heart. He afterwards rose to the chief command of the
artillery, and was deservedly high in public estimation
throughout the war.

General Heath was ordered, on the niofht of the 23d of
November, 1775, with a detachment to^Cobble's-hill, to
complete the works begun the preceding evening by a
fatigue party under General Putnam. A sufficient force
was sent by General Ward to protect them against moles-
tation from the enemy. The spirit of opposition to un-
just aggression was general. Its rapid spread inspirited
the incipient characters of the revolution, and a most
heart-felt cheerfulness pervaded all ranks to brav^e tlie im-
pending storm.

Remaining at his station on Cobble's-hill, and partici-
pating in its toils, fatigues, and dane;ers, he was detailed
on the 18th of December, with a body of 300 men, to
liCechmore Point, to prosecute a work which had been
commenced there by his friend General Putnam, whom
he was sent to relieve, within half a mile of a hostile ship
of war. An eighteen pounder, which had been fired at
this vessel by direction of the captain of artillery, from
Cobble's-hill, which Heath had just left, compelled the
enemy to weigh anchor and proceed beyond the reach of
anticipated danger ; otherwise the prosecution of those
works would have been attended with bloody conse-
quences, to alleviate which the surgical department at-



498 GLORY OF AMERICA.

tendino- the American coi-ps had heen particularly atten-
tive. While the work was going on. General Heath had
pouited out to liis men how to act, so as to receive the
least possible injury from shells or cannon shot from the
enemy's floating batteries in ihe adjacent waters. The
anticipated shells and cannon shot were fruitlessly dis-
charo:ed. the witnessing of which induced the enemy to
discontinue them. Heath was relieved, as Putnam had
been, and his corps retired from the position unmjured
and unmolested. . .

The grand arm.y continued in the vicinity of Boston,
occasionally skirniishing with the enemy, until the fol-
lowing 3Iarch, 1776. The defensive works, which had
been thrown up, during this period, were of much ser-
vice. The conduct of the Americans was directed with
so much vigour and spirit, that General Gage, with the
British garrison, vvas oblis:ed to evacuate Boston on the
17th of 'March. In their retreat, they destroyed all their
munitions of war which were likely to be of service to
the Americans. Among other acts of destruction, they
blcAv up Castle Wilham, and destroyed their barracks, and

other buildings.

On the 20th of March, General Heath was despatched
to Xew-York, with the troops under General Putnam,
destined for the defence of that important position. Du-
rincr his stay in New-York, General Heath was inoculated
with the small pox. The defences of New- York were
rapidly proceeding. The unfavourable news of the ter-
mination of General ^Iontgomery"s expedition against
Quebec, spread a partial gloom over the Americans.
But this was. for some time, considerably diminished by
the news of the favourable disposition of the inhabitants
of that quarter of the continent.

About the latter end of June, a plot was discovered lor
the destruction of the Americans, and General ^^ ashing-
ton was to have been enveloped in their general fate.
The mayor of tliat city, a gunsmith, and some foreign-
ers belono-incr to the sfuard of the commander-in-chief,
were arrested on suspicion. This afl'air terminated with
the death of one Hickey, belonging to the general's guard.



WILLIAM HEATH.



4^9



Preparations of defence were vigorously made, in conse-
quence of the expected daily arrival of General Howe
with a large hostile force. On the 29th of June a council
of war was held. On the 30th the General-in-chief's lady
left that city, and on the 2d of July the British fleet an-
chored in the waters of New- York Bay. On the 9th of
the same month the Declaration of Independence was read
at the head of the several brigades forming the American
garrison, and received with "the greatest eclat. Durmg
the sickness, which prevailed hi the American camp m
AuoTist following, General Heath's brigade lost their full
portion. On the llth of this month, Generals Spencer,
Greene, Sullivan and Heath, respectively received from
Congress commissions as major-generals, dated the 9th of
the same month.

After his promotion, the command of the troops posted
above King's-bridge, and of all troops and stations on the
north end of York Island, was given him. On his way
thither, he witnessed an attempt to destroy some enemy's
vessels in the neighbouring waters, by fire-ships, which,
had it not been fof the inactivity of some of the American
row o-allevs, would have produced the most serious conse-
quences. ' This caused the British shipping to proceed
lower down the Hudson. While they were effecting this
obiect, so necessary for their safety, they were briskly can-
nonaded from Fort Washinorton and the works below
They joined the fleet lying off Staten Island on the 18th Oi
Auonst. having sustained no material injury m passing the
American batteries. The next day General Heath was
advised of the intentions of the British by an express from
the Commander-in-chief. .

While the main body of the enemy were engaged ni
active operations on Long Island, a brig and two ships
anchored a little above Throg Point ; General Heath de-
tached Colonel Graham v/ith his regiment, to prevent any
of their crews from landing. Several barges, however,
had proceeded to New City Island, on which several per-
sons debarked. Two companies were despatched Irom
the reo-iment to the island. But the enemy made good
their retreat to the shippina:, carrying off only one mai^



^^^ GLORY OF AMERICA.



and fourteen cattle. The rest of the stork nn th. ^ j
was secured. NVhile this petty warLT^ts ^o n. n^^^
this quarter, on the same rln.^ titl i l ^?"^^ ^^ ^"
Flatbush was fLr7]?f f 1 ^' ^^'^ celebrated battle of
tTni A J^^'^' ^^^^^^^^ eventuated in the defe^^t nf

of his station ; but notwithstanding the' exertion tfl
utmost skill and assiduity, the Ame'ricans w!l ^"

santi, harassed as to md'uce ^Z^l^^^^^
hold a council of vrar, at which General Heath assisld

Wmmmm

mmms

hundredandei" tsick ab ent if ^- P'"'!"'' ^"'"^ ^'"-^^
of si. thousand AreT^^/ntda!:i:S|.:,^r^^' '""''

ec^e<i, he demised a plan for carrying off some Bri-



WILLIAM HEATH. 501

tish with their baggage, who were remaining on Montre-
fore Island. He submitted it to a council of officers of his
division, who concurred with him in sentiment. The plan
was likewise approved by Major-General Putnam, who
was then Commander-in-chief. In consequence of this,
every arrangement was made, and two hundred and forty
men sent oif in three boats, covered by a detachment of
artillery in a fourth boat. The field officers in the first
boat with their men, made good their landing ; but the
officers commanding the other two, causing their men to
lie on their oars, leaving the first boat to do the duty de-
signed for tlie Vv^iole corps, the intention was frustrated,
and the detachment were compelled to return with the
loss of Major Henley, aid-de-carnp to General Heath,
killed, and fourteen privates killed, wounded, and missing.
During this month, the various movements, debarkations,
and skirmishing of the British, gave the General full em-
ployment, and in a very eminent degree called forth all
the energies both of his body and mind.

According to thi order of General Washington, Major-
General Charles Lee arrived in camp on the 14th of Oc-
tober, to supersede General Putnam. Lee was directed to
remain a day or two in camp, a!nd make himself ac-
quainted v.nth the routine of duty, which was to devolve
on him, before he assumed the command : and with this
desire he accordingly complied. Every day was now big
with events every preparation every movement of the
British, indicated their design to attack ; Vv^hile every exer-
tion of the Americans was directed to defensive operations.

A skirmishing took place near Westchester Causeway,
between the British, and a regiment of General Heath's
division, supported by four other regiments, who partici-
pated therein, in which the latter lost between thirty and
forty killed and wounded. The loss of the British was
considerable. Having removed from the vicinity of Kings-
bridofe, the American army, after leaving a garrison in
Fort Washington, took a position at "Whiteplains. General
Heath posted his division on strong and commanding
ground north of the Court house, and was left on the line.
A smart affair now took place between the contending



502 - GLORY OF* AMERICA.

parties, in which the generaVs division participated the
American loss was small ; but the British gained an ad-
vantage in position. Fort Independence, commanded by-
Colonel Lesher, and garrisoned by his regiment, was eva-
cuated, the cannon and stores having been previously
taken away, and the barracks and huts destroyed. On
the 31st, at night, the Americans abandoned their position
on the plains, which wns occupied the next day by the
British, and a furious cannonade commenced on Heath's
division. His artillery, under Bryant and Jackson, briskly
returned the fire. This affair terminated in a matter of
little importance to either party. General Heath continued
with his division, changing positions, day after day, as
circumstances required. It formed the left of the grand
army, in consequence of which he had no opportunity to
display either talents or abilit}^ but a promptitude in obe^r-
ing and alacrity in discharging the orders of his superiors.
On the 9th of November, after the capture of Fort Wash-
ington, this division halted at North Castle, on its march
to Peekskill, from Whitepiains, whither it had been or-
dered, and the next day it reached the object of its desti-
nation. On the 12tli, General Heath accom.panied General
Washington, in taking a view of the fortifications at the
Highlands and the passes which led throus^h them. In-
structions in waiting v/ere, accordingly^ given to the Gene-
ral from the Commander-in-chief, to secure, with all pos-
sible expedition, all the posts on both sides of the river,
and to distribute his force as circumstances might require,
while General W ashington passed into New Jersey. The
next day, these orders were put into execution. ' On the
16th, Fort Washington was taken, by vv^hich two thousand
of the Americans were made prisoners. General Wash-
ington was a spectator of the scene from Fort Lee, without
being able to render it any assistance-.

On the 18th, the BritishJ elated with their success, passed
the Hudson, into New Jersey, above Fort Lee, the garri-
son of which abandoned it; and some cannon, stores, and
provisions, which could not be timely removed, of course,
fell into their hands.

General Lee, having been made acquainted, through



WILLIAM HEATH. 503

General Reed, of the disasters, whicli thickened on the
Americans, wrote to General Heath, requesting him to
order a Brigadier-General and two thousand men to pass
to the west side of the Hudson opposite to his station, and
that he would replace them the next day. Although Lee
was Heath's senior, he refused to comply with the request,
because his instructions were positive Lee re-iterated
the request, and Heath again refused ; this altercation
terminated in Lee's assuming the command on the spot
as senior officer, and directing, through his own Deputy
Adjutant-General, Colonel Scammel, Prescott's and AVyl-
lis's regiment, for the object of his wishes, giving at the
same time a certificate, that he (Lee) was commanding
officer at the time of writing, and that he assumed all
responsibility. Notwithstanding this, Lee did not put the
order into execution, and passed into New Jersey v^'ithout
them.

On the 6th of December, General Heath was informed,
that seventy vessels of Vv-ar and transports, with troops, had
arrived in Long Island Sound, from England, on the 4th
of the same month. This information he communicated
to General Washington, by express.

On the 10th, in consequence of orders from head-quar-
tern. General Heath caused a brigade of his division to pass
to the west side of the Hudson, and on the day following
he crossed the same river, having ordered the detention of
a flag from the enem.y, until further orders. It was not
permitted to return until the 24th. During the remainder
of this month, this division occasionally performed some
hostile operations, which, though of minor importance,
kept them in continual motion, and considerably embar
rassed the enemy.

Immediately after the capture of the Hessians at Tren
ton, and the battle of Princeton, which General Washing-
ton communicated to General Heath, in the beginning of
January, 1777, he v/as ordered to move his force towards
Nev/-York, to impress a belief on the enemy, that that city
was the object of his attention, retaining for this purpose
four thousand militia, and sending the remainder of his
force, v/ith General Lincohi, to Morristown, as a reinforce-



504 GLORY OF AMERICA.

ment to the ^aiid army. The object of this feint was to
afford the enemy an opportunity of facihtating their retreat
from ISew Jersey, through which they w^ere rapidly retro-
grading, in consequence of the affair at Trenton and
Princeton.

Li pursuance of those orders, the General was engaged
successfully in carrying them into execution until the 10th
of March, when he obtained leave of absence from the
Commander-in-chief, for a short period, to visit his family.
While he was on his return, he received an express from
General Washinofton, investino^ him with the command oi
the Eastern department, in consequence of the resignation
of General Ward. He immediately retraced his steps to
Boston, and assumed the duties inctimbent on him in that
station, on the 20th of March, the day of General Ward's
solicited retirement.

According to instructions from the Commander-in-chief,
eiofht reg-iments from Massachusetts were ordered for
Peekskill, and seven for Ticonderoga. In the latter end
of May, an express from Governor Trumbull of Cbnnecti-
cut, announced the death of General Wooster, and the
burning of Fairfield. In the beginning of May, General
Heath, accompanied by General Du Coudray, an officer
of much experience in the French army, took a survey of
the fortiiicsiions and defences of Boston and its vicinity
The latter gave it as his opinion, that the British had left
the town when there was no danger, as it was capable of
holding out against an army of fifty thousand men.

The active duties of so important a station occupied the
General's attention incessantly ; while he was sometimes
elated, sometimes depressed, according to the nature of the
intelliofence which he had received. But he never de-
spaired. -The events of this year were considerably
checkered ; but the prospect of a war between France
and England, the indirect assistance received from that
court prior to that event, and the capture of Burgopie by
General Gates, instilled the strongest hopes in the bosoms
of the Americans, that the struggle in which they were
engaged, vrould ultimately be successful.

A most gallant achievement was performed by Colonel



I



WILLIAM HEATH. 605

Barton, of Providence, in evading the British guards, and
carrying awa^- from his head-quarters on Rhode Island.
the British Major-General, Prescott. This successful en-
terprise was productive of much good to the American
cause. About the latter end of Aufrust, the celebrated
Count Pulaski, who afterwards gallantly fell at the siege
(,f Savannah, was introduced to General Heath, at Boston.
Four hundred prisoners, captured by General Stark, at
Bennington, arrived at the head-quarters of the Eastern
department, on the 5th of September. In consequence of
the defeat of the Americans at Brandy wine. Colonel Lee's
regiment marched on the 2d of October to join the main
army

The capture of Burgoyne was celebrated at Boston on
the 23d of this month with much eclat. The destination
of the captured army being Boston, greatly added to the
duties of the General of this department. He, however,
niade every exertion for tlie comfortable accommodation
of the officers and men committed to his charge, and, at
the same time, was peculiarly attentive to the wants as
well as to the discipline of the soldiers under his imme-
diate care.

The accommodation of the captured army, in Boston,
amazingly increased the duties of the Quarter-master's
department in this quarter. The barracks on Prospect and
Winter hills were put in order, and every other measure
adopted, to render the situation of the prisoners as com-
fortable as possible.

General Burgoyne arrived at Cambridge with his suite,
on the 7th of November, where he was received by the
Commander-in-chief of the Eastern department, to whose
care he and his army had been committed for safe keep-
ing, according to the articles of capitulation. Burgoyne
was invited by General Heath to dine with him next
day in Boston, accompanied by Major-Generals Phillip!
and the German Baron Reidefel, for which purpose the^
were escorted by an American officer, one of the General's
aids-de-camp. Notwithstanding both sexes thronged the
streets, windows, and tops of houses, nay even fences, to
satiate their curiosity, in beholding- the captive generals,
43



9tJ6 GLORY OF AMERICA.

no insult whatever was given no disgraceful hissings, no
languasfe hurtful to the feelings of a fallen foe. Their
respectable demeanour was such as to extort the language
of praise from Burgo-\Tie. who assured General Heath,
that in a reverse of circumstances, a similar jumiber of
American officers could not have appeared in the streets
of the metropolis of Great Britain, without being treated,
by a mob. with indignity and insult.

A new scene of difficulty now arose, which in a peculiar
manner called forth the exercise of prudence and resolu-
tion. On their arrival at Boston, the captive officers were
to siofii their respective paroles. General Burgoyne efiected
to avoid a comphance with this article of the capitulation,
under different pretexts. A correspondence between him
and General Heath ensued on the occasion. The conduct
of the latter was not censured by Burgopie, and Congress
was pleased with it. That body passed a resolve, dated
Sth of November, directing General Heath to cause the
name, age, rank, size, occupation, and former place of
abode, of the non-commissioned officers, privates, and other
persons of the captive army, to be forwarded to the board
of war. with authenticated copies of the signed paroles of
the officers. The paroles, however, were not signed until
the 2.5th of November.

This affair havmg been settled by a compliance of the
captives with the articles of convention, General Burgonie
mvolved himself m new difficulties respecting his person-
al embarkation, in which he was not supported by Adnii-
ral Howe. Burgoyne did not think that he was treated
with that respect^ due to his rank by an expression of Ge-
neral Heath, in a letter, on the subject of the embarkation
of the troops, on board of transports, from Boston harbour,
as he had supposed that he was entitled to a passage on
board a frigate, which, he msisted, ought to be permitted
to enter that harbour for the purpose, protected by a flag
of truce. General Heath informed him. that if the arti-
cles of capitulation with General Gates warranted such a
construction, his right should not be withheld ; but if not,
that any attempt to obtain such an indulgence would be
fruitless.



WILLIAM HEATH. 507

A resolve of Congress was passed on the 8th of Janua-
ry, 1778, suspending the embarkation of the troops until
the convention should be ratified by the British cabinet ;
hence the affair of the frigate was put to rest, General
Heath having transmitted to Congress the correspondence
on that subject.

During this, a package of letters, intended to be sent to
General Howe, was sent to General Heath for inspection.
Nothing in General Burgoyne's personal correspondence
formed matter of remark, but one from Colonel Kingston
to Lord Harcourt contained such remarks from a captive
officer as warranted its detention, and subjected Burgoyne
to some censure, l^ecause of its envelopment in his pack-
age.

In misfortune, Burgoyne betrayed a restless spirit, as he
found fault with every thing, and cavilled at the most in-
significant trifles. Colonel Henley, who was the immedi-
ate commanding officer at Cambridge, had caused a pri-
soner to be chastised for personal insolence towards him-
self Burgoyne, instead of concurring in a measure,
which, in all well organized armies, was necessary for the
preservation of discipline and order, preferred a complaint
against the Colonel, a meritorious and brave officer. Ge-
neral Heath caused him to be arrested, and submitted the
affair to a court of inquiry. The conduct of the British
officers and privates, on several occasions, did not com-
port with that decorum which might be expected from
prisoners of war, of which the court was made acquaint-
ed, together Avith the alleged causes of complaint of the
English General, who expressed his displeasure, that his
complaints were not submitted directly to a Court-martial.
Peculiar attention appears to have been paid to the feel-
ings and even to the caprice of the captive General. It
was, therefore, deemed expedient, that he should be grati-
fied in his wishes. A Court-martial was accordingly held,
by order of General Heath. The causes of complaint
were exhibited. General Burgoyne justified them with
all his eloquence, assuming the duties of a judge advo-
cate, in which he was indulged, but against which Ge-
neral Heath, in confirming the decision of the Court, pro-



508



GLORY OF AMERICA.



tested, in order that it niiorht not serve as a precedent on
future occasions. Colonel Henley was honourably ac-
quitted, and resumed his command.

On the Sth of Yiarch, a cartel arriyed from Cape Cod.
with a letter to General Burc-oyne from Captain Dalr\^n-
pie, announcing- his arrival m that harbour in the Juno
frigate, accompanied with transports, for the conveyance
of himself and his troops to England. Li conseciuence of
tne existing state of affairs, however. Captain BiT.thwaite
arrived m the Centurion in Cape Cod. vnth orders from
Lord Howe, that the vessels of war and transports sliould
return to Rhode Island, then in possession of the British.

The difficulties, which had been so numerous in impe-
ding tne fulfilment of the articles of the capitulation of the
British army to General Gates, were so far removed in
the latter end of 3Iarch, as to permit, by a resolve of Con-
gress, the return of General Burgo^me to England, from
Khode Island, the expenses for the support of the cap-
tured army, made m paper, being previously refonded in
specie.

Their supply involved the General in many difficulties
VNinch required his utmost attention and foresig-ht to re-
move. General Burgo^me bid him adieu at his quarters
on the 2d of April, and left Cambridge on the 5th for
Khode Island, to embark for Europe. ^Li this last inter-
view, he expressed his utmost satisfaction in respect to
the treatment he had personally received from the Gene-
ral, and promised to remit trom England such scarce ar-
ticles as he should name, for his own use. The General
thanked him for his politeness : but made no further ob-
sen-ation on his proffered services, preferrino- to submit to
the straitened resources of the countiw in common with
his fellow citizens, rather than to avail 'himself of the ad-
vantages which might result from the politeness of the
captive officer.

After the departure of General Burgoyne. a division of
the captured troops were ordered to Rutland in Yermont,
where barracks had been prepared for their recention. and
General Heath entered into a negotiation with tlV British
General Pigot, for the fiuure supply of the whole rnptive



WILLIAM HEATH. 609

force. Congress, when made acquainted with this nego-
tiation, passed a resolve dated the 22d of May, in whfch
they highly approved his conduct.

On the 17th of June, a British officer was shot on Pros-
pect hill, by an American sentinel. On the 7th of the
same month, one of the American guards was stabbed by
one of the captive soldiers. The instant that General
Heath became acquainted with the shooting of the British
officer, he directed the sentinel to be put into confinement,
a coroner's inquest to be held over the body, and acquaint-