George Washington to the Board of War, 20 April 1781
To the Board of War
Head Quarters New Windsor 20th April 1781
Gentlemen
Inclosed is an estimate of Military Stores which will be necessary at Fort Pitt—it is formed partly upon the requisition of the Commanding Officer of Artillery there—but cheifly upon a presumption that a considerable quantity of the larger species of Stores will be expended by Colo. Clarke in an expedition against—Detroit1—At the request of the State of Virginia, I gave an order upon the Commandant of Fort Pitt for the Artillery &c. necessary for the undertaking2—I would wish the Articles might be forwarded as expeditiously as possible.
The Marquis de la Fayette has informed me that he had sent Colo. Barber to Philada to make application to the Board for light Cloathing for his detachment—previous to knowing that I had sent from hence 1200 shirts—1200 linen Overalls—1200 pairs of shoes—1200 socks and 100 Hunting shirts purposely for them and about 900 Hunting shirts and 3000 pair of socks for the southern Army in general3—The Deputy Cloathier has likewise ordered about 4000 pr of shoes which were in Jersey to be sent to Philada for the southern Army—But notwithstanding these supplies I would wish the Board to forward all the light Cloathing and shoes that they can possibly procure—and with the greatest expedition, as by the last accounts from General Greene he was exceedingly distressed for those Articles.4
Inclosed you have the returns of the Officers of Rawlins’s Corps and Heths independent Company which were reformed by the late arrangement.5
Colo. procter of the 4th Regt of Artillery having resigned the command of that Regiment by the present mode of promotion will devolve upon the eldest Leiut. Colo. in the line of Artillery—I think Lieutt Colo. Carrington but this you may know by referring to the Register Colo. Procters Resignation bears date the 18th Inst.6 I have the honor to be &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The board replied to GW on 30 April.
1. The enclosed document has not been identified, but it likely included items given in Brig. Gen. Henry Knox’s estimate to GW dated 19 April and titled “Stores necessary to be sent to Fort Pitt, supposing those of the same species now there will be expended in an intended expedition.” It listed for 8-inch artillery: 200 shells, 40 case shot, 250 full-length fuses for the shells, 300 tubes, and 250 empty flannel cartridges. For 5½-inch artillery: 400 shells, 60 case shot, 500 full-length fuses, 500 flannel cartridges, and 500 tubes. For 3-pounders: 300 round shot fixed with flannel cartridges, paper caps, and cylinders; 60 case shot fixed the same as the round shot; and 500 tubes. For 6-pounders: 400 round shot fixed with flannel cartridges, 100 case shot also fixed with flannel cartridges, 600 tubes, 800 loose round shot, 200 grapeshot, and 1,000 empty paper cartridges. The estimate also listed 300 pounds of slow match; 10 dozen portfires; 20 pounds of mealed powder; 600 fuses for hand grenades; 12 pounds “kitt”; 4 “kitt” brushes; 100 pounds of sulphur; 20 skeins of marline; 20 pounds of brown thread; 4 lanternes (gunpowder ladles); 6 gunner’s belts; 6 tube boxes and belts; 1 perpendicular (gunner’s level); 2 gunner’s quadrants; 2,000 sponge tacks; 15,000 musket and rifle flints; 2,000 screws for bullets; 12 sheepskins; 6 tanned hides; 12 sets of men’s harness; 24 sets of drum cord; and 200 rifled muskets. Knox added: “N.B. A considerable number of the above stores are requested by the commandant of artillery at Fort Pitt, with the approbation of the commanding officer at the post—also—two carpenters[,] two wheelwrights & two blacksmiths with their tools, which will be necessary, for the repairs of carriages platforms, &ca in that department. …
“By a late return from the board of war, there are 15000 lbs powder at Fort Pitt; which will be sufficient to supply what may be wanted for the intended expedition, and for the articles mentioned in this estimate” (DS, DLC:GW).
For the requisition of the commanding officer of artillery at Fort Pitt, Pa., see Daniel Brodhead to GW, 18 Feb., n.4.
2. See Thomas Jefferson to GW, 13 Dec. 1780, and GW to Brodhead, 29 December.
3. See Lafayette to GW, 12 April 1781, and GW to Lafayette, 22 April (first letter), and n.3 to that document.
4. See Nathanael Greene to GW, 13 Jan. and 15 February.
5. These returns have not been identified. For the new arrangement of the army, see General Orders, 1 Nov. 1780.
6. For this resignation, see Thomas Proctor to GW, 9 April.