Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01351 Author/Creator: Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 February 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 21 x 16.7 cm. Order a Copy
On George Washington's instructions, Pickering writes to ask for estimates regarding field artillery pieces and transportation like tumbrils and wagons. Also asks whether horses or oxen are best to use to pull these carts, and how many of each they will need for the next campaign.
Sir,
I have the General's orders to engage waggoners for the next campaign, and in such numbers as to prevent the necessity of making any draught from the line. I request you will inform me of the numbers of field pieces tumbrils and amunition waggons for which waggons must be provided. By the experiment made last campaign, (or rather the expedient adopted, as horses were wanting) it appeared best that horses should be provided for the Spare amunition waggons attached to the brigades. I expect that ox teams will be provided for every Service in which they can be employed to advantage. You will oblige me by furnishing me immediately with an estimate of the numbers and Species
of
[2] of teams requisite[d] in your department for the next campaign.
I am Sir
your most obed.t Servt
T. Pickering Q MG
General Knox
[address leaf]
Public Service
General Knox
Philadelphia
[docket]
From Colonel Pickering
12 February 1782
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.