1From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 5th from Pluckemin, a Copy of which I inclose, least the Original should have miscarried. I confirm all the Orders given in mine of the 5th only that I would (if it is agreeable to you both) have Genl Lincoln continue with you, and let some other proper Officer conduct the Troops who are to join me. But this I leave intirely to yourselves. I beg you will keep up every...
2From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 9th inclosing the proceedings of the Court Martial who set upon Strang. In my opinion the Sentence should be confirmed & executed. It gives me great pleasure to find that your Troops are in so great fordwardness, to move down on both sides of the River. I think the diversion which you will create, will be attended with the most happy Consequences to us and distress to the...
3From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having been desired by Congress to place some other in the room of General Ward, I have to request you will receive the command from him and hold it till further orders. I have accordingly desired him to resign it to you. I am Sir Your most Obedient servant LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently sent this letter with...
4From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will receive with this a Copy of my Letter to you of the 19th Inst. Two reasons have led me to send it, the one lest the Original may have miscarried, the other to explain it fully if you have already recd it—I do not mean to tie up your hands from effecting, or even attempting any thing that may prove honourable to yourself, or usefull to the Cause. Altho’ the original design of your...
5From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 13th directing you to order eight of the Regiments of your State to march with the greatest expedition to peekskill. I then gave you my reasons for this alteration of my former orders. Altho’ I called upon you, in the most pressing manner, to hurry the Troops on, I cannot help again repeating my distress for the want of Men; the general Backwardness of the recruiting...
6From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
By my former directions, the fifteen Regiments, belonging to your State, were all ordered to march to Ticonderoga, as soon as they were raised armed and equipped. But upon a reconsideration of the matter, founded upon several peices of Intelligence, there is a probability that the Enemy will draw part of their force from Canada by water as soon as the St Lawrence is navigable, in order to...
7From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been favd with a line from you since the 24th Ulto. Anxious for the Success of the Troops with You, I wish to hear from you frequently; An Express may meet with a ready Passage across the North River. While You are lying in that quarter I would by all means have the Forage & Provisions removed to some interior parts of the Country, entirely out of the Enemy’s reach; For altho’ the...
8From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you lately, since which the Enemy appear to be drawing their whole force to Brunswick whether with design to move towards Philadelphia Attack Us—or secure themselves from the inconveniences of detach’d bodies I know not; but as many valuable purposes may, I think be answered by your moving towards New York, I wish that no time may be lost in doing it. I have good reasons to believe...
9From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 10th. In the Settlement for Arms I plainly perceive that the loss is all likely to be thrown upon the public, and I dont know how it is to be avoided, I can only as I did before, desire you to act up to the best of your Judgment in this Matter. If some of those persons who have reinlisted are in such a Situation on Account of their Health, that they require a time to...
10From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your several favors of the 5th 6th & 7th Inst. What I mentioned to you in a former letter about a second Attempt on Fort Independence was intended merely as a Hint, on which You might improve if Circumstances should favr. I did not desire that it might interfere with the Order to march some of yr Division this way, unless it should be found highly practicable. When you arrive at...
11From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Bell of Philada a very intelligent and credible person, made his Escape from New York about ten days ago. He informs that there were no troops upon Long Island but Delanceys Brigade, and not more than 1000 Men upon York Island, all the rest having joined the Army now in Jersey. And that Transports were gone up the sound to bring back the Troops from Rhode Island, in order to make a...
12From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your two favs. of the 30th last month reached me last Night. I cannot say, but I was a good deal surp[r]ized and disappointed at the contents. I never was very sanguine as to any thing more being effected than to oblige the Garrison of Fort Independance either to surrender or evacuate, and retire within the Island, as neither has been done, I wish your summons had never been sent, as I am...
13From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this time nearly, you must have discover’d what effect your movement towards New York has occasioned. If the City on the one Hand is not left so destitute of Troops as to afford you an easy conquest of it, nor so strengthened as to leave the Enemy weak in this State, the End of your expedition is not answered, and the junction of your Troops with these under my Command (after leaving...
14From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Letter is in addition to my public one of this date —It is to hint to you, and I do it with concern, that your conduct is censured (and by Men of sense and Judgment who have been with you on the Expedition to Fort Independance) as being fraught with too much caution, by which the Army has been disappointed, and in some degree disgraced. Your Summons, as you did not attempt to fulfil your...