1From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to have the Flat Boats which are in James River mounted upon Carriages as expeditiously as possible and brought in the first instance into the old Field in front of Head Quarters, where they may remain upon their Carriages till wanted—As soon as they arrive you will apply to the Adjt Genl for a subalterns Guard for them. I am sir Yr most obt servt. You will have the Boats...
2From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 18 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acquaint you that I propose leaving town on Wednesday or Thursday next, & as I would wish to have you at the Army as soon as you have made the necessary arrangements for your department, I must desire you to acquaint me when you think you will be able to follow me. I am Sir, &c. MHi : Papers of George Washington.
3From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 26 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
A nNumber of Batteaux will be wanting to transport the necessary provisions and Stores to the Garrisons which may be kept on the Western Waters . I must therefore desire that you will retain all such as are suitable for that purpose and have them put into repair. I am Sir Your very Obedient humble Servant P.S. They need be put in no other repair than what is necessary to transport them to...
4George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 22, 1780 . Sends instructions for preparation of boats for the attack. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Pay from the British Military Chest in your Care One hundred and fifty Pounds Lawful Money to Brigadier General Knox of the Artillery, for the Use of his Department and for which he is to be held Accountable. Given at Head Quarters this 2 November 1781. MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
6From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is of the utmost importance to the Service, that Gentlemen who are acting at the heads of departments should at this present period be with the troops. You will please therefore upon the receipt of this to join them with all possible dispatch. I am Sir with Esteem Yours &ca DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
7George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 14, 1781 . Is going to Rhode Island. States that command of the Army will devolve on Major General William Heath. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
8George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 15 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 15, 1781 . Has ordered light troops to prepare to march to Morristown. Instructs Pickering to have wagons ready for troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
9George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 1, 1781 . Instructs Pickering to set up plan for replacement of lost military articles, to provide the necessary “provision of tents, camp kettles and other articles for the next campaign,” and to check into behavior of the corps of artificers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is misdated, as H did not return to...
10From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received on my way from Philadelphia your favor of the 23d of March respecting the allowance of Servants to Officers in Your Department; I have taken the earliest opportunity of communicating to the Secretary at War my sentiments on the subject, and am with great regard Sir Your Most Obedt Servant DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
11From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 12 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you the Extract of a Letter from Major General Heath, of this day; and must again request, that the most vigorous and energetic Measures may be pursued for the transportation of Provisions to relieve the Garrison & the Army from the horrors of impending famine, & me from the incessant complaints and perplexities which are occasioned by our present disagreeable circumstances. I am...
12From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Washington presents his Compliments to Colonel Pickering, and requests the favor of his Company at dinner to day—The Duke de Lauzun will dine at Head Quarters. MHi : Timothy Pickering Papers.
13George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 10, 1781 . Recapitulates verbal directions given Pickering concerning teams, wagons, and boats. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The quantity of salted provision in the western part of Connecticut, being by your representation much less than was expected, it will certainly be expedient to bring forward that from Hartford, by the hired Teams, which you will be pleased to order accordingly. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
15From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you Extracts from the Observations of the Auditors and Clerks of Accounts, respecting the Issues of Provisions in your Department (transmitted to me by the Secretary at War), and request you to consider them and give me your Sentiments. I have the Honor to be, Sir, your most obedt Servt DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
16From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 23 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of this day before me. Altho I am not certain the Teams will be wanted so soon as the Middle of May, yet I think all things considered, it will be expedient to make your Arrangements so as to have them either in Camp at that time, or in such a situation as that they might be brought in immediately if necessary. I am Sir with great regard Your Most Obedt Servant DNA : RG...
17From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wish to know whether General Du Portail has made any Arrangements with you respecting Planks for Plattforms, and in that case, what Measures have been taken in consequence. General Du Portail will be able to inform what number of feet will be wanted, and General Knox at what Mills, and by what mode they may be favoured. I enclose a Copy of the Estimate of Articles, which will be required...
18From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the detachment now forming, pursues its object, it will be a strong additional motive against having deposits at, and upon the Morris Town road to this place; because the Troops now on that communication will be considerably reduced, without the means of replacing them. If therefore my former order on this head is not fully complied with no time should be lost in the completion of it. A...
19From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
To the Quarter Master General, or Deputy Qr Mr with the Army. In all cases on the present march, where the Draught Horses or Cattle of the Army shall fail, or where an addi ti onal number shall be absolutely necessary, & cannot be procured by hire, or in any other way except by Military Force; you are hereby authorised & directed to impress such numbers of Horses or Oxen as shall be required...
20From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you from Saratoga on the 26th Ulto to have all the Boats fit to be used in the western Waters repaired for that service; but since my return from the Northward I am informed the number will be very inferior to my expectation, especially as I directed early in the year to have them got in repair, and recollect no Counter-Order since that time. I have therefore to request that One...
21From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
There was never any regular formation of the department of Geographer to the Army, but to the best of my recollection Mr Erskine’s pay was to have been four dollars per day and that of his Assistants two dollars per day—Chain Bearers half a dollar per day and an allowance for the contingent expences of travelling when out of reach of the Magazine of the Army and for the purchase of the...
22XIV. George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have been directed to furnish the Commanding Officer of the Boats with materials for muffling the Oars. to pay particular attention that they are in good order—well provided with oars—mounted on good Carriages and in such a manner that they cannot be injured—that the Horses are with them by Thursday 12 OClock—that they are then removed through the Notch below the Mountain, there to remain...
23From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will please to take immediate measures to dissolve the chain of Dragoons, and discharge the Expresses stationed between this and Boston; assuring them and the People who have furnished Provisions & Forage that the Accounts will be paid as soon as they can be sent to Philadelphia and the Money obtained—Sheldon’s Dragoons are to join their Corps. An accurate state of the Expences properly...
24From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 24 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The bad state of affairs in your Department, is such as makes your presence indispensably necessary with the Army; The complaints of all, from the Major General to the lowest Staff Officer entitled to keep a Horse, are agravated to the highest possible degree, on account of the continual want of Forage—As a specimen of the distress, which has fallen under my own observation, you may be...
25From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Detachment of about 500 Men is to be sent to garrison the western Posts—A supply of Camp Equipage, also a considerable number of good Axes & Hatchets, with a few setts of Blacksmith’s, Armourer’s & Carpenter’s Tools will be wanted for the Troops, which may be employed on this Service—I must request you will immediately have these things provided, or repaired in the best manner, together with...
26From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have in contemplation a journey to Rhode Island, but previous to it, stand in need of a few articles from Philadelpa—which if obtained at all, must come soon. Is it in your power therefore, by the Morning, to provide me an Express on whose fidelity & dispatch I can absolutely depend? and can he, for the purpose of dispatch get fresh Horses on the communication? I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser....
27From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of getting forward what Flour is upon the communication urges me to a measure which I would not wish to adopt could it be avoided. It is, to make use of a part of a sum of Money sent to the pay master General by the State of Massachusetts purposely for the payment of the troops of that line. You will in consequence of this receive a Warrant for 9000 Dollars of the new emission,...
28From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Otis and Henley of Boston that they had, thro’ the interest of the State, procured upwards of forty teams which they had loaded and sent forward with Cloathing. They do not say how far the teams are to proceed, but, in all probability, no farther than Springfeild; at which place there is also a considerable quantity of Cloathing much wanted by the Army. The...
29From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Upon a view of the difference there will be in the expences between hiring & purchasing Ox Teams for the service of the next Campaign, exhibited in your Estimate; I am cleary of opinion they ought to be purchased if it is practicable—but it will be necessary for you to arrange this matter with the Superintendant of Finances; as well as to take early & effectual Measures to procure the number...
30From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 23d Janry on the subject of remounting the Regiments of Dragoons. It will be necessary to observe, that the Horses purchased for this service ought to be in size, strength, figure, & fleetness, capable of performing the duties for which they are designed. Otherwise the purchase Money will be thrown away, as has sometimes been the Case....
31From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have to request you will as soon as possible, give me an Estimate of all those things in your Department, (noting the expence of each in the best manner you are able) which will be requisite to enable the Army to take the field and to prosecute vigorous operations, in case the War should continue another Campaign; in this Estimate I would have comprehended particularly, the means of...
32From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Under the present circumstances of transportation from Connecticut, I should advise, that Mr Pomeroy should be sent immediately back to the several Towns, to announce the distresses of the Army for the want of that provision, the certainty of payment for the transportation, and the approach of a military force to carry into execution the impress of the Civil Majestrate—While this is doing, the...
33From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose to you a Letter for Major General Parsons; in which I have mentioned the return of a Detachment of about 80 Continental Troops, now at Danbury, and have suggested their being employed as an Escort to the Provisions to be forwarded from thence. The Commanding Officer will have Orders to afford every possible assistance to facilitate the transportation; and I must desire you will make...
34From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
One of my own Horses which I sent from Camp to be wintered—together with the Horses which usually carried my Canteens & Portmanteaus, I am informed are dead. These losses will occasion a call upon you for four, wch I should be glad to receive as soon as convenient. If there is a number to choose out of, two may be natural pacers (Horses or mares) the Canteens going easier on them—one of the...
35From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will take the earliest, and most efficacious Measures for the transportation of all the salted Provisions collected in the Towns westward of Connecticut River, to the Army. To facilitate this, I have written the enclosed Letter to His Excellency Govr Trumbull, requesting his influence, and assistance—which you will be pleased to forward, with the Dispatches for the Count De Rochambeau by...
36From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with yours of last evening; and cou’d wish that the present situation of the River might be improv’d to every advantage. Whatever Boats you think necessary may be order’d to Dobb’s ferry; but particular care must be taken, in the tra n sportation of Stores across the opposite Country, that they come in small convey’s, and no deposits made either at the ferry or on the...
37From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
York & Gloucester being fixed upon as places of Cantonment for the French Troops, it is necessary for that & other reasons, that the British Hospitals should be removed as soon as possible; and it being impracticable to do this to Fredericksburg wholly by Land, you will use every means in your power to send the sick & wounded to that place by Water. All the Troops from Pennsylvania to the...
38From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of intelligence just received from the Northward, that General Haldimand would not enter into any negociations with the Baron Steuben for delivering up the Western Posts, I find it proper to put a stop to all operations which are carrying on for the purpose of transporting Garrisons & Stores to them, this Fall; You will be pleased therefore to give directions for suspending all...
39From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
If you are not detained in Philaby unavoidable Means, and for valuable purposes, is it much my Wish that you should repair to this place as soon as it can be done conveniently. I am in total Ignorance of your powers and prospects of carrying the Army into the field—and indeed of many other Matters essential for me to know. The hourly Expectation I have had of seeing you with the Army, has...
40From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I inclose for your inspection, Original Letters from Major General Heath & Brigadier General Clinton, describing in the most forcible terms, the terrible prospect before them, and the inevitable disasters that must ensue, unless provisions are furnished (and that instantly) for the Troops and Garrisons in their respective Departments—when you have read these Letters you will be pleased to...
41From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 14 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I expect Mrs Washington now is, or soon will be, on her way to this place; I therefore put a letter to her, under cover to you; to be delivered on her arrival at Philadelphia. I perswade myself that no assistance which may be in your power to afford, either for her own, or the benefit of her Horses, will be wanting while she is in the City, or to expedite her journey to this place after she...
42From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 8 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
As soon as you have arranged Matters & sent on a Gentleman of your Department to mark out the different Stages & haltg Places, for the Horses & Teams on the followg Route—from hence to—Bald Friars—thence to—Bush— to—Baltimore Elk Ridge Landg Bladenburg George Town—from thence Falls of Rappahanack—avoidg Accoquan Ferry— to—Caroline Court House NewCastle— Williamsburg— You will come forward...
43From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not a doubt but that you will take the best care of all the Articles of Public Stores received by you from the Enemy; many of them will not perhaps be of immediate Necessity to the Army; those which are not, you will convert to the best benefit for the Public Account of the United States, to be appropriated to the Use of the Financier General, towards discharging the Debt, incurred upon...
44From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letter of yesterday I have to observe. although I am not so particularly acquainted with the different uses & conveniences of different kinds of water craft, as to be able to judge with accuracy of their respective utility from my own knowledge, yet from the reasons you have given, I am induced to believe that the advantage of Pettiangers over Batteaux & flat bottomed boats,...
45From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall set out in a day or two for Rhode Island. The command in my absence will devolve upon Major General Heath. I must request you will make every effort to enable the Commissary to throw as ample a supply of provisions as he can into the Garrison of West point, that it may not be exposed to any accident from a sudden investiture —and will do every thing else, that depends on you, to...
46From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to settle with the Engineer what Number of plank & other materials will be necessary for the proposed Operations of the Campaign—and as soon as this is ascertained you will make immediate & effectual provision for obtaining them in the earliest & best Manner. You will also take Measures to inform your self what Number & kinds of public Boats there may be remaing in any part...
47From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Alarming accounts of the state of Provisions at Fort Schuyler, having this moment been received, it is necessary that an instantaneous exertion should be made, to throw a supply into that Garrison—You will therefore, cause a transportation to be made, of 50 Barrels of Meat, and 50 Barrels of Flour to Albany, without a moments delay: the flour can be taken from the Magazine at New Windsor—the...
48From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the same time I again inform you, of the almost infinite importance it is, to have the Boats in immediate readiness for use, I must request and entreat that no exertions, on your part, may be wanting to put them instantly in that state: if there is any thing in my power which will tend to expedite, this so necessary business, I wish to be informed, that measures may be taken accordingly. I...
49From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 17 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been greatly disappointed in not seeing you before my departure from this place—in consequence of your absence I have been obliged to send one of your Assists to the Northward to make provision for garrisoning the Western Posts—as that business could be delayed no longer—I need not say how much more satisfactory it would have been that the execution of this important business should...
50From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The supply of flour for the Army must be kept up regularly, And the Means of transportation must be calculated accordingly. Should all other expedients for bringing on the flour from Ringwood, Warwick and the Deposits on the communication from Pennsylvania, prove abortive—Should the Justices refuse to issue Warrants for the impress of Teams—or should their Warrants not be attended with...