From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 January 1781
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters New Windsor Janry 25th 1781
Dear Sir
I am much obliged to you for the account of the success of the Enterprize against Morrissania.1
Since the Troops under the command of Major General Parsons appear to be so much fatigued, I would advise to compleat the Detachment of Major Gen. Howe (if possible) from the Troops remaining in Camp, particularly from the Brigades on the East Side of the River; because these Men may be immediately replaced by those returning from the Enterprize: And perhaps by the address of General Parsons some Volunteers may be obtained from the last Mentioned Troops. At any rate the service is so pressing, that the Men should be marched for Pompton, as early as possible, from one Quarter or the other.2 You will be best able to determine from whence they can be sent,3 when you see General Parsons, which will be, I suppose, before the receipt of this Letter. I am Dear Sir With very great esteem Your Most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S: I shall set out for Ringwood (nothing happening to prevent it) tomorrow morning to act as circumstances may require.
Go: W.
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW wrote and signed the postscript on the LS.
Heath replied to GW from West Point on 26 Jan.: “I am honored with yours of yesterday, have written Major General Parsons, if possible to compleat a Battalion, and forward them to Join Major General Howe, and doubt not but it will be effected” (ALS, DLC:GW). Heath’s letter to Maj. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, and Parsons’s letter to Heath stating that he would “compleat the Battalion if in my power,” both dated 26 Jan., are in MHi: Heath Papers. For the arrival at Pompton, N.J., of the battalion, under the command of Maj. Amos Morrill, see Robert Howe to GW, 27 January.
1. See Heath to GW, this date.
2. GW discusses the detachment to suppress the New Jersey line mutiny (see his letter to Frederick Frelinghuysen, 21 Jan., n.2, and to Howe, 22 Jan.).
3. Humphreys inadvertently wrote “send” on the LS.