any substituted by you, to impress them. If they can be procured immediately by hiring, it would be better; but, if not, I beg you will take the most early means to send them down by impressing them. They must be had at all events. If there is a possibility of procuring boats for Haerlem River, it shall be done. I am, sir, your humble servant, GO WASHINGTON. To the HON. MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, near Kingsbridge. NEW YORK, Sept. 6th, 1776. DEAR SIR, The present posture of our affairs, the season of the year, and many other reasons which might be urged, render it indispensably necessary that some systematic plan should be formed, and as far as possible pursued, by us. I therefore desire that immediately upon receipt of this letter you will let Generals Mifflin and Clinton know that I desire to see them, with you, at this place (headquarters), at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Let them know (which may be done by showing them each this letter) the business they are called together for, in order that their thoughts may be turned as much as possible to the subject. It might be well for neither of you to mention your coming hither (lest, if the enemy should have notice of the generals being absent from their posts, some advantages might be taken of it), but it will be very proper to leave directions with the next officers in command, in case an enemy should appear, what they are to do, that no confusion may arise. I am, dear sir, your most obedient, GO WASHINGTON. P. S. Do not fail to bring exact returns of the two brigades with you, and the two Jersey regiments at Fort Washington; a perfect knowledge of our strength being indispensably necessary to the determining upon any plan. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, at Kingsbridge. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, DEAR SIR,-I have lately received information (on which I can, in some measure, rely) that it is impracticable for carriages to pass from Haerlem Point, or any of the landing-places contiguous to it, towards Kingsbridge, any other way than along the public roads. I should therefore conceive it would be highly expedient to throw every impediment and obstruction in the ways leading from the above-mentioned places, as also in the roads leading from Morrisania and Delancy's Mills, and indeed any other which you conceive there is a probability of the enemy's making use of, in order to prevent, or at least delay them, in the conveyance of their artillery. In some places, it may be necessary to fell trees across the roads; in others, I would recommend deep pits to be dug; in short, I must request you will have them broke up and destroyed in such a manner as to render them utterly impassable. N. B. I mean those roads within your district leading from Kingsbridge down to the points on which it is supposed the enemy will land. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, GO WASHINGTON. P. S. As the money is now arrived, you will order to be delivered in all the pay abstracts for July and August. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, Kingsbridge. NEW YORK, Sept. 13th, 1776. DEAR SIR,- Before this letter can reach you, the brigade under Colonel Chester's command no doubt has reached you; but, unless more assistance of waggons and teams are sent, I cannot undertake to say when you will get a further reinforcement. Let me entreat, therefore, that General Clinton and yourself will exert yourselves in getting, by impressment or otherwise, a parcel of teams to come to our assistance. The brigades which I mean to send to you are these following, and which I mention, that your disposition of them may be thought of in time, taking into consideration that Shea's, Magaw's, and Haslett's will return to their former station at Mount Washington, under the immediate command of their old brigadier, Mifflin; but, in lieu of these regiments, it is possible, when we get removed from hence, you may get an equivalent number: I must also beg that you will have the vessels that go up with stores, &c., immediately despatched back to this place. You cannot conceive how we are put to it for conveniences to transport the sick, the stores, the baggage, &c. In short, we are hazarding every thing in a confused way. Let there be the more vigilant look-out kept. You knew, I suppose, that four more ships, two of them forty odd guns, are gone up the East River. I am your most obedient servant, GO WASHINGTON. The waggons, some of which have taken [the] sick, contrary to orders, are to be sent back immediately. We shall want every waggon here. Reinforcements are marching to me. Sept. 14th, 1776. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, Kingsbridge. HEADQUARTERS, COLONEL MORRIS's, Some advices lately received from Paulus Hook have made it necessary that Colonel Williams's regiment should march to that post as a reinforcement to Colonel Durkee. It will be proper, therefore, they should be immediately put in motion towards Mount Washington, where they are Your humble servant, to cross. GO WASHINGTON. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. HEADQUARTERS, COLONEL MORRIS'S, SIR, -I have now your letter of September 18th before me, and cannot say that I by any means approve of your proposal of sending artillery to annoy the frigate and the enemy's batteries on Montresor's Island: in my opinion, it would only endanger the loss of our cannon and waste our ammunition, without answering any one good or salutary purpose. With respect to the sick, I am as much afflicted at their situation as you or any other person can possibly be, and have taken every step in my power to prevent it. I have furnished money to officers chosen by the commanders of different regiments, for the purpose of providing suitable and proper accommodations for the convalesceut; and, as to the others, I have this morning spoke to Doctor McKnight on the subject, and have recommended in the strongest manner to him to fall upon every method the nature of the case will admit of for their relief; and I request you will give him every assistance in your power towards effecting this salutary end. I have ordered over to you Parsons's, Scott's, and Sergent's brigades, to which will be added Colonel Ward's regiment; and Haslet's, Shea's, McGaw's, and Atlee's battalions are to come to this place: you will post these brigades in the most advantageous manner. For the present, I do not conceive you are in any great danger of being attacked on that quarter, as I have received intelligence that the enemy have drawn over their principal force to this island. I am, sir, your humble servant, TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, Kingsbridge. GO WASHINGTON. COLONEL MORRIS'S AT HAERLEM, DEAR SIR, I should be glad if you would order General Saltonstall to draw as much powder as will complete his militia to about fifteen or eighteen rounds a man; as also lead, if they have it not; and cartridge paper, that they may make their own cartridges. At the same time, let him know, and desire him to impress it strongly upon the minds of his men, that they must account for every. load which is not used in action. Be so good as to request, in my name, General Clinton's attendance at headquarters with you at nine o'clock this forenoon, on the business I mentioned to you yesterday. I am, sir, your most obedient, Go WASHINGTON. |