331To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favored With a Sight of your letters to General Rochambeau and Admiral de Ternay, mentioning the arrival of a fleet at Sandy hook—Supposed to be a squadron under the command of Admiral Rodney —a few minutes before I received the enclosed from Colonel Ledyard at New London. General Rochambeau and Admiral de Ternay went yesterday morning to Providence; Were not expected to...
332To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with yours of the 10th enclosing duplicate of yours of the 28th Ultimo. that letter came to hand by post but was a long time coming. I executed one of the Culprits who was under Sentence of death for desertion, and pardoned the other three. Colonel Green’s regiment will march on with their old arms; but the Colonel assures me many of them are very unfit for actual service. We...
333To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with yours of the 28th ultimo ⅌ post. I immediately acquainted General Count de Rochambeau with your Wishes respecting the militia doing duty here. He wishes to retain them a little longer; partly on account of the intelligence you were pleased to communicate to him in your Letter of the 3d Instant, of the motions of the Enemy at New York, and also in consequence of the...
334To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with yours of the 2d Instant—I address’d your Excellency on the 22d Ultimo, and requested Your direction in Several instances therein mentioned. in Yours of the 2d you are pleased to acknowlege the Receipt of mine of the 25th and 28th Ultimo, but make no mention of that of the 22d—which leaves me at uncertainty whether my letter reached you or not, or whether an answer is on...
335To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Comte de Rochambeau has this morning consented to Colo. Green’s Regiment joining the Army; I shall therefore order them to march as Soon as possible; which I apprehend will be Some time the next Week. the Comte retains the three months militia from Massachusetts for the purpose of compleating the Works at Butts’s hill. this Militia consists of parts of five Regiments, as...
336To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the master of a Small Vessell who left Martha’s Vineyard yesterday morning I learn that Admiral Arbuthnot is at that place with nine Sail of the line, eight other Ships of War of different rates and two tenders—that he has made a demand of 11000 lb. of Beef and Mutton to be delivered every other day at 5d. ⅌ lb. that the inhabitants had represented to him that they could not Comply With the...
337To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning I was informed by a Credible Coaster from Martha’s Vineyard that the British Fleet were the day before in the Vineyard Sound and to the Westward of the Island, to the number of twenty Sail & upwards. their object probably is to plunder the Stock &c. I think it is not unlikely that the Small embarkation of Troops lately mentioned to be taking place at New York are on this...
338To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with yours of the 21st Instant by the Same Express with one from Governor Trumbull of the 23d and one from Major Talmadge of the 22d—they all contain nearly the same intelligence. Colonel Potter of South Kingston this moment writes me that a Gentleman on Sunday last, four o’Clock P.M. Saw the Brittish fleet W.S.W. from Montauq point Steering for Sandy hook. All the...
339To 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...
340To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is an application from Lieut. Cooke, for leave to resign his Commission in Colo. Greenes Regiment, impaired health occasions his request. The enclosed Letters from New-London are just come to hand, I apprehend the enemy have some Small enterprise in contemplation. The master of a vessel Just arrived at Dartmouth reports that he saw a Fleet of Sixty Sail off Nantucket, who or what they...
341To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to address your Excellency under this days date, the British Fleet have appeared off this place to the number of Sixteen or eighteen Sail. A Gentleman has just arrived here from Salem, who brings an account of the arrival of the Continental Ship Alliance at Boston, and many other particulars of news. He has also brought a Boston News Paper of the 17th instant, which I...
342To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleet under the Command of Admiral Arbuthnot, which was lately at Anchor in Gardners Bay, came to sail the day before yesterday, and yesterday we are informed were off New London. Some Deserters lately from the Fleet, report that Sir Henry Clinton has yet designs against the French Fleet & Army here, and that he will soon make an attempt with 13000 Land Forces; little credit is...
343To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 13 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I addressed you yesterday I expressed my determination to join your Excellency in a few days. I expected General Count Rochambeau would object to my leaving him but I apprehended I should be able to obviate those objections. I have this day mentiond my wishes and intentions to repair to our Army, he will not hear a word of it—says your Excellency has intimated to him, that if he finds my...
344To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am Just honored with yours of the 8th Instant; I am happy to find that the late conduct of the militia has been Such as to merit your approbation. As your Excellency is pleased more fully to express in your last Letter, that it is intirely with myself immediately to Join the army or not, I am at once decided; for howsoever pleasing it is to me to Converse with aid and assist, the generous...
345To 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...
346To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor last to write your Excellency I have been closely employed in forming the Militia who have been comeing to our Aid into Brigades and makeing other necessary arrangments. Two thousand men have been & still are advanced near this Town about 1500 at Butts hill and the remainder at Howlands and Bristol Ferry perhaps a greater spirit never was discovered than has been on the...
347To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this Evening honored with yours of the 31st ultimo. I came here the last Evening in order to arrange and make a distribution of the militia who are coming in from all quarters. It has been agreed that about three thousand Militia shall act upon the Island—(about 1500 near quaker Hill.) If Sir Henry Clinton should land South of the Town the militia will Support Genl Rochambeau. If he lands...
348To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of intelligence received yesterday morning from the westward that the Fleet of Transports which were lately in the Sound, and supposed to be coming this way, had sail’d towards newyork, General Count de Rochambeau express’d his pleasure that the militia which had arrived and were on their march for his support, (except those detached for three months) should return home. I...
349To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
About noon his Excellency General Count de Rochambeau received your Letter announcing that Sir Henry Clinton might be expected this way. about the same time I received similar intelligence from General Howe, Governor Trumbull General Parsons &c. The militia were immediately remanded, and every preparation is making to give the Enemy a proper reception. I have the honor to be With the greatest...
350To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
We remain nearly in the same situation here as when I had the honor last to write you. The militia have been coming in, but few are yet collected. I was in hopes that they might have been Stoped this morning, to which General Counte de Rochambeau had just consented, when I received a Letter from Governor Trumbull of the 27th in which he observes, “The following intelligence, I have in a Letter...
351To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a Variety of Intelligence from various Quarters (all which agree) the Enemy intend to make an Attempt on the Fleet and Army of our Great and good Ally at this place I have Called for the neighbouring militia of Massachusetts, and the Whole of this State, Have also requested the Council of Massachusetts to send all the three months militia this Way except those of the Counties of Hampshire &...
352To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Nothing of consequence has transpired Since I had the honor last to write you, The British Fleet continue off the harbour Some times at anchor, at other times cruizing. Yesterday afternoon I counted twelve Sail principally large Ships at anchor, and four Sail of Frigates and Sloops of war cruizing, the former to the east of Block Island, the latter between that place and point Judith, their...
353To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This Afternoon the Intelligence contained in the enclosed came to Hand, upon which General Rochambeau immediately made a requisition for 2000 Militia. I Have Called upon Governor Greene for 1500 Men and on Brigadier Godfrey of the Brigade in the County of Bristol (Massachusetts) for 800, General Rochambeau Saies that in Six days he shall be safe without the Assistance of the Militia. I Have...
354To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honor’d with yours of the 15th Instant, and this day with that of the 5th. I some time since posted a guard from Colonel Greene’s Regiment over the military Stores at Providence which I think it will be necessary to continue until the Stores are removed. The Boats have been collected and repair’d they are now at the west end of the Island and at hand to convey troops either on...
355To 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...
356To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Nothing of any considerable consequence has happened Since I had the honor last to write you. The French troops are landed and encamped in a fine situation to the South East of the Town and extend nearly across the Island. The Troops make a good appearance. The Legion under the command of the Duke de Lauzun (the officer who took Senegal the last year) is as fine a Corps as ever I saw. it is...
357To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here the last Night & this morning had the honor of congratulating Monsr le Compte de rochambeau, and monsieur le chevalier de Terney on their Safe arrival in this harbour. The Fleet consists of Seven sail of the line—the duke de Burgogne of 80 Guns. le Neptune and le Conquerant of 74—le Jazon L’Eville—L’Ardent and Le Provence of 64—le Fantasque Hospital Ship of 64—mounts 40 Guns—two...
358To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days Since honored with a Letter dated Head quarters Ramapaugh 29th June 1780 which from it’s Contents I apprehend to be from your Excellency although the Letter is Without Signature. I thank your Excellency for the assurances of Support in the Expences of my command here, and Shall pay due attention to your instructions respecting Colo. Green’s Regiment and the recruits. Every...
359To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
A little before one o’Clock this morning an express arrived here from newport with advice that yesterday afternoon the long expected fleet of our illustrious Ally appeared off that place—that the Signals were all made and the fleet Standing in to the harbour when he was Sent off. I thought it my duty to give your Excellency this instant notice—As Soon as a particular Account can be obtained it...
360To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few minutes since John Williams Esqr. formerly of Boston, arrived here in 35 days passage from L’Orient in France. He informs me that Count du Chaffault sail’d from France the 2d of May with 7 Sail of the Line 5 frigates and about 100 sail of transports having 10,000 on board —the Fleet has provisions for nine months for the whole of the troops and two millions of Crowns in Specie. By what...