EBENEZER HAZARD* TO WILLIAM HEATH. To the Honorable Major General Heath. Kings Bridge. DEAR GENERAL,- Last evening I had the pleasure of seeing Major Huntingdon, from whom I learned that a Deputy Pay Master General was to be appointed for your division, and that Col. Palfrey had been pleased to recommend me for that purpose. It gave me great satisfaction to find my friends did not forget me, and I would with pleasure accept the office were I not under prior engagements to the Continent in a department of a different nature from and incompatible with the office of pay master. I have now the surveyorship of the Post Office, which requires me to visit the different parts of the Continent; and am on my way to Falmouth in Casco Bay in the execution of the duties of it. You see, therefore, my dear Sir, the necessity I am under of declining the offer of the pay master's office; but I doubt not you may easily procure a faithful person to undertake it: were I certain that Nicholas Fish, Esq', Brigade Major to General Scott, was sufficiently acquainted with accounts, I would confidently recommend him in the strongest terms; for in other respects he is well qualified, and for aught I know may be in this: it will be easy to make the enquiry, and if he is, I know not a young gentleman any where into whose hands I would so soon commit an office of such consequence. I am, dear General, y' most obedt hum1 servt. * Ebenezer Hazard was born in Philadelphia Jan. 15, 1744, and graduated at Princeton College in 1762. Removing to New York, he engaged in business, and was for several years a publisher and bookseller. On the rupture with the mother country he was appointed postmaster of New York, and afterward surveyor of the post roads and offices throughout the United States. His connection with the post-office lasted down to the organization of the general government under the Constitution, a period of fourteen years. He then returned to Philadelphia, and resumed a business career, but also took an active part in public affairs. He died in Philadelphia June 18, 1817. Two volumes of his correspondence with Jeremy Belknap, founder of the Historical Society, were published by this Society in 1877. — Eds. WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. WILLIAMS'S TAVERN, Jany 24th, 1777. DEAR GENERAL, of the 19th instant. In my last I informed your Excellency of our arrival in the neighbourhood of Fort Independence, and of our taking a number of arms. Instead of 15 at one place we took upwards of 40, and about as many blankets. I also mentioned in my last our intention of attacking the Hessians at the bridge the next day; every preparation was made and the troops ready for the attack, but a sudden change of the weather had so soften'd the ice, which was very weak before, as prevented our crossing the creek. I have received the honor of yours Yesterday afternoon we had a skirmish with a party which sallied from the fort; we had one ensign and one private kill'd and five wounded. It is supposed that we killed a number of the enemy, but as it was close to the fort we cannot tell how many. The enemy cannonaded briskly, but fortunately did us no harm. We have from the first morning of our arrival kept possession of the two works between the fort and Volintine's, which are almost within point blank shot of the fort. We are carrying off the forage, of which there are large quantities in this vicinity. At the expence of 100 dollars I sent a trusty intelligent man into the city three days ago. He returned on yesterday with the following intelligence; vizt, 100 men are posted at Harlem; they are of the 23rd 44th and 64 regts; that Gen' Agnaw's brigade lie between Fort Washington and the city, about 1,000 strong, and every third day send 130 men to Kingsbridge; that there are about two regiments of troops in the city; that a few recruits (short of 100) have lately arrived from Europe; that the Tories are very uneasy and wish their goods out of the city; that they apprehend we shall attempt to pass over Harlem River; General Kniphausen commands at Fort Washington, and has five battalions with him; that a fire broke out a night or two ago in the city which consumed several houses; that the inhabitants and soldiers are much dejected; that upon the appearance of our troops at Morrisania the enemy's guard on Montrasure's Island were struck with a panic, set fire to the house and barn and fled to New York, where three of them were put under guard; that General How and Agnaw rode to Kingsbridge the day before he left the city; that Lord Piercy was to land on our backs; that. provisions were scarce and dear, firewood more so, fivepounds p cord and scarcly obtainable; that they were pulling down the wooden houses to burn; that hay was. 14/hundred, their horses very poor and many of them. dead, &c. pay This day we have had a severe storm which has so raised Brunks's River that it is impassable by Williams's,. the water runing over the top of the bridge. We shall strict attention to your Excellency's directions in your last letter, but the river is so full of ice that it is difficult for boats to move at present; and it has been impossible. as yet to get them down from King's Ferry. I rather think that it may be done soon. I am yet in hopes of giving the enemy a blow here, if an oppertunity should offer. If the troops should be removed from this side the river, except what may be thought necessary for the security of the forts and passes in the Highlands, I beg your Excellency's permission to ride to New England,. for a short time. If it can be granted, consistant with the good of the service, as my own interest will be extremly injured if I do not between this and spring, having been constantly in the army ever since the morning of the 19th of April, 1775. However, I submit the matter to your Excellency's determination, and have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your Excellency's most humble servt. Gen' WASHINGTON. W. HEATH. WILLIAM HEATH TO THE COUNCIL OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.* GENTLEMEN, A considerable number of recruits enlisted into the 15 battalions raising by the State of Massachusetts Bay for Continental service, and destined to Tyconderoga, are rendezvous'd and rendezvousing in different towns in the State, and several regiments in the vicinity of the metropolis, the deficiency of arms and blankets (to say nothing of clothing) prevents their marching to a post where their imediate presence is absolutely necessary, as from its situation and present circumstances it may be said to be in too hazardous a condition. The moment any regiment or detachment is equiped I shall order them to march without the least delay; and in order to prevent any complaints or delays on account of subsistance on the march I have ordered stores to be opened on the road and the men to draw provisions, which I think will benefit both the publick and soldiery. It is with the deepest concern that I see the soldiery, who are rendezvousing in this neighbourhood and waiting * General Heath, having received permission to visit New England, in accordance with his request, left Peek's Kill February 12, 1777, and reached his home in Roxbury on the 19th. He started on his return to the camp March 14, "but before he had got to Watertown, an express overtook him with orders from Gen. Washington for him to take command of the Eastern Department; Gen. Ward having applied for eave to resign the command, meaning to retire from the service." Ward resigned March 20, and was succeeded by Heath, who retained the command until November 4, 1778, when General Gates took it. April 2, 1779, Gates went to Rhode Island, and the command at Boston again devolved on Heath, who held it for about two months, when he was ordered to join the main army. He left Boston June 11, and on the 23d "took the command of the troops on the east side of the Hudson, having in front all the outposts towards New York on that side of the river." See Heath's Memoirs, pp. 115, 116, 197, 203, 205. — Eds. for their equipments, spending their time and money in practises which tend to enervate and unfit them for the important business to which they are called by the publick, when they should be constantly employed, if not on their march, in those exercises without the knowledge of which men never can be soldiers. With respect to arms I flatter myself that the request of the Honble Board to his Excellency the General for a part of those lately arrived will be granted. Blankets are equally necessary, and I should be much obliged to the Honble Board for information whether any considerable numbers may be soon expected, either from the towns or otherwise. If there should be no prospect of a speedy supply to prevent the mispence of the time and money of the soldiery, if the barracks at Castle-Island or Noddle's Island are so warm as that the men can be comfortable in them without blankets, I should think they had better some of them be ordered there. But this I fear will be attended with some ill consequences to the service. I would also just observe that the time to which Colonel Dike's Regiment, (who now garrison the forts on Dorchester Heights and that on Fort Hill in this town, in each of which are ordnance and stores of considerable vallue) is engaged, expires in a few days. I must therefore request that a sufficient number of men, either from the militia or in such other way as the Board may think most expedient, may be seasonably destined to those posts. I shall endeavour to trouble the Honble Board as little as possible with the business of my own department, and I shall think myself happy if I can in any instance contribute to the interest of this my native State, for which I have the warmest affection. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your Honors' obedt servt. HEAD QUARTERS, BOSTON, March 25th 1777. Honble Council of the State of M. B. W. HEATH. |