Major General Alexander McDougall to George Washington, 30 June 1781
From Major General Alexander McDougall
West Point June 30th 1781.
Sir,
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 28th instant,1 a Memorandum this Morning, and a Letter of the Secretary’s this Afternoon.2 All the Assistance in my power, is given to expedite the Baking of the Bread. That in Store, and half the Pork hath been ordered down, but the want of Craft has detained those Articles. The Memorandum directed, three Light field Pieces to be sent to the Army, but no other description was given; and as there are Sixes in Camp, I concluded those ordered must be of a smaller Calibre. None of this kind being in Garrison, I have dispatched an express to the Park for them. The Secretarys Letter orders two pieces down, one of which to be a twelve Pounder, but no description of the Latter, whether field, or Battering, and both are common to Service, and both Sorts are in Garrison. I have ordered one medium twelve to be got ready, which will be sent down, with two light Pieces, with all possible dispatch, but I fear, some delay for want of proper Boats, and I have no horses to move them.
Your Excellency may rest assured that every order to this Post, will be executed as speedily as it will be in the power,3 of Your Excellencys most humble Servant
Alexr McDougall
LS, DLC:GW; ADf, NHi: McDougall Papers. McDougall signed the cover of the LS.
1. See GW to McDougall, 28 June.
2. GW’s secretary Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., wrote McDougall from headquarters at Peekskill on this date: “A Memorandum was sent you this Morng—for a Captain 2 Subs. fifty Men of Artillery, with two light Peices to be sent to this Place—The General now desires you will let one of the Peices be a Twelve Pounder” (DLC:GW). The memorandum has not been found.
3. GW replied to McDougall from headquarters at Peekskill on this date: “I have just recd your favor of this date.
“As the Artillery Men are wanted for a particular purpose, I request you to have them sent down this Night & not wait for the Peices of Artillery, unless You can immediately find the Means of conveyance for the 12 Pounder. Let the Officer report himself at Head Quarters when he arrives” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).