From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 November 1779
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters West point 25th Novemr 1779
Dear Sir
If the two Connecticut Brigades have crossed, be pleased [to] direct Colo. Hazen to follow as expeditiously as possible, if he is not already over. He may be directed to march without loss of time if the Virginia Division has moved, to Sufferans (by the new Road lately repaired by General Woodford which leaves Kakeate on his left) thence to Pompton and by Rockaway Bridge towards Morris town. Before he arrives at Morris town he will receive directions from General Greene for his further Route—Should the Virginia troops not have moved—Colo. Hazen will wait for that and follow immediately after. I am Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. Be pleased to direct Colo. Hazen, if he hears nothing further from me to join Genl Hands Brigade when he comes up with it.1
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Heath transmitted GW’s orders in a letter written to Col. Moses Hazen from “Camp Pecks kill” on this date (see MHi: Heath Papers; see also GW to Heath, 18 Nov., and Heath to GW, 26 Nov.).
Col. Samuel Wyllys wrote Heath on the same date, which was a Thursday: “Capt. Judd having this moment returned from the Virginia Camp Informs me, that they will begin their March tomorrow Morning.
“any Commands from General Heath will be attended to with the utmost punctuallity … P.s. having wrote the above in an Hurry I forgot to Inform that General Washington in his Letter desired to know the precise Time the Connecticut Line would be able to March from this place, they are now detained for the distribution of their Cloathing, and will be ready to March by Saturday next” (MHi: Heath Papers).
GW also wrote Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons from West Point on this date: “I wish You to inform me by the Return of the Express, who will deliver this, when the Connecticut Troops will be able to march with certainty. I wish they may be in a condition to do it as soon as possible. When I am informed of the time by your Answer—I will furnish you with Orders, that there may not be any delay afterwards” (LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, MHi: Norcross Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).