Tilghman, Tench (1744-1786) to Samuel Shaw
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01597 Author/Creator: Tilghman, Tench (1744-1786) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 September 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : 29.4 x 17.7 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Download PDF
Writes, "It appears clearly to me that the order forbidding the issue of Rum to Women does not extend to Mrs. [Margaret] Corbin - Granting provision at all, to Women who are followers of the Army, is altogether matter of courtesy, and therefore the commanding General may allow them such a Ration as he thinks proper - But Mrs. Corbin is a pensioner of Congress, and therefore, upon procuring the Resolve made in her favor - Genl. [Henry] Knox, as commandant, may direct the Contractor to commute her Retained Rations of liquor - perhaps it would not be prudent to give them to her all in liquor - So much. Seriously and officially. Now Friend Samuel, how comes it, that a woman with an old decrepit Husband should be far advanced in pregnancy?" See GLC02437.01591, GLC02437.01595, and GLC02437.01611 for related information.
According to the American National Biography, Corbin was wounded at the Battle of Fort Washington, although Shaw notes she was wounded at Brandywine. Her husband was operating a piece of artillery when he was killed, so Corbin took command of the cannon and received grape shot in her left shoulder. She wasn't granted pension until 1779, when Congress granted her a complete suit of clothes and half the monthly pay of a soldier as long as she remained disabled. After Congress's action, she enrolled in the Invalid Corps (performing garrison duties). In 1781, the Invalid Corps became an official part of the garrison at West Point where she remained until her discharge in 1783. She remained in the West Point/Highland Falls vicinity and was buried in the town of Highland Falls. Corbin's body was exhumed in 1926 by DAR and reinterred at West Point.
[draft]
Head Quarters 11th: Sept. 1782
Dear Shaw
It appears clearly to me that the order forbidding the issue of Rum to Women does not extend to Mrs. Corbin - Granting provision at all, to Women who are followers of the Army, is altogether matter of courtesy - and therefore the commanding General may allow them such a Ration as he thinks proper - But Mrs. Corbin is a pensioner of Congress, and therefore, upon producing the Resolve made in her favor - Genl. Knox, as Commandant, may direct the Contractor to commute her Retained Rations of liquer - perhaps it would not be prudent to give them to her all in liquer - so much - seriously and officially. Now Friend Samuel - how comes it - that a Woman with an old decrepit Husband should be far advanced in pregnancy? -
I am Yours affect.y
T. Tilghman
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