Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys wrote Uriah Mitchell, assistant deputy quartermaster at Newburgh, N.Y., from headquarters at New Windsor on this date: “The Duke de Lauzun will set out for New Port, by day break to morrow Morning. His Excellency requests therefore that you will not fail to have as good a Horse as you can procure ready for the Duke by that time at Fish Kill Landing, and also a person with another Horse to attend upon him and bring back the former, As the Duke proposes exchanging Horses at Storms’s or the next stage beyond where he shall be able to do it. If you shall not be able to procure very good Horses (which the General wishes) you will be pleased to provide the best you can, punctually by the time, and send the enclosed note instantly to Major Keese—(otherwise destroy it). The urgency of the service as well as Civility require attention to the Matter; and I will thank you to be informed by the bearer what may be depended upon that there may be no misapprehension or delay.” Humphreys enclosed a letter to John Keese, assistant deputy quartermaster at Fishkill, also written on this date, with the same request to provide a horse and attendant for Brigadier General Lauzun. It closed: “The Commander in Cheif desires you will not fail on any account whatever” (both DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 25724). For Lauzun’s visit, see GW to Rochambeau, 4 June, and n.10.

Q.M. Gen. Timothy Pickering wrote Humphreys from Newburgh on this date: “It is unfortunate I had not been apprized of the Duke de lauzun’s intentions to set out for Newport tomorrow at day break, that I might have informed you of my situation in regard to horses. I have Stripped almost every Staff officer at the post of his horse if a public one; and there is scarcely a decent riding horse belonging to the public in the department. There was one public team which arrived two or three days since from Easton, which I was obliged to break in upon to supply Capt. Hicks of the York Line agreeably to the General’s order communicated by you today. One of my own riding horses I gave to Major Platt this morning to enable him to go with the public dispatches to philada. The Expresses horses have been so often called to answer the orders for horses from Hd Quarters that there is scarcely one left fit to ride; There is one public horse in the hands of Mister Forbes the Commissy of hides: I have sent to see if he is within reach. If he is I will send him & another of my own horses to Fishkill Landing as early as possible to morrow morning, tho’ perhaps they may not arrive by day light tho I will endeavour that they shall, I have sent orders to have a Petteauger and the Ferrymen ready by two OClock in the morning.

“Three quarters past ten, my Messenger has returned, Mister Forbes is not at home nor can anybody tell where his horse is to be found. I will send an express with the Duke de Lauzun & as I suspect that not one of the express horses remaining is capable of a rapid journey I shall probably be obliged to Send both of my own horses. I shall know when the express I have sent for comes in. The Duke however shall not be disappointed. I presume he has a saddle. I shall however send one to Fishkill Landing; I would be in vain to attempt getting a horse of Major Keese, he has none at the post, so I have not sent the note to him. … P.S. The express is come & fortunately has a good horse which with mine will answer the duke’s purpose.” Pickering then wrote Lauzun on the same date, 11:00 P.M.: “The bearer Mister Lyons, one of my expresses, waits on you with a horse for your journey eastward. He will attend you till you exchange horses, & then return” (both DNA: RG 93, Records of Quartermaster General Timothy Pickering, 1780–87). See also GW to Benjamin Hicks, this date, and the source note to that document.