1To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 1775 (Washington Papers)
Convinced of the utility, the necessity, at all times, of a well disciplined militia, to every free state; when the united wisdom of the continent, referring to the contest with the parent kingdom, called on every colony to prepare for the most unhappy events; and the more immediate recommendations of our provincial congress demanded a diligent application to the military art; deeming the...
2To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
’Tis with real pain I ask your Excellency’s attention (engaged as it is in affairs of such vast importance) to the subject of this letter: but justice, & compassion to the distressed (not to say the injured) compel me to do it. The bearer Capt. McGlathry about a month since was coming from the eastward with a load of wood, bound to Salem, but was taken by a man of war, & afterwards retaken by...
3From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday I received, and am sorry to hear that the Quota of Militia which the Town of Salem was to furnish, by Resolve of the Honorable General Court can not be had. The Generous tender of Services made by you Sir & the rest of the Volunteers, claims a return of my sincere thanks. Should I have an occasion to call upon them, I shall do It; At present I wish them to Continue at...
4From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 30 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Office of Adjutant General being vacant by the resignation of Colo. Reed, and the power of appointing a Successor with me, I am induced from the good opinion I entertain of your attachment to the interests of the United States and your Military character, not only to make a tender, but most heartily to wish your acceptance of it. It will give me much pleasure if the Offer meets your...
5To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I esteem it a singular honour done me by your Excellency in offering me the post of Adjutant General, and it pains me sensibly that I am obliged to decline it. ’Tis an honour to which I did not aspire, because I did not account myself equal to the important business of the office. Your Excellency does not mistake my attachment to the interests of the United States; ’tis sincere & unalterable....
6To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent by the express an answer to your letter respecting the office of adjutant general, & gave what appeared to me sufficient reasons to excuse my declining to accept it; but have since been uneasy, lest you should deem them otherwise; & that I was too willing, under the civil offices I sustain, to shelter myself from the dangers & fatigues of war. An opinion which, if it has taken place, I...
7From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th & 14th instants. Upon the Receipt of the first I had no hopes of seeing you in the department which I wished, but by the latter I am pleased to find, that upon a full reconsideration of the matter, you had determined to accept of the office of Adjutant General, provided it had not been disposed of. I am obliged to you for the free manner in which you unbosom...
8To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your Excellency’s letter by Col. Lee, conferring upon me the office of adjutant general: And since, notwithstanding all my objections, ’tis your Excellency’s pleasure, I am happy to declare my acceptance of it. At the same time I am constrained, from my real feelings; again to express my fears that I shall fall short of your Excellency’s expectations. Few people are...
9To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 12 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
It often happens that soldiers are discharged without being paid off, or furnished with a certificate of what is their due. A number of such men have been discharged lately by General McIntosh. One of them is now at the board, & presents an account of twenty one pounds & upwards, due to him for wages. As he has been long at the hospital, ’tis not improbable the demand is just; yet we cannot...
10To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 19 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed copy of a letter from Thomas Smith Esqr. will inform you of the distressed condition of the frontiers of this state. The counties of Westmoreland & Northumberland are equally exposed with Bedford. Other accounts correspond with that of Mr Smith, & shew that a general stroke is greatly to be apprehended; and that in addition to the barbarous savages, the disaffected inhabitants are...
11From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 23 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 19th inst. with its enclosures on the subject of the Indian voyages upon the Western frontier. Previous to the Receipt of it, I had put that part of the 13th Virginia Regt, which remained here under marching orders, with an intent of sending them to Fort Pitt, as they were raised in that county. Immediately upon receiving the account of the alarming...
12To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Armstrong arrived here yesterday with some necessaries for the North Carolina troops, among them 2768 blankets: but the whole being stowed in four waggons, I was led to inquire of the size of the blankets, & find they are so narrow that two must be sewed together to make one. Genl McIntosh informed me that the North Carolina brigade was already nearly supplied with blankets. This induced...
13From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 9th instant. I have directed the Blankets to be brought forward to Camp, after the North Carolinians are supplied the remainder shall be distributed among the troops who most want —The draughts from the Army for Teamsters, Mechanics and persons of different occupations are so great, that our return, upon command, amounts to almost half the effective fit for duty....
14To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates has written to Congress describing his distressed situation from the want of men, money, arms, provisions &c. We were surprized at the mention of arms ; for by a return made in February it appeared that better than 2000 stands were then at Albany, fit for service; and the board have never given any order respecting them. Colo. Malcom says a quantity were sent from thence lately...
15From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored yesterday with the Boards Letter of the 19th Instant. From the apprehensions of the public of an Indian war in the western department, and the earnest applications of General McIntosh for Troops, I was induced the 15 of the month to detach Durkee’s & Ransom’s companies for that command. I am told by Lt Buck that they are halted at Lancaster. As they are detached from this Army,...
16To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning it occurred to me that very little if any of the cloathing at Springfield had been sent forward to the main army; and that as six brigades will perhaps remain here or in the neighbourhood for some time; or at least may not return soon to the westward, it may be best to order a sufficiency of the cloathing for them to be stopped, which will save an expensive carriage of a hundred...
17To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Justice and the Public Interest require that all Allowances engaged to the Army should be punctually paid; We regret that the precautions which sometimes seem necessary to prevent frauds to the United States, often cause such Delays as eventually deprive the Soldiers of the Benefits promised them; We are led to make these Observations from the present Application of a pay Master in Behalf of...
18To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 16 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the happiness to inform you that the box, containing the orderly books & some returns, which has been so long missing is found. It was carried to Reading, from whence it was lately brought to this city with Genl Mifflin’s papers. ’tis now at the War Office, & waits your orders. I am desired by the board to remind your Excellency of their request to know your sentiments relative to the...
19To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Timothy Pickering, 5 March 1779. GW wrote Pickering on 10 March : “I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures.”
20From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures. I have communicated the resolve of Congress respecting the pay of supernumerary officers to the Auditor of accounts for the goverment of his conduct. In case there are any quantity of shoes, at the different manufactories under the direction of the board, I could wish them to be forwarded to camp as soon as possible. as also...
21To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779. GW wrote to Pickering on 20 March : “I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit.”
22From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 20 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit —As there is no probability of an attempt upon that post at this time, I should not think it prudent to send the Artillery required and necessary Stores just now, but as we do not know what an unlooked for turn in the affairs...
23From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I shall have occasion to remove Colo. Rawlins’s Corps from Fort Frederick in Maryland, (where they are guarding the prisoners,) to Fort Pitt, I must request the Board to call upon Governor Johnston of Maryland to furnish a Militia Guard to releive Colo. Rawlins. I wish no time may be lost in making the requisition, and that the Governor may be informed of the necessity of sending the Releif...
24From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I must request the Board to give orders to have a considerable number of Cartridges made up with Buck Shott and Ball, indeed it might not be amiss to have all from this time made up in that manner. I wish to be informed what number of Hunting Shirts are on hand and where they are lodged—There are none among the Cloathing in Camp—and but 500 in the Store at Fishkill. If there are any more, they...
25To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
yours of the 22d inst. came to hand yesterday evening. I immediately sent orders to the Clothier General to send on to camp without delay all the shirts, over-alls & blankets in his possession, reserving only so many as were necessary to answer the orders given for supplying Colo. Proctors & Colo. Hartley’s regiments. The Clothier General informs me there will then remain but about 150...
26To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last evening an express arrived here from Charlestown, which place he left the 23d of June. He brought a letter of that date to the honble Mr Laurens, who gave the following extract, viz. “General Lincoln having received such intelligence of the intentions, strength & position of the enemy as rendered it advisable to attack them at Stono Ferry, did so on the 20th inst., about 7 o’clock in the...
27To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon arrived here the armed Cutter Royal George of 14 guns, prize to the Pickering of Salem. Coming addressed to me, a number of private letters found on board fell into my hands. Some of them contained intelligence which seemed of importance sufficient to be communicated to your Excellency. I have therefore made in haste the inclosed extracts. The private sentiments & anecdotes...
28To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will doubtless ere this reaches you, have been informed that Congress have been pleased to appoint me quarter master general. This was so totally unexpected, that it will take me some days yet before I can get ready to proceed to camp. In the mean time I shall make some necessary arrange⟨m⟩ents for conducting the business of the de⟨pa⟩rtment in this state and the other states s⟨ou⟩thward...
29To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 28 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sensible how mortifying is Disappointment especially when the Object of our wishes is almost within our Grasp; aware that the supposed Cause of the Disappointment is ever the Subject of Censure and Resentment; and fearing your Excellency will deem me greatly culpable for the Failure of the late Enterprize of the Light Infantry; I beg you will do me the Favor to read the Orders I gave on the...
30To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the arrangement lately made by Congress, and announced in general Orders, I observe that there is to be but one Regiment of artificers; and it is directed that this regiment be furnished by the State of Pennsylvania. I am in doubt whether this refers to Colonel Baldwins regiment only, or is intended to comprehend his & Colonel Flower’s regiment of artillery artificers; by uniting them, &...
31From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice from Otis and Henley of Boston that they had, thro’ the interest of the State, procured upwards of forty teams which they had loaded and sent forward with Cloathing. They do not say how far the teams are to proceed, but, in all probability, no farther than Springfeild; at which place there is also a considerable quantity of Cloathing much wanted by the Army. The...
32To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Four days ago I sent off an express to Springfield & Boston with letters to Otis & Henley—the Clothier at Springfield, Colo. Jabez Hatch my deputy at Boston, & to Mr Tuckerman his Assistant at Springfield—in all representing the naked condition of the troops, the near approach of winter, and the necessity of their instant exertions to forward the cloathing at both places to Newburgh. I had...
33George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] November 22, 1780 . Sends instructions for preparation of boats for the attack. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
34XIV. George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 22 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have been directed to furnish the Commanding Officer of the Boats with materials for muffling the Oars. to pay particular attention that they are in good order—well provided with oars—mounted on good Carriages and in such a manner that they cannot be injured—that the Horses are with them by Thursday 12 OClock—that they are then removed through the Notch below the Mountain, there to remain...
35George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 1, 1781 . Instructs Pickering to set up plan for replacement of lost military articles, to provide the necessary “provision of tents, camp kettles and other articles for the next campaign,” and to check into behavior of the corps of artificers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is misdated, as H did not return to...
36From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The tranquility of winter quarters and the important change about to take place in our Military establishment offer a favourable opportunity to introduce system and order into the Army: and to effect a reformation of the abuses, which may have imperceptably crept into the several departments. That our circumstances require parsimony in the distribution of public stores, and the strictest...
37To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
This moment has been handed to me the inclosed copy of General Heath’s “Garrison orders” issued at West Point, apparently with a design to regulate the public issues at Fishkill; but which, if carried into execution, will unhinge all public business there, & go near to dissolve my department in the state. They were issued, I am warranted to say, at the instigation of Colo. Hazen, whose...
38To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
In a memorandum of your Excellency’s which I recd at Totowa is the following—“Ox teams to be provided & used the next campaign.” In a resolution of Congress of the 10th of November is the following paragraph. “That if it be deemed preferable by the commander in chief that a proportion of the public horses should be disposed of for draught oxen, to be provided for the ensuing campaign, he be...
39From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 21 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I directed Col. Humphrys the day before yesterday, to request you to have the beef salted in bulk at the several places on the River immediately transported by water, or (if impracticable) by land, to West Point, the matter has become more urgent, and the delay every Moment more dangerous. You will therefore take such measures as will be effectual for the purpose; and also to keep up the...
40From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My horses, I am told, have not had a mouthful of long or short forage for three days. They have eaten up their mangers and are now (though wanted for immediate use) scarcely able to stand. I should be glad to know if there is any prospect of relief for them. I am etc. Fitzpatrick, Writings John C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources,...
41To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote last evening to Mr Humphrys, & gave him an account of my expectations respecting forage. The uncommon badness of the roads (either very rough or very miry) has prevented the farmers bringing in the forage the Justices of Ulster & Orange agreed to furnish & have in fact assessed: The present snow will enable them to come in. For instant relief to your Excellency’s horses I directed Mr...
42From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this date is before me—When I wrote to Colo. Lutterloh I had no knowledge of your letter to Humphrey on the score of Forage. That which Roberts may get will, it is to be hoped serve till the farmers (enabled by the Snow) can bring in more—At any rate I cannot avail Myself of your private Stock. I shall be obliged to you for sending me by Eight oclock tomorrow Morning a Sleigh, pair of...
43To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 26 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Of the seventeen teams impressed by Justice Chandler for the artillery, tents & intrenching tools, five only came in, & those too late to draw the artillery, which I completed with Continental horses by breaking up three double teams. The five single teams which came in I have caused to be loaded with two horsemans tents—75 common tents—& 75 axes besides two crow bars. These will go about six...
44From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have in contemplation a journey to Rhode Island, but previous to it, stand in need of a few articles from Philadelpa—which if obtained at all, must come soon. Is it in your power therefore, by the Morning, to provide me an Express on whose fidelity & dispatch I can absolutely depend? and can he, for the purpose of dispatch get fresh Horses on the communication? I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser....
45From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 23d Janry on the subject of remounting the Regiments of Dragoons. It will be necessary to observe, that the Horses purchased for this service ought to be in size, strength, figure, & fleetness, capable of performing the duties for which they are designed. Otherwise the purchase Money will be thrown away, as has sometimes been the Case....
46To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Timothy Pickering, 9 Feb. 1781. On this date, GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Pickering: “The General has anticipated the subject of your letter of this day” (see Pickering to GW, this date , source note).
47To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last evening I received the inclosed letter from Colo. Lutterloh, which I think it my duty to lay before your Excellency. It describes a practice not new: but which I hoped to remedy by possitive injunctions to the state agents to deliver none except to the order of the Commissary of Forage, who has repeatedly written to the agents to that effect. The abuse however continues; and in some cases...
48George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 10, 1781 . Recapitulates verbal directions given Pickering concerning teams, wagons, and boats. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
49From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed instructions were begun though not completed at the time they are dated; but the disturbances in the Army withdrew my attention from them and prevented their delivery ’till this time. For your satisfaction I shall here recapitulate the verbal directions given you in answer to your letter of the 14th of January—If my memory should fail me in any article which may affect your...
50George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 14, 1781 . Is going to Rhode Island. States that command of the Army will devolve on Major General William Heath. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.