George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 February 1781

To Major General William Heath

Head Quarters New Windsor 22nd February 1781.

Dear sir

I have received your favor of the 20th1—inclosed you have Captain Smarts discharge bearing date the 1st instant.2

I am satisfied with the arrangments you have made below. As you have, I doubt not, taken care that there are men enough appointed to each work to secure it against a Coup de Main which is the only matter we have to apprehend at this season.

I have written to General Lincoln—to Colonel Shepherd at Springfield and to Lt Colonel Olney at providence to forward the Recruits of Massechusetts and Rhode Island.3 I have also mentioned the matter generally to Governor Trumbull4—You, I imagine, have given particular instructions of a similar nature to the Officers in Connecticut—If you have not done it, and in the most pointed terms, be pleased to repeat them.5 I am with great esteem Your most Obedient and Humble servant.

Go: Washington

LS, in William Colfax’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1. See Heath to GW, 20 February.

2. The discharge certificate for Capt. Thomas Smart has not been identified.

3. See GW to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 Feb., to Jeremiah Olney, same date, and to William Shepard, this date.

4. See GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 February.

5. Heath replied to GW on 24 February.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 February 1781
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Heath, William
    Date
    22 February 1781

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 February 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-30-02-0504. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 30, 1 January–6 March 1781, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022, pp. 570–571.]

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