1To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1775 (Washington Papers)
Convinced of the utility, the necessity, at all times, of a well disciplined militia, to every free state; when the united wisdom of the continent, referring to the contest with the parent kingdom, called on every colony to prepare for the most unhappy events; and the more immediate recommendations of our provincial congress demanded a diligent application to the military art; deeming the...
2To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
’Tis with real pain I ask your Excellency’s attention (engaged as it is in affairs of such vast importance) to the subject of this letter: but justice, & compassion to the distressed (not to say the injured) compel me to do it. The bearer Capt. McGlathry about a month since was coming from the eastward with a load of wood, bound to Salem, but was taken by a man of war, & afterwards retaken by...
3To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I esteem it a singular honour done me by your Excellency in offering me the post of Adjutant General, and it pains me sensibly that I am obliged to decline it. ’Tis an honour to which I did not aspire, because I did not account myself equal to the important business of the office. Your Excellency does not mistake my attachment to the interests of the United States; ’tis sincere & unalterable....
4To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent by the express an answer to your letter respecting the office of adjutant general, & gave what appeared to me sufficient reasons to excuse my declining to accept it; but have since been uneasy, lest you should deem them otherwise; & that I was too willing, under the civil offices I sustain, to shelter myself from the dangers & fatigues of war. An opinion which, if it has taken place, I...
5To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your Excellency’s letter by Col. Lee, conferring upon me the office of adjutant general: And since, notwithstanding all my objections, ’tis your Excellency’s pleasure, I am happy to declare my acceptance of it. At the same time I am constrained, from my real feelings; again to express my fears that I shall fall short of your Excellency’s expectations. Few people are...
6To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
It often happens that soldiers are discharged without being paid off, or furnished with a certificate of what is their due. A number of such men have been discharged lately by General McIntosh. One of them is now at the board, & presents an account of twenty one pounds & upwards, due to him for wages. As he has been long at the hospital, ’tis not improbable the demand is just; yet we cannot...
7To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter from Thomas Smith Esqr. will inform you of the distressed condition of the frontiers of this state. The counties of Westmoreland & Northumberland are equally exposed with Bedford. Other accounts correspond with that of Mr Smith, & shew that a general stroke is greatly to be apprehended; and that in addition to the barbarous savages, the disaffected inhabitants are...
8To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Armstrong arrived here yesterday with some necessaries for the North Carolina troops, among them 2768 blankets: but the whole being stowed in four waggons, I was led to inquire of the size of the blankets, & find they are so narrow that two must be sewed together to make one. Genl McIntosh informed me that the North Carolina brigade was already nearly supplied with blankets. This induced...
9To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates has written to Congress describing his distressed situation from the want of men, money, arms, provisions &c. We were surprized at the mention of arms ; for by a return made in February it appeared that better than 2000 stands were then at Albany, fit for service; and the board have never given any order respecting them. Colo. Malcom says a quantity were sent from thence lately...
10To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning it occurred to me that very little if any of the cloathing at Springfield had been sent forward to the main army; and that as six brigades will perhaps remain here or in the neighbourhood for some time; or at least may not return soon to the westward, it may be best to order a sufficiency of the cloathing for them to be stopped, which will save an expensive carriage of a hundred...
11To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Justice and the Public Interest require that all Allowances engaged to the Army should be punctually paid; We regret that the precautions which sometimes seem necessary to prevent frauds to the United States, often cause such Delays as eventually deprive the Soldiers of the Benefits promised them; We are led to make these Observations from the present Application of a pay Master in Behalf of...
12To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the happiness to inform you that the box, containing the orderly books & some returns, which has been so long missing is found. It was carried to Reading, from whence it was lately brought to this city with Genl Mifflin’s papers. ’tis now at the War Office, & waits your orders. I am desired by the board to remind your Excellency of their request to know your sentiments relative to the...
13To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1779. GW wrote Pickering on 10 March : “I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures.”
14To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779. GW wrote to Pickering on 20 March : “I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit.”
15To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
yours of the 22d inst. came to hand yesterday evening. I immediately sent orders to the Clothier General to send on to camp without delay all the shirts, over-alls & blankets in his possession, reserving only so many as were necessary to answer the orders given for supplying Colo. Proctors & Colo. Hartley’s regiments. The Clothier General informs me there will then remain but about 150...
16To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last evening an express arrived here from Charlestown, which place he left the 23d of June. He brought a letter of that date to the honble Mr Laurens, who gave the following extract, viz. “General Lincoln having received such intelligence of the intentions, strength & position of the enemy as rendered it advisable to attack them at Stono Ferry, did so on the 20th inst., about 7 o’clock in the...
17To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon arrived here the armed Cutter Royal George of 14 guns, prize to the Pickering of Salem. Coming addressed to me, a number of private letters found on board fell into my hands. Some of them contained intelligence which seemed of importance sufficient to be communicated to your Excellency. I have therefore made in haste the inclosed extracts. The private sentiments & anecdotes...
18To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will doubtless ere this reaches you, have been informed that Congress have been pleased to appoint me quarter master general. This was so totally unexpected, that it will take me some days yet before I can get ready to proceed to camp. In the mean time I shall make some necessary arrange⟨m⟩ents for conducting the business of the de⟨pa⟩rtment in this state and the other states s⟨ou⟩thward...
19To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sensible how mortifying is Disappointment especially when the Object of our wishes is almost within our Grasp; aware that the supposed Cause of the Disappointment is ever the Subject of Censure and Resentment; and fearing your Excellency will deem me greatly culpable for the Failure of the late Enterprize of the Light Infantry; I beg you will do me the Favor to read the Orders I gave on the...
20To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the arrangement lately made by Congress, and announced in general Orders, I observe that there is to be but one Regiment of artificers; and it is directed that this regiment be furnished by the State of Pennsylvania. I am in doubt whether this refers to Colonel Baldwins regiment only, or is intended to comprehend his & Colonel Flower’s regiment of artillery artificers; by uniting them, &...
21To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Four days ago I sent off an express to Springfield & Boston with letters to Otis & Henley—the Clothier at Springfield, Colo. Jabez Hatch my deputy at Boston, & to Mr Tuckerman his Assistant at Springfield—in all representing the naked condition of the troops, the near approach of winter, and the necessity of their instant exertions to forward the cloathing at both places to Newburgh. I had...
22To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
This moment has been handed to me the inclosed copy of General Heath’s “Garrison orders” issued at West Point, apparently with a design to regulate the public issues at Fishkill; but which, if carried into execution, will unhinge all public business there, & go near to dissolve my department in the state. They were issued, I am warranted to say, at the instigation of Colo. Hazen, whose...
23To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a memorandum of your Excellency’s which I recd at Totowa is the following—“Ox teams to be provided & used the next campaign.” In a resolution of Congress of the 10th of November is the following paragraph. “That if it be deemed preferable by the commander in chief that a proportion of the public horses should be disposed of for draught oxen, to be provided for the ensuing campaign, he be...
24To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote last evening to Mr Humphrys, & gave him an account of my expectations respecting forage. The uncommon badness of the roads (either very rough or very miry) has prevented the farmers bringing in the forage the Justices of Ulster & Orange agreed to furnish & have in fact assessed: The present snow will enable them to come in. For instant relief to your Excellency’s horses I directed Mr...
25To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 26 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Of the seventeen teams impressed by Justice Chandler for the artillery, tents & intrenching tools, five only came in, & those too late to draw the artillery, which I completed with Continental horses by breaking up three double teams. The five single teams which came in I have caused to be loaded with two horsemans tents—75 common tents—& 75 axes besides two crow bars. These will go about six...
26To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Timothy Pickering, 9 Feb. 1781. On this date, GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Pickering: “The General has anticipated the subject of your letter of this day” (see Pickering to GW, this date , source note).
27To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last evening I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Lutterloh, which I think it my duty to lay before your Excellency. It describes a practice not new: but which I hoped to remedy by possitive injunctions to the state agents to deliver none except to the order of the Commissary of Forage, who has repeatedly written to the agents to that effect. The abuse however continues; and in some cases...
28To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Knox informed me to-day that no artillery was to go from hence. I had previously ordered 50 draught horses to be impressed for transporting the artillery, amunition & tents. I now propose to dispose of them as follows: For the marquis de la Fayette’s waggon—4. a baggage tumbril for the artillery officers 3. three close waggons in which are to be carried from hence eleven horseman’s &...
29To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed extract of a letter from Colo. Neilson I beg leave to lay before your Excellency, and to request your direction relative to the artillery huts at Pluckemin. If they are not necessary to be preserved for any military purposes, the reasons given by Colo. Neilson require that they be sold without delay. Congress have determined on a reform of Colo. Baldwin’s regt files among the...
30To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to inform you, on my return from Philadelphia, of what passed there relative to the means of procuring the numerous supplies requisite in my department for the ensuing campaign; and was unhappy that no prospect was presented of my obtaining a single shilling for that end. As the only alternative therefore, I submitted to your Excellency’s judgment the expediency of calling on...
31To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st inst. I wrote to the leading Justice (Mr Burt) in Warwick relative to the procuring teams to transport the flour from that place to New Windsor: but have received no answer: and am now apprehensive that my application will be fruitless. And the supply on hand (as appears by the commissary’s return this day received) is so trifling, I dare not wait any longer my request for an...
32To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Tilghman favoured me to day with the act of Congress relative to a barrack master to the french Army; agreeable to which I have made the enclosed appointment for Colonel Champlin. If your Excellency shall deem any alteration in the form of the Warrant to be expedient, I beg to be favoured with your sentiments thereon for my direction. I am with great respect your Excellencys most obedt...
33To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find that one great cause of the failure of transportation of the salted provisions from Connecticut has been the general want of forage; of private forage I mean. The farmers there in general have not a lock of hay for their own stocks. Your Excellency’s wishes are anticipated. Colo. Hughes went off yesterday from Fishkill by one o’clock for Danbury (which I assure myself he reached last...
34To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Orders will be given forthwith to have a vessel got ready to carry a 100 barrels of flour to Albany. The necessary orders have been given, & in the most pointed terms, relative to the flour on the communications between this & Pensylvania; & as (other means failing) actual payment is to be resorted to, I cannot entertain an idea of disappointment. An express will go to-morrow for Boston. I...
35To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received from Colo. Hughes a letter of which the inclosed is an extract. Mr Pomeroy (the bearer of it, brother to the D.Q.M.) informs me that the towns who were called on early in March to send forward their salted meat, got themselves excused by the government, under pretence that the roads were impassable, promising to turn out when the roads were good. But when called upon, the...
36To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that about 60 barrels of shad came down yesterday from Esopus. As this article of provisions is for an immediate supply, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of bringing down daily all that are caught. Two or three pettiaugers may be employed in this service; and with the wind as it is to day, they may run from Esopus to West Point in five or six hours; and if the wind be...
37To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was at Fishkill this morning4 & from Mr Stevens’s account of provisions received from Connecticut, compared with Mr Josiah Pomeroy’s, I am apprehensive your Excellency has been informed of larger quantities of salted provisions being put up in the towns westward of Connecticut river than were in fact provided. By Mr Stevens’s acct it appears, that from the 6th of February to the 11th inst....
38To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys orders, we have consider’d of an arrangement of Colonel Baldwins regiment of artificers, and are of opinion That all the non commissioned officers & privates should form one company under the direction and command of Capt. Patten and Lieut Lears Artillery Artificers at the Park, and one lieutenant to be taken from said regiment, the whole to do duty at present at...
39To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The return of boats of which your Excellency has a copy, is dated the 2d of April. At that time there appeared to be 60 batteaux at Wappon’s creek that were repairable. On the 29th of April there were eight batteaux there under repair, & fifteen more repairable, but very old. The residue, of consequence, of the 60, had been repaired & taken away. But I do not know of any repaired elsewhere;...
40To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Excellency’s letter of yesterday. The military stores ordered from hence are all gone, together with near twenty (I think) casks of flints which some of the ox teams had brought on from Springfield. The whole were a few days ago advanced as far as Sussex Court House, and are under the care of Ebenezer Brannon conductor of military stores. Lest there should not be...
41To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s letter of this date, and will pay due attention to the contents. I had no notice for the demand for planks till Gl Knox mentioned it today: He will inform your Excellency how I proposed to obtain a part of them. I shall send an express to Colo. Hughes at Albany to morrow morning on that account; and one for Boston to morrow afternoon on the score of...
42To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the return of boats which I mentioned this morning. I recd it last evening & have not had opportunity to take a copy. which I shall be glad to do in a day or two. I am very respectfully yr Excellencys obed. P.S. Those mentioned to be laid up at Wappins Creek Mr Sheafe expected to have repaired by this day. DNA : RG 93—War Department.
43To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 29 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Platt having signified to me his intentions to quit my department, I immediately sought for a suitable character for the office of deputy quarter master to the main army; and after due inquiry, have fixed on lieut. colo. Dearborn. He has consented to serve: but being in the line of the army, he cannot be taken from thence without your Excellency’s approbation, which I now solicit. The...
44To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
As your Excellency required a strict account of the delivery of your order for the army to halt, on the day they marched to this camp, I have inquired into facts, which I beg leave to state. I have asked Odell the guide, the distance between Storm’s bridge & the one on the Dobbs ferry road—"about three miles"—Where were the fallen trees, on passing of which I sent back an express to Colo....
45To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I believe I have heretofore mentioned to your Excellency my disappoinment in respect to the number of horses supposed to be wintered in Pensylvania. Last January, or early in February, I sent to that state & to every other where horses were wintered, for returns of them, for the purpose of ascertaining what numbers would be fit for service this campaign: but I obtained none until May & June....
46To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Knox has called on me to-day respecting a provision of horses for the light artillery. I have authorized Colo. Hughes to purchase one hundred for that service only , & promised payment by the first of November. He writes me encouragingly that many may be so procured. The essential service to which they are to be applied will, I trust, facilitate a grant of money to enable me to fulfil...
47To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
In the inclosed proposition for general orders, I have these objects in view: To ascertain the quantity of forage consumed in this county, by knowing the numbers of cattle fed there—To find who are possessed of public horses—To see who keep horses to whom public forage is not allowed, or who keep more horses than are allowed them, or than your Excellency shall judge necessary; that what are...
48To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have sent a person to examine the roads on the routes mentioned by Genl Hand, & urged his returning as soon as possible. I have sent an express to go with him as far as Ogden’s iron works (without crossing the Ramapaugh) to bring back his report whether that route be practicable for carriages. The inspection of the roads will then proceed as far as the two Bridges & return by Dods thro’...
49To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
It may be proper that I report to your Excellency the circumstances & events of my late journey to Williamsburgh. I was unable to leave camp the 2d inst. till late in the afternoon, which prevented my reaching Williamsburgh till the evening. I immediately waited on the Intendant with Count Chastellux’s letter, reciting the agreement he had made with me respecting the future employment of the...
50To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment returned from Trebells landing, whither I went today to search for the batteaux, a return of which I have now the honour to inclose. About ten days since, when your Excellency was at the landing, I recd by an aid your direction to have the boats collected & repaired. I had previously committed the care of them to commodore Barron, & urgently requested him to have them...