George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 24 June 1781
To Colonel Timothy Pickering
New Windsor June 2[4]th 81
Dr Sir,
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.1 These losses will occasion a call upon you for four, wch I should be glad to receive as soon as convenient.2
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 other two3 is only to go the length of4 Phila. with Mrs Washington—one of whose Carriage Horses is, I fear, too lame to perform the Journey. To supply his place, a bay—tolerably likely—and used to drawing would be prefered—If I could get this Horse to day so as to enable Mrs Washington to leave this in the Morning5 I could wait a few days for the others. I am Sir Yr Most Obt Sert
Go: Washington
ALS, NN: Washington Collection; ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. All versions of this letter are misdated 25 June. GW signed the cover of the ALS, which Pickering docketed: “June 24. 1781. recd & answd 24th.” Pickering’s reply has not been found, but the actions he took on 24 June indicate its transmittal on that date and misdating on GW’s part (see n.5 below).
1. For GW’s canteens and portmanteaus, see General Orders, this date, source note.
2. GW initially wrote “possible” on his draft but struck out that word and wrote “convenient” above the line.
3. At this place on his draft, GW wrote and struck out “(if I should want him at all).”
4. GW wrote “as far as” on his draft rather than the previous three words.
5. Instead of the preceding five words, GW wrote “set out tomorrow” on his draft. Martha Washington left headquarters on 25 June for Philadelphia, where she stopped on her return to Virginia (see the entry for 25 June in , 3:382; see also Theodorick Bland to GW, 2 July).
Pickering wrote Maj. Thomas Cogswell, wagonmaster general, from Newburgh, N.Y., on 24 June: “General Washington wants four horses, two may be natural pacers (horses or mares) the canteens going easier on them—one other I Suppose is only for a Servant. But the fourth is wanted for Mrs Washington to put in her carriage to go as far as Philada, one of hers being lame. He should be a bay the likeliest that can be found, & used to drawing if such a one can be met with. Be pleased to Select four horses for the above purposes & Send them to Head Quarters: The one for Mrs Washington to be Sent to day & the other if convenient” (DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 30821). Jacob Hiltzheimer, superintendent of the Continental stables in Philadelphia, wrote in his diary entry for 30 June: “Lady Washington arrived here from camp” (, 45). Hiltzheimer signed a receipt on the same date: “Received of Lady Washingtons Coach Man a brown Horse, Public Property” (Revolutionary War Receipt Book, 25 Feb. 1781–June 1783, DLC:GW, ser. 5). GW reported the expense of Martha Washington’s travel to the winter encampment at New Windsor and “back to Virginia from thence when the Army took the Field—includg a few days stay in Phila.” as £85 (Revolutionary War Expense Account, 1775–1783, DLC:GW, ser. 5).
In a letter written at Murderers Creek, N.Y., on 22 June and probably addressed to GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman, Charles Stewart, commissary general of issues, detailed concerns about obtaining provisions with the army “ordered to take the Field.” He suggested that he “could keep pace with Mrs Washington and Doctor Craik to Pitts Town which I would wish & return with Craik to Camp, & provided I go on this business should be glad to have a list from you of what may be necessary for the Use of His Excellencys Table the supplys for which have been so uncertain and insufficient that it has Often vexed Me I think great Numbers must call on You this Campaign—If You make an Estimate I will endeavour to have it compleated Or if You think I can do it myself—I will make an essay” (MH: Stewart Papers).