William Heath papers, 1774-1872 | WorldCat.org (original) (raw)

Summary:Papers of William Heath cover his Revolutionary War military service in the Continental Army as a field commander (1776-77) and as commander of the Eastern District (Mar. 1777-June 1779) and the Lower Hudson (N.Y.) district (June 1779-1783). The collection consists of loose papers, 1774-1814, including correspondence, accounts, warrants, reports, military returns, and orderly books, 1776-83 (with gaps), containing general orders and Heath's orders to his commanding officers in the field. Frequent subjects include recruitment, troop movements, the appointment of officers, court-martials, morale, pay, camp life, discipline and desertion, equipment and provisions, and British prisoners of war. Heath's diaries date from 1775-1804 (with gaps from Dec. 1798-July 1801 and Aug. 1802-Feb. 1803). Wartime diaries describe movements by the British, American troop movements and locations, court-martials, prisoners of war, troop recruitment and enlistment, and casualties. The post-war diaries refer to global events, politics, and wars, including the French Revolution, weather, and family milestones. Frequent correspondents include George Washington, John Hancock, Henry Knox, Charles Lee, John Sullivan, and John Burgoyne