Major General William Heath to George Washington, 25 April 1781
From Major General William Heath
West point April 25th 1781
Dear General
Colonel Scammell, returned with me the last evening from Head-Quarters,1 I find by Some expressions, his great desire to Serve in the Light Infantry this Campaign, he Observed that no Field Officer during the War, had been taken from the New Hampshire Line to serve in that Corps, I sincerely wish if agreable to your Excellency, and it can be effected with out inconvenience, that Colonel Scammell may be gratified. If Lt Colonel Barber has not already returned to the Light Infantry,2 I think it probable he may Consent to give up in favor of Colonel Scammell.3 I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excellencys most Obedient Servant
W. Heath
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers. Heath wrote “Private” on the docket of his draft.
1. For Heath’s visit to GW’s headquarters at New Windsor on 24 April, see his letter to GW, 21 April, n.6.
2. For Lt. Col. Francis Barber, see Lafayette to GW, 12 April.
3. For GW’s likely reply, see the final sentence in his letter to Heath, 27 April. Col. Alexander Scammell’s request also may have been discussed when Heath met GW on 26 April (see Heath to GW, 23 April, source note).
Scammell eventually joined the Light Infantry (see General Orders, 16 July and 15 Aug.).