4 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Writes that time is passing and he does not have any new artificers to help construct the new barracks to house the infantry. Colonel [John] Crane's party is stationed in the woods, and will want teams (he may be referring to oxen) to "begin to draw the timber to the water side tomorrow or next day." Major Villefranche also will want teams to draw timber for the barracks on Constitution Island. Expects all of the hauling of timber to occupy twelve teams, and would like to know when and where the teams are gathering.

GLC02437.01640

5 October 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Colonel Pickering as Quartermaster General to Major General Knox. Reports that Major Cogswell will have 2 good teams sent today to haul the frame for the barrack at Constitution Island. Says 4 more teams will be added as soon as they arrive from the country with their forage. Says if the timber is hewed in the woods to sizes, Major Cogswell believes the 6 teams can haul the frames to the landings in 6 or 8 days. Hopes the enemy's movements will not interrupt the construction of accommodations for the troops. Says the "artificers" of Parsell's Company were to arrive yesterday at…

GLC02437.01645

8 October 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Writes that he does not have enough teams and artificers yet at West Point. Asks Pickering to work on obtaining them and reports that he has assigned Mr. [Daniel] Carthy to help.

GLC02437.01648

22 October 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. In response to recent letters from Knox (see GLC02437.01640 and GLC02437.01648), Colonel Pickering, the Quartermaster General, writes, "When the mind is eager in the pursuit of any object, it is apt to decide hastily, without fully inquiring into facts. I have often fallen into this error myself, and as often resolved to be more cautious in future. I can therefore easily account for and excuse the censure implied in your letter." Explains that he is aware of the health of the ox teams hauling materials for the Constitution…

GLC02437.01675

4 November 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Signature has been clipped, but author Colonel Timothy Pickering is mentioned in the docket. Writes, "Agreeably to our mutual determination when last I had the pleasure of seeing you, I am content to receive Mr. Moses Dean again into my department, and to be responsible for his pay, which is to be equal to the monthly pay of a lieutenant in Capt. Patton's [perhaps Thomas Patten's] company of artificers. If you please this pay may commence the fifth day of the present month. I will thank you for a certificate that he will from that day be omitted in the pay-rolls of Capt. Patton's company."

GLC02437.01699

10 November 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Writes that Sergeant [Moses] Dean will be transfered to Colonel Pickering's regiment from 5 November, as he requested (see GLC02437.01699). Mentions that Major Campbell will "make you acquainted with our difficulties respecting teams." Describes plans to transport the line.

GLC02437.01705

31 January 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Quartermaster General Colonel Pickering to Major General Knox. References Knox's letter of 29 January, which was about collecting wood for firewood and bomb proofs at West Point. Says it appears to be impracticable. Knox said that 48 yoke of oxen would be needed for 50 snow days to move the wood. Claims there will not be 50 days of snow left this winter. Goes on to describe other logistical problems, including lack of money and forage for the oxen. Suggests that if hired Masons; and soldiers work in June and forage on the spot and the job could be done for half the cost. "Public…

GLC02437.01875

2 March 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the possible use of two gun-boats for the "wood service." Describes that they are, as of yet, not fit for use as they "have very little rigging & no sails, except square-sails just sufficient to enable them to move with the wind & tide in their favour." States that to make them sea-worthy enough for Knox's purpose would incur a larger expense than it would warrant. "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.01970

15 April 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a list of items ordered from Philadelphia and informs Knox that the wagon carrying the items should arrive at any day.

GLC02437.02088

24 April 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the rations and clothing given to bargemen in the Army and requests better conditions for them. Pickering explains that the men of the Newburgh packet feel that they should have the same benefits as that of the crew on the commander-in-chief's barge, whose "duty is very light." Pickering suggests he and Knox apply jointly for comparable benefits for the "West Point packet."

GLC02437.02112

24 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

In response to an earlier letter from Pickering (see GLC02437.02112), Knox suggests they jointly apply for extra pay for the barge crew rather than extra clothing.

GLC02437.02114

7 June 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks on behalf of other quarter masters what they should do with spare ammunition as the "brigades in this vicinity are dissolved and dissolving." "On public service" written on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.02152

18 June 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the movement of a group of boats from West Point headed for Newburgh, New York, that stopped in New Windsor along the way. Also writes to Knox about the weather in regards to a departure time and exposing the men to the heat.

GLC02437.02169

8 September 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the maintenance of "the great chain" and whether the military should sell it, as they are in need of funds at the moment.

GLC02437.02481

28 September 1783

Pettengill, Joseph, 1753-1833

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States "Ensign Wardswell, has my approbation for taken with him, Peter Oliver who is at present useless to service..." Wardswell, of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment was apparently unfit for service to do "bodily indisposition," and was recommended for furlough. See GLC02437.02577.

GLC02437.02574

3 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to hire more wagoners to "drive the teams which are transporting wood."

GLC02437.02610

16 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Believes that a guard at Newburgh is not necessary. Mentions that men have been dispatched to secure the public wood at New Windsor and discusses the details of that. Needs to refill the wood supply at Newburgh and states a sergeant and 12 men will cut up fallen trees.

GLC02437.02662

17 October 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Discusses the issue of providing firewood for various forts along the Hudson, specifically Stony and Verplanck's Point. Asks if it is possible for those two places to obtain their own wood from the surrounding areas. Retained copy prepared for Knox's files, copied out entirely in the hand of Knox's aide-de-camp John Lillie. Docket in the hand of John Lillie.

GLC02437.02663

17 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for sending wood to Verplanck's and Stony Points. "Public service" written on address leaf with no signature. Docketed by Knox.

GLC02437.02671

20 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of a violent storm that knocked down tents for the wood cutters. Mentions sending people to Kings Ferry to look for wood and thanks Knox for granting them permission to cut wood in the surrounding area.

GLC02437.02689

24 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that due to poor weather, he had to break up several teams of men who were transporting wood to New Windsor and that he increased their pay as compensation.

GLC02437.02704

30 October 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that Mr. Denniston has applied to him for boards but that he is unable to purchase any. Plans on pulling down buildings at Wappings [Wappingers] Creek to use for board. Teams will haul the wood to the Point [West Point]. Mentions in the postscript that there are five travelling forges at Newburgh that he is reluctant to sell because they are "particularly related to the artillery."

GLC02437.02725

1 November 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of the wastefulness of the guard and servants who are watching over General William Howe's quarters.

GLC02437.02743

2 November 1783

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that a shipment of supplies has arrived and that others are expecting him to procure additional supplies to feed the riding horses, though this is not part of his duty. Asks Knox to clarify the matter and explains his delay in sending the boards. Noted as sent "On Public Service."

GLC02437.02750

2 November 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

Discusses the term of service for men responsible for the upkeep of the roads and obtaining firewood.

GLC02437.02751