From George Washington to Jeremiah Powell, 7 October 1779
To Jeremiah Powell
Head Quarters West Point 7th October 1779
Sir
I had the honor of addressing you on the 4th Inst. upon the subject of an expected cooperation with His Excellency Count D’Estaing against the common enemy.1 Upon consulting Major Genl Greene Qr Mr Genl and Brigr Genl Knox commanding the Artillery, I am apprehensive that we shall fall short in two most essential Articles—Gun powder—and Tents. Of the former—we have lately been much disappointed, by the failure of the arrival of a supply from the West Indies.2 You and the Gentlemen of the Council must be so fully sensible of the consequences which would follow the interruption of our operations for want of powder, even for one day, that I shall make no apology for requesting a loan from the State of Massachusetts of as much of that Article, from their private Magazines, as can possibly be spared, should an operation of any consequence be undertaken in conjunction with the french fleet and Army. General Greene calculates the probable deficiency of Tents at 1500. Should it be possible for the State to furnish the Continent with that number, it will render a most essential public service, and I will engage that they shall be replaced or paid for as may be most agreeable.
Should a joint operation against New York be determined upon—The service of a number of Men, well acquainted with the management of Boats, will be most material indeed, I know not how we should be able to make a descent without them. It is the opinion of some Gentlemen, with whom I have conversed, that it would be possible to engage a number of sailors at Boston and the other Coast Towns in the State for this purpose. Should the measure be found practicable, I should esteem it as a favor if the Council would undertake the raising of a number, not exceeding one thousand, with a proper proportion of Officers. The Men to be engaged to the last of December unless the service should admit of their discharge sooner, and both Officers and Men to draw the pay of the Navy. Should we, as I hope we shall if we operate, command the navigation of the sound, the Men may be brought from Bedford or some part of Rhode Island by Water—Your answer to the several points contained in this letter as early as possible will oblige me much.3 I have the honor to be with great Respect Sir.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW is referring to his circular letter to the state executives of 4 Oct.; see GW to George Clinton, that date, a version of which was sent to Powell. For GW’s planning and preparations for joint operations with the French fleet, see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 October.
2. For this supply of powder and its failure to arrive, see GW to the Board of War, 27 Aug., and 14 and 18 Sept.; and the Board of War to GW, 3 (first letter) and 23 September. About this time, Brig. Gen. Henry Knox prepared an “Estimate of shells, shot and powder,” apparently requirements for the prospective operations against New York. Knox sent a copy of the estimate to GW on 5 Nov., but he noted that “Copy of the above sent to the Board of War the beginning of last month.” Knox estimated that for 30 days’ operations with ten 10-inch mortars, six 8-inch mortars, twenty 18-pounder cannon, and twenty 12-pounder cannon, with the mortars each firing fifty shells per day and each cannon firing sixty shots per day, the artillery would require 24,000 shells, 72,000 shot, and 486,000 pounds of powder (DLC:GW).
3. The Massachusetts Council replied on 16 Oct., offering 100 barrels of gun-powder but no tents or boatmen.