To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 19 June 1780
From Major General Robert Howe
In the Highlands [N.Y.] 19th June 1780
Dear Sir
I am this moment Honour’d with your Excellencys Favour of the 18th Instant—In consequence of my application to Governor Clinton he has Orderd a Body of Militia to join me with all possible expedition, and warn’d a number more to repair to me when Alarm Signals are given1—Upon the appearance of some of the Enemies Ships Yesterday, I instantly sent express to Governor Clinton urging the necessity of presing up Clintons Brigade, and the Militia that I had required, for not knowing when either would arive I thought it proper to call for boath, lest any disappointment should happen, and because my inteligence pursuaded me both would become requisite, and if not that the Militia might be easily countermanded.2
Depend Sir your Orders shall be punctually attended too and that nothing within the reach of my Abilities or that my utmost exertions can affect shall be wanting—I shall give you Sir the erliest information of any occurrence worth your notice.
meeting your Excellencys letter upon the Road as I was out reconnoitring some places which required my attention, I Write in great Haste—but am with the Sincerest reguard and Greatest respect Your Excellencys most Obe. Servant
Robert Howe
LS, DLC:GW. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote “ansd 20th” on the docket, but GW replied on 21 June.
Howe again wrote GW on this date: “A small Detachment of Clinton’s Brigade is arrived—the Rest I hope will be on soon—A Report is spreading here that the Enemy are withdrawn or are withdrawing from the Jerseys. Should this be the Case, I have earnestly to hope that Moylan’s Corps may be remanded, as their Services will be essentially wanted on the Lines on this Side—indeed I think them so consequential to this Quarter that their Absence will be felt & that probably severely” (LS, DLC:GW; Harrison again wrote “ansd 20” on the docket, but GW replied on 21 June). Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen’s corps remained in its fortified posts at Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey. For Col. Stephen Moylan’s cavalry regiment being ordered to the main army, see GW to Howe, 10 June.
1. See Clinton to GW, 17 June, and the notes to that document.
2. Howe wrote New York governor George Clinton on this date that recent intelligence from GW “will convince you how demonstrable the enemies intention of attacking this post is become, especially when I add, that all my observations and the informations of my most confidential Emissaries unite to impress upon me the certainty, that this will be the case … the very first South wind will probably bring up our Foes, who will exert themselves to the utmost to effect their purposes before we can be supported, or if possible to cut off our communication with the country” (, 5:852–53).