To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 November 1782
Newburgh Novr 4. 1782.
Sir,
To render it practicable to support the horses indispensably necessary with the army, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of sending to a distance in the Country the surplus riding horses without delay. My ability to provide forage is not increased, but lessened, by the non-payment of the bills of exchange put into my hand for that among other purposes. I submit to your Excellency’s determination whether the following allowances will not be adequate to the usual services in Winter Quarters, and whether a farther reduction will be proper.
To a Major General
2
each of his aids
1
Brigadier General
2
his aid
1
Each field Officer
1
Captain of Engineers
1
Each Brigade Major
1
Each Brigade Qr Master
1
Qr Regimental Paymr & Cloather
1
Each Assistant of the Adjt Genl
1
Geographer & Assistant, together
1
Judge Advocate
1
Director of the Hospitals
2
Each Hospital D. Adams
1
Physician Dr Townsend
1
Apothecary
1
Purveyor or steward
1
each chaplain
1
Commy of Prisoners
2
To the quarter master general
2
each of his assistants
1
the commissary of forage
2
each of his assistants employed in
riding into the country for forage
1
the waggon master general
2
each of his assistants employed on
duty requiring frequent riding
1
General Knox has already regulated the numbers of horses to be kept at the Point on a moderate scale: the foregoing list I mean to comprehend only the officers &c. employed or quartered above the Highlands. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your Excellency’s most obedt servt
Tim. Pickering Q.M.G.
DLC: Papers of George Washington.