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by Michael E. Bigelow, INSCOM Command Historian
"EVERYTHING...DEPENDS UPON OBTAINING INTELLIGENCE"
On Sep. 5, 1776, Gen. George Washington wrote to Maj. Gen. William Heath, commanding two Continental brigades at Kingsbridge, just north of Manhattan. Written a week after the disastrous defeat on Long Island, Washington used the short letter to make one of his most emphatic statements on the importance of intelligence.
To Major General William Heath
New York. Sept. 5th 1776.
Dear Sir,
As everything, in a manner, depends upon obtaining Intelligence of the Enemy’s motions, I do most earnestly entreat you and Gen’l [George] Clinton to exert yourselves to accomplish this most desireable end, leave no stone unturn’d, nor do not stick at expence to bring this to pass, as I never was more uneasy than on Acct. of my want of knowledge on this Score.
Keep besides this precaution, constant lookouts (with good Glasses) on some commanding heights that looks well on to the other shore (& especially into the Bays, where Boats can be concealed) that they may observe more particularly in the Evening if there be any uncommon movements—much will depend upon early Intelligence, & meeting the Enemy before they can Intrench. I should much approve of small harassing Parties, stealing as it were, over in the Night, as they might keep the Enemy alarmed & more than probably bring off a Prisoner from whom some valuable Intelligence may be obtained.
Your Command lays in the two Brigades of Mifflin and Clinton, from whom let me have, & without delay, exact returns—as far as you find it convenient to advance any of those Men so far your authority extends.
Let me entreat your particular attention to the Stores &ca sent up to the Posts above. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedient Servant,
Go. Washington
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| Date Taken: | 09.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2025 11:22 |
| Story ID: | 547514 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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