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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01609 Author/Creator: Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Place Written: Verplanck, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 September 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 22.6 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Written at Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Mentions that the Brigade of Light Infantry and the Corps of Light Dragoons need traveling forges and that it is not in his power to supply them. Writes, "The park being arrived I imagine that two may be spared from thence without inconvenience, seeing it will remain at West Point. I must therefore request you to furnish Mr. [Daniel] Carthy with two travelling forges with the necessary tools: he can send them down in the large scow [a type of boat], which he expected to have ready by to-night." Asks him to furnish Mr. Carthy with anything he needs to repair the scow, as the French army will be crossing the river the next day. Adds that "[t]he vessels employed in transporting artillery & military stores will all be wanted on this occasion, to take scows & boats in tow, I shall therefore be obliged by your discharging them as soon as possible." Receipt and docket are in Samuel Shaw's hand.

Camp Verplank's Point Septr 14. 1782.
Sir,
The Brigade of Light Infantry and Van-Heers corps of light dragoons, are in want of travelling forges. It is not in my power to supply them. The park being arrived I imagine that two may be spared from thence without inconvenience, seeing it will remain at West Point. I must therefore request you to furnish Mr. Carthy with two travelling forges with the necessary tools: he can send them down in the large scow, which he expected to have ready by to-night.
I must also request you to cause Mr. Carthy to be supplied with every necessary aid of man in repairing the scow & getting her down - the French army will begin to cross the river to-morrow.
The vessels employed in transporting artillery & military stores will all be wanted on this occasion, to take scows & boats in tow; I shall therefore be obliged by your discharging them as soon as possible.
I
[2] I am Sir
yr most obedt servt
Tim: Pickering
QMG

Recd at 5o clock
PM - 15th -
M Genl Knox
[docket]
From
Col. Pickering QMG.
14 Sept 1782

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Carthy, Daniel, fl. 1780-1782

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