To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 7 March 1780
From Major General Robert Howe
Hig[h]lands [N.Y.] March 7th 1780
Dr sir,
I inclose your Excellency the Copy of a letter I just received from colonel John Mead of Militia at Horseneck, and also one of Governor Trumbulls to him.1 Colo. Meads apprehensions by consulting the date they took rise from, seem to have been impressed by those movements of the Enemy, when the thaw prevented their Enterpr[i]se.
The Expectation of support from this Quarter upon very trifling alarms, seems to be a prevalent passion of the State officers at that Post, and even by the Governors letter one would think he had adopted similar Sentiments—His Excellency mentions orders sent to Genl Heath, & the commandg officer of Genl Poors Brigade, as to their conduct when applied to by him, or those by his direction for assistance, as nothing of this sort has been handed to me by Genl Heath, Your Excellency would oblige me by a Detail of your Instructions upon that head, if any have been given, either to Genl Heath or Genl Poor, that I may Govern myself accordingly.2
The river is Breaking up, but is at present in a State impracticable either, for Boats or Carriages.
The Works may soon be gone upon in force, if the Weather continues Warm, we have been several days working with small parties upon some of them, But as Teams will be wanted, and we have no Forage, nothing very Effectual can be done at them, until that Article can be procured.3 I have taken every possible measure to hasten some up, but the roads at present are against us, not admitting either Sleighs, or Waggons to pass, I hope this however will soon be over, There is no circumstanc⟨e⟩ very particular here, but if there was, as I have heard that the Enemy have been out to Sufferance, I should not chuse to trust it by the road Mr Armstrong travels—until I hear farther.4
I hope my letters by Express reached you safely5—I have the Honour to be with the truest Respect Sir Yr Excellency’s Most Obt Servant
Robt Howe
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed copy of a letter from Col. John Mead to Howe, dated 2 March at Greenwich, Conn., reads: “By Intelligence we have lately received, we have the greatest Reason to expect a Visit, by a large Body of the Enemy to plunder this Town which we are in daily Expectation of—The Incursions & Ravages of the Enemy’s plundering Parties into this Town are so frequent that unless we can have some immediate Assistance we cannot expect in a few Days to have a Hoof of Cattle, or a Horse worth carrying off, left—there is scarcely a Night passes but more or less are carried off—our Guards are so small & Lines so extensive, that ’tis impossible for us to prevent them—The Militia in this Quarter have been so much call’d on Duty that they are allmost worn out & discouraged.
“I have lately made Application to his Excellency Governor Trumbel for an immediate Assistance from the Militia; but they are yet to be raised, & ’twill not be worth while to shut the Stable Door after the Steed is stolen. I am directed to make Application to your Honor for Assistance, as you will see by his Excellency’s Letter sent by the Bearer for your Perusal.
“Sir, if you cou’d send a Detachment of abou⟨t⟩ four hundred men into King Street, or Harrison’s Purchase, or such Number as you may think proper, with the Assistance of the few Militia at this Post we might in a great Measure prevent the Depredations of the Enemy.
“Sir your Assistance at this Time of our Distress will be gratefully & thankfully acknowledged” (DLC:GW).
The enclosed copy of a letter to Mead from Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., dated at Hartford on 26 Feb., reads: “Doctor Mead informs me you are in apprehension of Danger from an attack of the Enemy on Greenwich.
“You are no Doubt acquainted with the measures taken by our assembly in their present sessions for the Security of our Borders—I[n] addition to this assistance, in case of Danger, You will be pleased to make application to Genl Heath, whose orders are to cover & secure the Country, as far East as Norwalk, He will no Doubt pay due attention to your security—You will also, if thought necessary, make like application to Colo. Cilley Commandant of Genl Poors Brig[ad]e at Danbury, who will give you all the aid in his power, He being specially Directed to Give Support in this State on my requisition—from these two resources, with the aid of militia, order’d & going to your defence, I hope you may remain in security” (DLC:GW).
2. GW replied on 10 March, referring Howe to his instructions to Maj. Gen. William Heath of 27 Nov. 1779 (second letter) and quoting his instructions to Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor of the same date. GW explained that his “Ideas only extended in general to throwing a Chain of light parties from the North River to the sound.” Only in case of “an actual and serious invasion” of Connecticut was Poor to respond in force to the state’s calls for assistance (DLC:GW).
3. Howe is referring to the fortifications at West Point.