of the Army of the United States in numbers to that of the Enemy and the Necessity of keeping a proper Garrison at West Point and its dependencies the disposition and...
640To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few days since, a young man by the name of Hazleton Spencer was Sent here prisoner from Albany. he asserts that he is an Ensign in Sir John Johnsons Corps, but has not his commission With him. I appointed three Officers to examine him. Enclosed is Copy of their report. I Wish your Excellency’s opinion and direction. I have kept him closely confined in the provost. probably upon a strict...
641To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The day before yesterday I was honored with yours of the 17th Instant. If his Excellency General de Rochambeau should consent to the three months militia marching forward while I remain in this quarter they shall be directed to the place you are pleased to point out. At present they are employed in fortifying and rendering very strong, Butts’s hill, a post which the Count considers of the...
642To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I received the Honor of yours of the 14th Instant and this day that of the 6th—shall forward the Troops with all Possible dispatch, as the Regiments had no apprehensions of being Called Upon to march on so Short notice, They are not prepared for takeing the Field but the Utmost Vigilance shall be Exerted to prepare them, Their Strength is but Inconsiderable, Jacksons about 200...
643To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose the Sentiments of the Officers of the three Brigades on this Side the river with respect to the regulateing the prices of the necessaries of Life in Camp as expressed by their Committee appointed by the respective Brigades—for that purpose. From my present particular Situation I wish to Obtain the earliest notice of the movements of the Enemy on the River both...
644To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the late Scarcity of Flour Some of the Troops were Ten Days without Bread, which was Such a Tryal even to the veterans that one Brigade was on the point of a mutiny, The Corps of New York Levies under the Command of Colo. Pawling, posted at Stony Point did not continue through it, your Excellency having promised them when they had Compleated, the work at Stony point that they should be...
645To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that Major General Lincoln has just arrived at this Post, but his Troops have not as yet got in, except about Two Regiments. That no time should be lost I have been sending over a Quantity of provisions to Haverstraw, and as soon as the Militia arrive in sufficient numbers shall pass over with them—A Body of the Militia belonging to this State,...
646To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is Copy of a Letter which I have just received from Major General Riedesel and Brigadeir General Hamilton with whom I have for some time transacted the public Business of the Troops of Convention, having found it impossible to do business with propriety with Major General Phillips. Your Excellency will observe, what they advance, and that they seem rather to hold up an Idea that...
647To George Washington from William Heath, 20 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will find copy of return of the two New Hampshire regiments, some time since called for. The original was forwarded to major general Lincoln, agreeable to your directions in a former letter. Abel Whitcomb, a soldier in the Massachusetts line, was executed here the last week, for repeated desertions, changing his name & inlisting again. Two others who were sentenced to...
648To George Washington from William Heath, 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last addressed your Excellency the 18th instant. I have since been honored with yours of the 13th and 15th. The Towns are now makeing the greatest exertions to compleat their Quotas of men for the Continental Battalions, the greater part of them will be raised, some of them for the Campaign only, these how ever, will be of the best men, The militia will be detached conformable to your...
649To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to congratulate your Excellency on the safe arrival of the Ship Flamond at Portsmouth in 75 days passage from Marseilles having on board for the service of the United States, besides a General Officer, 48 peices of brass Cannon 4 pdrs with Carriages compleat. 19 nine Inch Morters, 2500 Bombs 9 Inch. 2000–4 pd Ball. a number of intrenching Tools, 3000 Fusees, 1110 of another Quality...
650To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send herewith a Capt. Coles of the Militia lately taken from Long Island, by the letters I take the Liberty to enclose your Excellency will observe, that it is wished he may be exchanged for One of the Captains lately taken from us by the Enemy. I also send a deserter with his arms who left Verplanks Point on Tuesday. In a Letter which I received the last evening from Major Talmage he...