1. Maj. Gen. William Heath had written Capt. Daniel Niven from West Point on 6 March: “As the River will very Soon be clear of Ice and the Season arrive when it will be necessary to lay the Chain across the River I wish to be informed immediately in what forwardness you are with the Logs &c. for the purpose I have ordered Some Carpenters and Fatigue men to Your assistance if any thing further is necessary let me know it and please to have every thing in readiness, with all Possible expidition” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Niven replied to Heath from Newburgh, N.Y., on 7 March: “I have your favour of yesterday. one Sergt one Corpl twelve fatugu men and two Carpenter arrived. twelve fatugu men more could be employed to great advantage.

“All the timber for the rafts are at the river two miles north of this place. After great deficuties occationed by the want of teams. The Carpenters and fatugu party are constantly on the works when the weather permises.

“Have made several aplications during the winter to the Quarter Master Genl and his Deputies for twenty barrels pitch and tar a Quantity of Iron &c. to be delivered by the first of this Inst. to compleat the rafts.

“The Iron are not yet arrivd—The pitch and tar are in Albany. am inform’d its not to be here till the river are clear of ice to bring the same by water—If therefore said articles are not here in six days time the works most in Quancequance stope—If the Iron work, the pitch and tar are furnished without stoping the work and the weather favourable—Exspect to lay the Chain across the river” no later than 21 March (MHi: Heath Papers; see also GW to Heath, 27 Feb., and n.4 to that document). Hugh Hughes, deputy quartermaster general of New York, had included a paragraph in a letter to Heath written at Fishkill, N.Y., on 27 Feb.: “The Boats for floating the Chain are in Repair, and Junk & Oakum sent over for Calking the Logs, and every other Thing doing that the Season & Circumstances will permit” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Difficulties delayed the laying of the defensive chain across the Hudson River. Richard Platt, deputy quartermaster general of the main army, concluded his letter to Heath written from Newburgh on 7 March: “For want of Iron & Tar I am apprehensive the Logs will not be in floating Condition till the first of April. Our Dependence on the former is built on some at Stirling lately contracted for, which will be got on immediately: but the latter must come from Albany as there is none to be obtained short of that place—this cannot reach us untill the River opens” (MHi: Heath Papers). Heath replied to Platt from West Point on 8 March that because “the Season is uncommonly moderate it will be necessary to Lay the Chain across the River Sooner than usual, I therefore request that the Iron, Tar, and whatever else may be wanting for the Logs may be procured without a moments loss of time the river will be very Soon, if it is not already open to Albany” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also Heath to Hughes, same date, MHi: Heath Papers).

Platt again wrote Heath from Newburgh on 11 March to explain that “Colonel Hughes had previously sent to Albany for some Tar to be transported by Land to the first Landing where the River was open, and thence by water—All the Teams which could be rais’d were put in Motion 4 Days since to Stirling for Iron. In Consequence of the Measures taken by Colonel Hughs to get down the Tar, I have been so fortunate to borrow three Barrels on promise of it’s being replaced out of the first that arrives—This will I hope, keep the Ship Carpenters at work untill more can be had—The moment the Iron comes to Hand the necessary work for the Chain will have preference to all others, & if more Smiths than are now employed here, can be of service, they shall attend” (MHi: Heath Papers). When he wrote Heath from Newburgh on 18 March, Platt reported “the Arrival of the Tar and Iron—wood is the Article now most wanted—a sloop has been sent up the River more than a week since for it, but has not yet returned—’Tis probable, I am of Opinion, that the Iron work and Boats will be ready before the Logs are sufficiently dried—every Exertion is using by Captain Niven and his Demands claim early and immediate Attention.” Platt added a postscript: “Capt. Niven has made me acquainted this day that the Artificers are obliged to do fatigue Duty for want of more fatigue men—I must beg twenty men to be sent him as soon as convenient” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Heath, still at West Point, also wrote Platt on 18 March: “Capt. Niven who is preparing the Logs for the Chain, has this moment informed me, that a part of the Iron Which was to have been done at Newburgh, can not at present on account of the want of Coal, and that he has Sent the Iron to this place as the Smiths must be Idle at Newburgh without Coal, and as it is of the highest importance that the Chain be put down without loss of time, I would advise that as many Smiths as can be Spared be Sent immediately to the Shop here and employed untill the Chain is Compleated, Capt. Niven informs me that the Logs will be delayed on account of the want of Firewood, to dry them, I wish every Possible aid may be afforded him, an additional Fatigue will be Sent him tomorrow—please have Such a number of Boats in readiness as may be wanted for laying down the Chain. … P.S. I will thank you for the Prussian Instructions by the first safe conveyance” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Platt replied to Heath from Newburgh on Monday, 19 March: “I have received your’s of the 18th by Capt. Niven—In Obedience to your wish, I have ordered four Smiths to be sent to the Point, to work under the Direction of the Superintendant of Blacksmiths.

“When I addressed you Yesterday, I requested a Number of Fatigue men might be sent to assist Capt. Niven, and relieve the Artificers, who were detained for want of others—A sense of Duty urged me to tha⟨t⟩ Desire, as the Artificers were so extre⟨mely⟩ wanted at Fishkill—I was happy this day to be informed, that a Number of men had been sent for the purpose I wished: but notwithstanding, as Capt. Niven asked the Continuance of the Artificers I was going to send away, I consented to their tarrying, untill their services could be dispensed with, with propriety. … I expect to be at the Point on thursday & shall bring your King of Prussia along—I shall know the state of the Boats previous to coming down” (MHi: Heath Papers). Heath’s book was Military Instructions, Written by the King of Prussia, for the Generals of his Army: Being His Majesty’s own Commentaries On his former Campaigns … (London, 1762); see also GW’s second letter to James Clinton, 19 Dec. 1780, n.1.

Heath again wrote Platt from West Point on 21 March 1781: “Your favors of the 18th and 19th Came to hand yesterday, I am happy to hear that the Tar and Iron have arrived, I am apprehensive that with every exertion in our power, it will now be late before the Chain is put down. …

“Capt. Nevin has had every assistance which he has requested as far as was in my Power” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Platt replied to Heath from Newburgh on 22 March: “Yesturday I received your’s of that date I am of your Opinion with Respect to the laying down the Chain, that it will require a considerable Time notwithstanding the greatest Exertions—Nothing now seems to be wanting but the Logs to be well seasoned, and I have not a Doubt but his Excellency will give them as much Time as the public safety will admit.

“I am this moment advis’d by Colonel Hughs that there are 28 flat Boats & Batteaux in repair at Wappen’s Creek & more hastening with great Expedition—Capt. Niven has had some days since an Order for his Complement—as soon as which is answered, any number required by you for the service of your Command, will be forwarded as fast as practicable—two whale Boats will be fitted & sent to the point very shortly.

“Disappointed in going to the Point myself & uncertain when an Opportunity of sending your Prussian Instructions by any Officer of the point, I take the Chance of inclosing the Book to you, with a Request to Genl Hand to send it by the first Conveyance, and wish it safe to hand.

“An Exertion is to be made immediately to draw in from Ringwood all the flour & stores of other Kinds—The extreme Badness of the Roads will render this very difficult I am apprehensive” (MHi: Heath Papers). For the laying of the chain across the Hudson River, see Heath to GW, 11 April, and n.2.