To George Washington from Peter Scull, 1 April 1779
From Peter Scull
War-Office [Philadelphia] 1st April 1779
Sir.
I have it in command from the Board to transmit your Excellency the inclosed extract of a Letter from Lt Colonel White of the Dragoons; and to request your Opinion on the propriety of arming the Regiment in the manner he points out.1 I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Very hb. Serv.
P. Scull Secretary
ALS, DLC:GW. Although Robert Hanson Harrison docketed the letter in part, “ansd 3,” GW actually replied to this letter in his letter to the Board of War of 4 April.
1. The enclosed extract from Lt. Col. Anthony Walton White’s letter to the Board of War of 25 March reads: “Mr Henry assures me he can procure for the Regiment before they take the Field a sufficient number of blunderbusses—We having no Carbines, I beg your honorable Board will grant me this indulgence, as I am convinced they will be of infinite more service than either Carbines or pistols; the expence will be triffling as they are made out of old Musquetts & in such a manner that they are full as light as Carbines, & much more convenient—Your taking this matter into consideration and sending an order to Mr Henry to supply the Regiment with what they may want, & get the Blunderbusses, Belts & Cartridge Boxes will give great satisfaction to the Regiment” (DLC:GW). William Henry, a noted gunsmith from Lancaster County, Pa., had been appointed superintendent of arms and military accoutrements by the Board of War in April 1778.