To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 August 1779
From Major General William Heath
Mandavilles [Dutchess County, N.Y.] Augst 8th 1779
4 oClock P.M.
Dear General
In a Letter which I had the honor to receive from your Excellency on the 25th Ulto1 you were pleased to Observe as follows vizt “I send by the Boat Elisha Daniels His Story is that he lived at Crompond—went to the enemy Since they took post at Verplancks Point—& deserted from them a few days agoe you will have him kept under guard till you can inform yourself of his character and the circumstances that attended his going in and his return—when you will be able to determine whether he may be released with propriety”—enclosed is a Letter from Colo. Drake respecting Daniels former Character—an account Similar was given me to Day by another person acquainted with him—shall I Send him over to Your Excellency, or to Fishkill or else where?2
This moment, Three French Deserters from Verplanks Point are sent to me by Genl Nixon, enclosed is an examination taken before that Gentleman.3
In a Letter which General Parsons has Just received from Genl Wolcott mention is made of a French ⟨&⟩ Spanish Fleets being expected at New York—so that the report is Spread every way whether it be true or not I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obedient Servt
W. Heath
P.S. Genl Parsons informs me that he has from a Confident[i]al friend whose Intelligence He thinks may be relyed on.4
That the Enemy do not allow any person to go to or Come from the City by the east River.
That there is a great press in New York both for men and Shipping.
That the Body of the Army lie below the 7 mile Stone.5
That Troops are removing to Staten Island.
That [ ] Saies that he thinks from every account that he receives a French Fleet is either now off the Hook or Soon expected there by the Enemy, and that [ ] agrees with him in opinion. The two Persons whose names should fill the foregoing Blanks are Gentlemen of Character—a person who lately went to Newyork has not returned by the Time expected.
ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers.
1. See GW to Heath, 25 July.
2. This letter has not been identified; however, for related information, see Heath’s letter of 5 Aug. to Col. Samuel Drake of the Westchester County, N.Y., militia, quoted in GW to Heath, 25 July, n.2. For GW’s response on the disposition of Daniels, see GW to Heath, 9 August.
3. This enclosure has not been identified.
John Nixon (1727–1815), of Sudbury, Mass., an experienced militia officer from the French and Indian War, had commanded a company of minutemen at Lexington and Concord in 1775. He became colonel of one of the Massachusetts regiments raised in May 1775 and was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He continued to serve as a colonel of the regiment after its incorporation into the Continental army in June 1775. In January 1776, Nixon became colonel of the newly organized 4th Continental Regiment, where he served until his promotion to brigadier general in August 1776. He left the army in September 1780.
4. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons’s confidential friend was most likely the spy William Heron of Redding, Connecticut. For Parson’s relationship with Heron and his use of Heron as a spy, see GW to Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June (first letter), n.5.
5. Milestone seven was on the road from New York to King’s Bridge on Manhattan Island.