TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, Kingsbridge. HAERLEM HEIGHTS, 9th Oct., 1776. DEAR SIR,Your letter of yesterday is before me, with the list enclosed; but this is doing the matter by halves only, and the delay must inevitably defeat the end, as it is impossible, from the nature of things, that the different governments can withhold the nomination of officers much longer. I therefore entreat you to delay not a moment's time in summoning the officers (under sanction from me) to consider of this matter, that the lists may be forwarded. The committee of Congress directed this. General Lincoln earnestly recommended it. Governor Trumbull has requested it in precise terms. In short, the good of the service, and our duty, render it necessary, let it be received in never so unfavorable a light (which, by the by, I do not conceive to be the case) by the States they are sent to. I think you would do well to consult the field officers with respect to the captains, &c. I beseech you once more to delay no time. And I beseech you to exhort the officers you consult to lay aside all local prejudices and attachments in their choice. The salvation of their country, and all we are contending for, depends (under Providence) upon a good choice of officers, to make this army formidable to the enemy and serviceable to the cause we are endeavoring to support. Men who have endeavored to support the character of officers, and who have not placed themselves upon a level with the common soldiery, are fit to be preferred. Officers of the latter class will never-in short, they cannot-conduct matters with propriety; but I need not point out the qualifications necessary to constitute a good officer: your own observations and good judgment will readily point out who are, and who are not, fit for the new appointment. I would have you confine yourself to the Massachusetts Bay officers. Enclosed, you have some lists handed in to me by General Greene, which may be attended to with the rest. Enclosed, also, you will receive the opinion and report of Colonel Knox and Colonel Putnam respecting our works of defence, which, so far as relates to your department, I shall have no objection to the execution of, with all possible despatch. Those on the island we will attend to. I have approved the sentences of the court, and desire you will order them to be executed. I am, with respect, your most obedient servant, TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. GO WASHINGTON. HAERLEM HEIGHTS, 11th Oct., 1776. DEAR SIR, -The ships which have got up the river with their tenders (and now two of our row-galleys) must be well attended to, or they may undertake something against our stores, craft, &c., at Spiten Devil. Delay no time, therefore, in having some work thrown up at the mouth of that creek for the defence of what lies within, and to prevent surprises. A small number of troops embarked on Long Island yesterday (behind Montresor's Island), and appeared to steer to the eastward. How far they went I know not. They were Hessians, and of those I saw not more than a hundred. It might not be amiss to inform General Lincoln of this, but in such a manner as to occasion a good look-out along the Sound without spreading an alarm. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, GO WASHINGTON. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. SIR,The uncertainty with respect to the designs of the enemy renders any disposition of our army at this time a little unsettled; but, for the present, your Division, with such troops as are now at Forts Constitution, Montgomery, and Independence, are to be under your command, and remain in this quarter for the security of the above posts and the passes through the Highlands from this place, and the one on the west side of Hudson's River. Colonel Tash's regiment is meant to be included in this command. Unnecessary it is for me to say any thing to evince the importance of securing the land and water communication through these passes, or to prove the indispensable necessity of using every exertion in your power to have such works erected for the defente of them as your own judgment, assisted by that of your Brigadiers and the Engineer, may shew the expediency of. To form an accurate judgment of the proper places to fortify, in order effectually to secure the two land passes above-mentioned through the Highlands, requires a considerable degree of attention and knowledge of the roads and ways leading through the hills. These you must get from information and observation, as my stay here will not allow me to give any direction on this head with precision. You will not only keep in view the importance of securing these passes, but the necessity of doing it without delay, not only from the probability of the enemy's attempting to seize them, but from the advanced season, which will not admit of any spade work after the frost (which may be daily expected) sets in. Lose not a moment's time, therefore, in choosing the grounds on the east and west side of the river, on which your intended works are to be erected. Let your men designed for each post be speedily allotted, and by your presence, and otherwise, do every thing to stimulate the officers (respectively commanding at each) to exert themselves in forwarding them. The cheapest kind of barracks must be erected, contig uous to these places, where no covering now is for the men. These may, I should think, be built of logs, and made warm at very little cost. In apportioning your inen to the different posts (those to be established, as well as those already fixed on the river), I advise your keeping the corps as much as possible together, and also desire that in this allotment you will consult your officers, and such gentlemen as have it in their power (from their superior knowledge of the country) to afford you good advice. Independent of the barracks, which may be found necessary for the men at the posts before-mentioned, I should think others ought to be built at such places in this neighborhood as the Quartermaster-General and Engineer shall point out, as this must, from the nature of it, be considered in an important point of view, and as well adapted for winter quarter for part of the army as any other place can be. If, contrary to the general received opinion, General Howe's remove to Dobbs's Ferry was only intended as a feint to draw off part of our force from the place which we last occupied, and should [he] make an attempt upon General Lee, you are to give him all the aid you can, taking care at the same time to keep guard in the posts and passes you occupy. For the speedy and regular punishment of officers, you are hereby authorized and empowered, whilst you remain in a separate camp, to hold general courts-martial, and carry the judgments of them into execution in all cases whatsoever. Be particularly careful of all intrenching tools, tents (seeing that the bottoms of them are not covered with dirt), and above all take care that no discharged soldier is suffered to carry away any of the public arms or accoutrements. Apply to the Commissary of stores for a list of those things furnished to the respective Colonels of regi ments, and see that they account for them before the men are dismissed. In like manner should every thing had of the Quartermaster-General be delivered up. Keep persons employed in making of cartridges, and be particularly attentive that the stores are taken care of, and the powder kept from receiving damage. Also prevent the soldiery from committing any kind of waste and injuries to private or public property. The men which composed the detachment under Colonel Lasher are all to join their respective corps immediately. Given at Headquarters, at Peekskill, this 12th day of Nov., 1776. GO WASHINGTON. To the Hon. MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH, at White Plains. GENERAL GREENE'S QUARTERS, DEAR SIR, As an exchange of prisoners is likely to take effect as soon as the circumstances of the case will admit, and as in the course of the transaction it may possibly happen that an attempt may be made by the enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession who were never engaged in our service, I must request you to direct the colonels or commanders of regiments in your division immediately to make out an exact list of the particular officers and privates who have been killed, taken prisoners, or are missing, in the respective regiments and companies to which they belonged, specifying the names of the whole, and the time when each officer and soldier was killed, taken prisoner, or was missing. The list, as soon as it is completed, you will transmit to headquarters. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, GO WASHINGTON. |