From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 18 September 1779
To Major General Robert Howe
Head Quarters West Point 18th Sepr 1779
Dear Sir
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 16th1 Was there occasion for you to remain near Croton, I should think any position, advanced beyond that River, ineligible: But as I am now induced to beleive that the Report of a french Fleet’s being bound for this Coast, is without foundation, I think you may as well march immediately back with Glovers and Nixon’s Brigades to Lower Salem, or to the position a few Miles below, which you proposed to take for the convenience of foraging to more advantage.2
Be pleased to inform me of your arrival at your new post. I am Dear Sir Yrs &c.
I recd yours of the 12th 14th and 15th.3
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW enclosed this letter in his letter of this date to Maj. Gen. William Heath.
1. This letter has not been found.
2. On 19 Sept., Howe wrote to Heath from Bedford, N.Y., reporting his arrival at his new position: “I have in obedience to orders retired to this place upon a Hill in the rear of which I shall remain untill I hear from his Excellency again. The Post is very defensible & commanding, covers several avenues into the Country, & has Roads in its rear by which Retreat may be effected when necessary, & is not farther from Mandevilles tha[n] the Post I was at before. If however upon farther examination any objections to it are discover’d I shall resume my former station on Keelers’ Hill” (MHi: Heath Papers). Heath’s headquarters was at Mandeville’s in Dutchess County, N.Y. (see Map 3).
3. These letters have not been found.