This page collects excerpts from primary source correspondence — drawn from The Writings of George Washington and the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress — documenting Major Richard Howell’s role as an intelligence officer and field commander during the Revolutionary War.

Richard Howell’s Intelligence Operations, 1778–1779#

The greater part of the New Jersey soldiers’ time was occupied by such mundane duties as mounting guard, cutting wood, and maintaining garrisons in several towns in the area. There were occasional opportunities during this period for excitement or at least a change in the mundane rounds of daily living.

In August 1778 General George Washington directed Brigadier General Maxwell to station a party of fifty men in Monmouth County “at some place … most convenient for commanding a view of the Hook and its environs; in order to watch the motions of the Enemy’s Fleet and to advise me from time to time of every thing that passes …” By and large this duty must become routine after the men had settled in to their new environs, but to break the monotony there were occasional forays against “Wood Tories,” a popular term for local inhabitants loyal to the crown. One attempt to capture them or “burn their Cabin” was made around the end of August, and on the 30th the 2nd New Jersey’s Major Richard Howell, commander of the observation post, moved with his men to forestall a rumored Loyalist attack at “the Sale of Ship and Cargo at Toms River”; the outcome is unknown.1

Unfortunately Major Howell’s party was less than the fifty men the commander in chief had recommended. On 9 October the major wrote from “Tinton falls” that “As to parties of Observation alas I have but thirty men [which is] insufficient to guard our little post & am … unable to detach a party on so dangerous a command but obligd to expose my person every Day alone.” Howell’s detachment remained on this duty until January 1779. In reference to a force of “250 Men from the line, properly officered, to go upon that service” of stopping the trade between Monmouth and New York, Washington stated on 9 January “There will be no necessity of Major Howell’s remaining in Monmouth … be pleased therefore to direct him to join his Brigade, with the Men that are with him as soon as they arrive …”2

Primary Source Excerpts#

Richard Howell to William Maxwell, June 24, 1778#

Washington Papers, Reel 50

“Finding that the Enemy were extreamly carless I [illegible word] about & Detach’d my Corps in three Divisions hoping that by that means [to] Collect a number of prisoners, Captn. Ross had a smart fire with the Enemy as they were taking up the Bridge tis thought he Kill’d some of them. The success of the other parties is as yet unknown. Provisions is extreamly difficult to procure as the Enemy have swept all before them, but my Method is [to] Leave men behind to Cook & bring on [to] the rendezvous where we meet in the Evening. Colo. White [who] has been in their rear says [they] Incline towards Emly’s town beyond Allentown. Capt. Ross always beheaves well & so will the other two beyond Doubt. Tell Colo. Shreve by means of the Hessian General Nothing has been hurt in his house.”

George Washington to William Maxwell, August 8, 1778#

Washington requesting a vigilant officer to make observations and report to him. Major Richard Howell was chosen.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

Head Quarters, August 8, 1778.

Sir: I am uncertain whether you may not already have a party somewhere in Monmouth County, but however this may be, it is my wish you should without delay have one of 50 Men stationed under a very vigilant and intelligent Officer at some place in that County most convenient for commanding a view of the Hook and its environs; in order to watch the motions of the Enemy’s Fleet and to advise me from time to time of every thing that passes, of all Vessels that arrive to them, or go out from them. Lieut. Colo. Brearly, 3 Ray 4 or Major Howel 5 would either of them be very proper for this business. I would wish the Officer who is to have the charge of the party to go instantly on and his party to follow as soon as possible. If you have any Militia Horse it would be desireable to send a few with him, and to remain with the party.

For conveying any important intelligence with dispatch, I inclosed you a letter to Mr. Caldwell 6 directing him to station expresses at proper distances between the party you send and Elizabeth Town; and I shall expect whenever it comes to you, you will not lose a moment in forwarding it to me, by a trusty hand, on whose activity and care you can depend; and when there is any thing particularly interesting you will send duplicates for fear of accidents. As the obtaining good and certain intelligence is a matter of great importance to us, I must intreat you to continue your other exertions for procuring such as may be depended on. I am &ca.

P.S. I just now recd. your favor of yesterday and the intelligence it contains respecting the Fleet seems so certain that it cannot well admit of a doubt. Yet should it be otherwise, I must request you to give me the very earliest information of it. The importance of such a circumstance you must be fully sensible of, and therefore I make no doubt you will upon similar occasions have the fullest proof, before you hand it to me as fact. I have transmitted a copy of that part of your letter which Count D’Estaing is so materially interested in, to him. You will be pleased to Seal the inclosed before you forward it.7

Notes:

George Washington to Nathanael Greene, August 21, 1778#

Major Richard Howell making observations concerning the British Fleet.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

White-plains, August 21, 1778.

Dear Sir: On Wednesday afternoon I received your favor of the 12th 8 and 13th Inst. by Mr. Hulet the Pilot, who did not arrive in Camp ’till then. I am much obliged by your particular relation of matters, and request that you will continue it from time to time whenever opportunity will permit.

[. . .] There is one circumstance in your relation, of which I was exceedingly sorry to hear.9 You will readily know which it is. I wish the utmost harmony to prevail as it is essential to success; and that no occasions be omitted on our part to cultivate it.

Your operations have been greatly retarded by the late violent storm; but as it is now over, I trust things will go on prosperously and that you will be rejoined by Count D’Estaing who has been kept out so long by it. Indeed from General Sullivan’s Letter of the 17th., I flatter myself you will have made a compleat reduction of the Enemy’s force before this reaches you, and that the next advices I receive will announce it.

By a Letter which I received yesterday from General Maxwell, inclosing one from Major Howell,10 (who I have stationed at black point for the purpose of observn) it appears certain, that Sixteen of Lord Howe’s fleet entered the Hook on the 17th. That on that, and the preceding day, there had been heard severe Canonades at Sea, and that it was reported in New York that a 64 Gun Ship and several Transports had been taken by the French Squadron. I wish the fact may be so as to the capture, and that the Count may be with you to give a narrative of it himself.11

Notes:

George Washington to Lord Stirling, October 22, 1778#

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

Head Quarters, Fredericksburg, October 22, 1778.

My Lord: I am favd. with yours of the 19th. and 20th. with their inclosures, and thank you for the important and particular intelligence which you have communicated. I must now beg of you to continue your endeavours to find out whether a total evacuation is intended, or a Garrison to be left in New York. If the latter, the Knowlege of the number of Troops, the Corps, and the ships of War will be very essential. If your expresses can with safety cross to South Amboy, your communication with Major Howell will be much more expeditious. [. . .]

George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge, March 21, 1779#

A letter from George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge in reference to paying Aaron Woodhull alias Samuel Culper and finding a more expedient route for transmitting intelligence through Col. Shreve or Gen. Maxwell — both of which Richard Howell already was sending intelligence through. This letter is dated 21 March 1779; Richard Howell resigned in April 1779.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

Middlebrook, March 21, 1779.

Sir: With this Letter you will receive Fifty Guineas for S– C–r,12 which you will cause to be delivered as soon as possible, with an earnest exhortation to use them with all possible œconomy, as I find it very difficult to obtain hard money.13

I wish C– could fall upon some more direct channel by which his Letters could be conveyed, as the efficacy of his communications is lost in the circuitous rout. if he could fall upon a method of conveying his Letters to Genl. Maxwell at Elizabeth town, or to Colo. Shreve at Newark, they would come to me with more dispatch, and of consequence render his corrispondance more valuable.

As all great movements, and the fountain of all intelligence must originate at, and proceed from the head Quarters of the enemy’s army, C– had better reside at New York, mix with, and put on the airs of a Tory to cover his real character, and avoid suspicion. In all his communications he should be careful in distinguishing matters of fact, from matters of report. Reports and actions should be compared before conclusions are drawn, to prevent as much as possible, deception. Particular attention is to be paid to the arrival, and departure of all Fleets, and to the alterations in the cantonements of the Troops and their respective movements with the destination of them, if to be come at, and before it is too late to profit by the knowledge. [. . .]

P.S. I wish merely for curiosity, and that I may be prepared with sufficient knowledge, for any future favourable contingency, to know the depth of Water through Hell gate? the largest Ship of war that has ever passed it? and the largest that can pass it?14

Notes:

George Washington to Alexander McDougall, March 25, 1779#

Letter concerning double agents. Washington was gearing up his spy network and looking for ways to gain reliable intelligence.

Head Quarters, Middle Brook, March 25, 1779.

Dear Sir: [. . .] I always think it necessary to be very circumspect with double spies. Their situation in a manner obliges them to trim a good deal in order to keep well with both sides; and the less they have it in their power to do us mischief, the better; especially if we consider that the enemy can purchase their fidelity at a higher price than we can. It is best to keep them in a way of knowing as little of our true circumstances as possible; and in order that they may really deceive the enemy in their reports, to endeavour in the first place to deceive them. [. . .]

George Washington to William Maxwell, March 25, 1779#

Letter to General Maxwell asking for more intelligence and hoping that intercourse with New York has not come to an end.

Headquarters, Middlebrook, March 25, 1779.

Sir: I was favored with the receipt of your letter of the 17th. inst. [. . .] I hope your intercourse with New York is not totally at an end. I have heard nothing from there of a long while, not from you since the 17th. Have you not yet heard what Fleet that it was appeared off the Hook last week? from whence and the contents?, and what the Enemy appear to be abt. in the City?] [. . .]15

George Washington to Congress, January 11, 1780#

Letter from General Washington to Congress alluding to a secret mission to be carried out by Richard Howell.

Head Quarters, Morris Town, January 11, 1780.

Gentn: On the 8th late in the Afternoon I had the honor to receive Your private Letter of the 3d Inst.16 I sent the next morning for Captain Bowman, but owing to his being out of Camp in quest of provision, I did not see him till yesterday, when I took measures with him for complying with your views. He will march with his Company and with some additional Men I directed to be attached to it to make it compleat, this afternoon or early to morrow morning; also with an Empty Ammunition Waggon. The Captain has received Instructions in the Spirit of the Board’s Letter, and an Order on the Commissary at Freehold for a Fortnights provision [. . .]

New Jersey Delegates who Ratified the Constitution of the United States#

Gloucester County: Richard Howell 1787, Andrew Hunter 1787, Benjamin Whitall 1787

Sources#

Full source: Philander D. Chase, ed., The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, volume 17, 15 September – 31 October 1778. Charlottesville and London: University of Virginia Press, 2008.

Additional sources:

  1. Washington to William Maxwell, 8 August 1778, Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, 12 (1934), 295. Richard Howell to William Maxwell, 26 August 1778, George Washington Papers, series 4, reel 50; Howell to Maxwell, 30 August 1778, series 4, reel 51. ↩︎

  2. Richard Howell to Washington, 9 October 1778, reel 52. Washington to the Board of War, 9 January 1779, Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, 13 (1936), 497. ↩︎

  3. Lieut. Col. David Brearley, of the First New Jersey Regiment. He resigned in August, 1779. ↩︎

  4. Lieut. Col. David Rhea, of the Fourth New Jersey Regiment, who had retired in July, 1778. ↩︎

  5. Maj. Richard Howell, of the Second New Jersey Regiment. He resigned in April, 1779. ↩︎

  6. Rev. James Caldwell. ↩︎

  7. The draft is in the writing of Richard Kidder Meade. ↩︎

  8. Greene’s letters of August 12 and 13 are not found in the Washington Papers. ↩︎

  9. At this date misunderstandings and antagonism were already existent between the American and French officers. ↩︎

  10. Maj. Richard Howell, of the Second New Jersey Regiment. ↩︎

  11. From the Nathanael Greene Papers in the Library of Congress. ↩︎

  12. Samuel Culper, spy, alias of Aaron Woodhull. ↩︎

  13. The following receipt, in the writing of Washington, follows this letter in the Washington Papers: “Middlebrook, March 21, 1779. Then received from General Washington the Sum of Fifty Guineas (in Gold) to be delivered to S– C– for the purpose of secret intelligence from New York. Benja. Tallmadge.” ↩︎

  14. From a facsimile in the Washington Papers. A copy, in the writing of James McHenry, also in the Washington Papers, varies from this letter sent in inconsequential verbal particulars. ↩︎

  15. The draft is in the writing of James McHenry. The portions in brackets are in the writing of Washington. ↩︎

  16. “The Board have a Plan of Intelligence accompanied with same other Matters of which we will hereafter inform your Excellency and which being communicated to a Committee of Congress has been approved by that Committee. To carry this plan into Execution we have employed Major Howell late of the 2d Jersey Regt commanded by Col. Shreve. Major Howell desires that, to facilitate the Measures we have communicated to him, Capn Nathaniel Bowman of that Regiment may be detached with his entire Company of Light Infantry and ordered to proceed with an Ammunition Waggon to Squan by way of Freehold…” — Board of War to Washington, Jan. 3, 1780. ↩︎