George Washington to Henry Knox regarding the number of troops to be stationed at West Point during the winter - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.09392
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0066] 1-10 October 1783
Title	George Washington to Henry Knox regarding the number of troops to be stationed at West Point during the winter
Date	8 October 1783
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Reports receiving a letter from Knox, delivered by Captain Shaw (possibly Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp). Informs Knox, commanding at West Point, he has been impatiently waiting for Congress to decide the number of troops to be stationed at West Point during the winter. Relates that some members of Congress seem reluctant to lessen the present force while the British remain in the United States. Intends to send orders to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering, Quarter Master General, to extend winter provisions for the supply of 2500-3000 men. Notes that Shaw has gone to Philadelphia. Docketed in Knox's hand.
Subjects	President Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army West Point (US Military Academy) Continental Congress Congress Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Military Provisions
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794)
Place written	Rocky Hill, New Jersey
Theme	Government & Politics; The Presidency; The American Revolution
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 Rocky hill 8th October 1783 - Dear Sir Captain Shaw has handed me your Letter of the 2nd. instant I have been impatiently waiting the determination of Congress to ascertain what number of Troops are actually to be kept up in the Garrison of West point during the Winter but I do not see any probability of their coming to a speedy decision - on the contrary the Members with whom I have conversed seem unwilling to lessen the present force whilst the British remain in the Country and when they will quit it is a matter of uncertainty - I I shall therefore by this conveyance send orders to Colonel Pickering to extend his provision for the [2] for the Winter to the number of 2500 or three thousand Men - Captain Shaw is gone to Philadelphia - by his return I shall reply to your other Letters - With great regard I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt. humble Servant Go: Washington Maj Genl. Knox [*] [docket] from his Ex: Genl Washington 8th October 1783.

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