To Alexander Hamilton from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 18 January 1781
From Colonel Timothy Pickering
[Newburgh, New York] Jany. 18. 1781.
Dr. Sir
In my conversation with the General about the ox-teams to be provided for the next campaign, I forgot one capital question. At what time shall the teams be ready to join the army? Or rather (as they will be collected at different distances) on what day shall they be engaged to be at any certain Rendezvous? They will have only pasturage for their support, which will not be sufficient till towards the last of May or first of June. As they can only be procured on hire, the later they assemble, consistent with the service, the better.1Be pleased to favour me with his Excellency’s determination by Millet.2
Yr most obed. servt
T. Pickering Q M G
Colo. Hamilton
ALS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress; also LC, RG 93, Letters of Col. T. Pickering, National Archives; copy, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
1. On verso H wrote the following endorsement: “Ox teams to rendezvous the middle of may.”
2. Joseph Millet, Pickering’s servant.