Description:

Heath William

A Lieutenant Seeks Clarification of Rules Governing Passes, "They are Deserting, it is Very Troublesome"

LUKE WOODBERY, Autograph Letter Signed, to William Heath, November 7, 1780, Fort Montgomery, [New York. 1 p., 8.25" x 5.675." Some browning and tape repairs; affixed to backing board. From the Library of Charles I. Forbes.

 

Complete Transcript

Sir

            As it is often the Case that parties Want to pass out of season who have not proper passes and alltho I am Very Well Acquainted with them I Dare not let them pass according to the Genl orders sir I should be glad to know if I Should be safe to let them pass in Cases of that kind if it be toward Camp as it Cant be Expected They are Deserting as it is Very troubelsom sending up with Every party

                                                                        Your humble servant

                                                                        L. Woodbery Lt Comdg

Montgomery fort / Novr 7th – 80

To MG Heath

 

Historical Background

In March 1776, patriots began construction of Fort Montgomery on the north side of Popolopen Creek at its confluence with the Hudson River about five miles south of West Point. In October 1777, a combined force of 2,100 Loyalists, Hessians, and British regulars under General Henry Clinton attacked Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, across the creek to the south. The forts were commanded by brothers General George Clinton, then governor of New York, and General James Clinton, with a total of about 600 Continental Army troops. The British simultaneously attacked both forts and captured them. More than half of the defenders were killed, wounded, or captured, and the British burned both forts on their departure.

 

When the Americans regained control of the area in 1778, they focused their attention on fortifications at West Point, though they kept a small garrison at Fort Montgomery, probably as forward observers of British movements up the Hudson River. As commander of the Highland Department, Major General William Heath had ordered sentries not to allow persons to pass in and out of camp without proper passes, and Lt. Woodbery here asks clarification of those rules.

 

 

Luke Woodbery/Woodbury (1751-1827) was born in Salem, New Hampshire, and enlisted in the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry as an ensign in November 1776. During the war, he served at Bunker Hill, Canada, Trenton, Princeton, Morristown, Ticonderoga, Hubbardton, Bennington, Saratoga, Valley Forge, Barren Hill, Monmouth, Six Nations, Elizabeth Town, and West Point. Woodbery was promoted to a lieutenant in September 1777. In November 1780, he was in command of Fort Montgomery on the west bank of the Hudson River. In the first three months of 1781, he was on furlough in New Hampshire, and he resigned on April 19, 1781. In 1782, he married Elizabeth Kemp (1761-1841).

 

William Heath (1737-1814) was born in Massachusetts and became active in the militia, rising to the rank of colonel by 1770. In December 1774, the revolutionary government commissioned him as a brigadier general, and he commanded Massachusetts troops at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. Two months later, the Continental Congress commissioned him a brigadier general in the Continental Army. After participating in the defense of New York, he received promotion to major general. After failing in an attack on Fort Independence in New York, he received a censure from George Washington and never again commanded troops in combat. He was placed in charge of the prisoner Convention Army after the Battle of Saratoga, and in 1780 the Continental Congress placed Heath in charge of the Highland Department. After the war, he was a member of the Massachusetts convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution and served in the Massachusetts Senate in from 1791 to 1792. Elected as lieutenant governor in 1806, he declined the office.

 

 

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