Major General Robert Howe to George Washington, 22 June 1781
From Major General Robert Howe
West Point 22d June 1781
Dear Sir
The Inconvenien[c]e that must arise to Service by retarding the Works necessary to our taking the Feild, should the Artificers detaild from the Line march with their Regiments,1 has induc’d me to order them to remain until your Excellency’s Pleasure is known upon the Subject, which please give me by the Express Boat which I send on Purpose.2
your Orders respecting the Flag have been punctually complied with.
I believe your Excellency imagined that the Flag was here. but she was stopt by a standing Order of mine to the Officers of stony & Verplank’s Points some Miles below those Posts.3 I am Dear Sir with every Sentiment of Respect your Excellency’s most obedient
Robert Howe
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The entry for 13 June in an orderly book kept at West Point (9–29 June 1781) includes garrison orders that detailed nine artificers “from the line” (NHi). A garrison order for 19 June reads: “Some Officers have ventured to call in Men Detail’d for Fatigue, by which means disappointments happen in the Works—This is not to be repeated” (NHi). For the army’s march, see General Orders, 19 June.
2. GW replied to Howe from headquarters on this date: “I am favour’d with your Letter of this date; the Artificers you mention that have been drafted from the several Regiments will continue at the Point ’till further orders” (Df, in David Cobb’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
3. See GW to Howe, 21 June, found at Howe to GW, same date, n.3.