Doughty, John (1754-1826) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02970 Author/Creator: Doughty, John (1754-1826) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 March 1784 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 33.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Major Doughty encloses the last return (possibly GLC02437.10578) of the corps of artillery (Doughty took command of the artillery at West Point after the suspension of Sebastian Bauman which resulted from a disagreement with William Hull, commandant of West Point). Declares, "It is no small misfortune to our little Corps, that on its first formation it should be embarrassed with trifling squabbles about duty, & perhaps had our Commandant diverted himself of his knowledge of foreign services, & attended to the practice of his own, much trouble might have been prevented..." Criticizes Bauman's actions. Has not information from the clothier general, and complains that the men need shirts and coats immediately. In a post script, comments on the personal life of Samuel Shaw, Knox's former aide. Shaw left "his Maria in a doleful plight...." when he sailed for China ten days before. Reports that Bauman's wife gave birth three days before.
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