George Washington to Henry Knox discussing the movement of supplies and employment for the Invalids - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.09360
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0047] October 1782
Title	George Washington to Henry Knox discussing the movement of supplies and employment for the Invalids
Date	13 October 1782
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Suggesting stationary duty for an Invalid Regiment. Instructs Knox to "keep Van Schaick's Artificers," and fill the rest of his need for artificers with carpenters and Masons;. Also discusses movement of materials from Fishkill, condition of "the old Barracks on the Point" and the best place to move prisoners of war. Written at "Head Quarters." Washington's signature clipped.
Subjects	President Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Injury or Wound Artisans Military Supplies West Point (US Military Academy) Prisoner of War Building Construction
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Place written	Newburgh, New York
Theme	The American Revolution; The Presidency; Health & Medicine
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Head Quarters 13th: October 1782 Dear Sir My being obliged to go down the River early yesterday morning, prevented my answering yours of the 11th: yesterday - I can say nothing decisive respecting the Invalid Regiment, untill the arrangements for the Winter are made: But I cannot conceive any duty [struck: for] [inserted: more] proper for them than that of Constitution Island will be, or where it will be more light. They will have occasion for very few Centries, and those may be under cover - They will have comfortable Barracks and Fuel at hand - And the greater part of the Men, who were turned over to the Corps by the last Inspection, are as fit for stationary duty as any Men in the Army - Were there any accommodations for the number you mention at Newburg - Their duty would be dispersed - hard and exposed. You may keep Van Schaick's Artificers, and the further number requisite shall be drawn from the line - perhaps there may some Carpenters and Masons among the Levies allotted to the Wood Service. If there are, you may [2] draw them from thence and replace them with Men who are not Articficers - I should have thought the Quarter Master could have furnished the Teams necessary for the transportation of the materials from Fishkill, especially as he had been informed that there would be no call for them for the purpose of removing the Army. I had always understood that the old Barracks on the Point had held 1300 men - They might perhaps have been too much crouded with that number - You now say that [struck: all] the Barracks on the point, exclusive of that in Fort Clinton, will not hold 900 Men. I would wish you to explain this - I should have no objection to sending the prisoners of War taken to the Northward, to Albany, were there any means of keeping them there - There are no troops there, except, perhaps, a small Guard to Lord Stirling - I cannot consent to send them to New York, as with an old Balance and those who have gone in with paroled officers, the enemy already owe us 900 Men - They ought however to be removed [3] from West Point to Philade. by the first opportunity - The Germans, notwithstanding what they may say, are prisoners of War I am with great Esteem Dear Sir Yr. most obt. Servt. [signature purloined] Major Genl. Knox [docket] From His Exy Gen Washington 13 Octo 1782. [inserted in a different hand: Signature Purloined - No 53 - ]

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