General William Heath Is Informed: The Commander In Chief Has Ordered Me To Signify To You His Desire That The Charges Against Major Keith May Be Brought Agreeably

WILLIAM HEATH (1737-1814). A Revolutionary War general from Massachusetts, Heath fought at Bunker Hill. In January 1777, Heath, with 6,000 troops, so bungled the attack on Fort Independence in New York, garrisoned by 2,000 troops, that Washington reprimanded him. He was placed in command of the Eastern district stationed in Boston.AL. 1pg. 8 x 10. Orderly Office. August 8, 1782. An autograph letter in an unknown hand, addressed to General Heath. The letter concerns General Washington and a court martial case as the Continental Army was awaiting the final British surrender: The Commander In Chief has ordered me to signify to you his desire that the (truncated) charges against Major Keith may be brought agreeably to the enclosed form & that you would take the trouble of furnishing the Major & the Judge Advocate with copies at the same time informing them that the Prosecution will be conducted in conformity to the present form. Anything contained in your former notifications not withstanding if the Party send out by Major Keith were not armed that word may be left out in his Arrest & the Blank for Bowens name may be filled up. It is docketed Copy of Letter to Maj Genl Heath. On August 6, 1782, General Heath informed General Washington that Major Keith has been relieved from the lines, and is ordered in arrest on the enclosed charges, which are submitted to your excellency. He will soon be brought to trial unless you think proper to order otherwise. Keith was from the 8th Massachusetts Regiment. The charges had to do with overwatching military stores around West Point. He was found guilty on one charge and drummed out of the service. The letter has filing folds, crossouts and one small piece of tape on the verso. (Inventory #: 6633)