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Show/hide Download PDF [draft] An Estimate of Ordnance and Ammunition necessary for the siege of New York, The shells and shot being adapted to the Cannon & Mortars in possession of the Continent Cannon Howitzers 12 pounders - 20 5 ½ inch -6 18 ditto 50 8 inch- 15 24 do 9 21. 79. Mortars 5 ½ inches------- 20 8------------------ 2 10----------------- 18 13----------------- 6 46 Shot Shells 18 [illegible] 50000 5 ½ [illegible] 20000 24------ 20000 8----- 20000 12------ 15000 10----- 20000 85000 13----- 3000 63000 36 tons of 12 & 16 ounce ball for} the Mortars } [2] Paper Cartridges Cannon Mortars & howitzers 18 pounders- 50000 5 ½ inch 20000 24 ----------- 20000 8 ----------- 20000 12 ----------- 15000 10 ---------- 20000 85000 13 ---------- 3000 63000 Cannon Cartridge paper for extra service &exclusive of the above -100 Rms: Old Junk for spun Yarn to [strikeout] make wads 20 tons - Powder for the service of the Cannon & Mortars [struck: Cannon] 50000 rounds for 18 pounders each 6 [illegible] 300,000 20000 ----------24 ---------- 8 160000 15000 ----------12 ---------- 4 60000 Mortars [struck: & howitzers] 20000 [illegible] for 5 ½ inch Mortars 2 - 40000 20000 ---------- 8 inch 4 80000 20000 ---------- 16 ----------- 6 - 20000 3000 ---------- 13 ----------- 12 - 36000 796000 for Contingencies 100000 896000 [3] Besides the articles above specified, there will be wanted many others, for [strikeout] making of ammunition Waggons and tunbrills - [struck: Platforms] plank for platforms, and Cannon carriages. Much laboratory preparation of Fuzes, tubes, Batteries &c, particular estimates of which will be made from time to time as occasion may require- Remarks The situation of the Island of new York is such as to Render it necessary for the besieging Army to have [strikeout] [inserted: open] Communications with, the Maine, Long Island and Jersey which must be defended with Cannon - The number of Cannon necessary for the batteries in the trenches, cannot [inserted: be precisely caculated [sic with the present information [struck: be calculated precisely]. It is however certain that the Enemy will be able to place [struck: a] numerous train of Artillery in their defences, which must be opposed by a still more formidable apparatus. If forty heavy [struck: cannon][inserted: peices] shall be employed to battle for 30 days the numbers of those requested will be found not to be too great. Although the communications will require many cannon, yet the quantity of ammunition [strikeout] [inserted: will be small] in proportion to those in the trenches [struck: in] It must be observed that [4] that this estimate does not include the idea of an operation by the way of long Island, although it supposes a battery on York Island [strikeout] to keep an open passage over to it - The operation against the enemies works on Long Island and the necessary communications have been intended to be carried on by the French who will have artillery sufficient for that purpose. The Cannon & mortars, set down in this estimate are continental, and are at West point and Philadelphia, except the 24 pounders, at York in Virginia, and four 13 inch Mortars with their shells at Boston - most of the howitzers, and [struck: some] [inserted: many] of the mortars and Cannon must be new mounted, which will probably be effected [struck: this Winter] by the artillery artificer previous to the opening of the Campaign. The quantity and number of stores on hand would have been specefied [sic] [struck: and the deficiency and] and compared with those requested, and the deficiency pointed out, but I have not the last returns in my possession. Honble Genl Lincoln Secretary of War HKnox Brigdr Genl Artillery Philadelphia 19th Jany. 1782 [docket] Estimate of Ordnance & Stores necessary for the siege of N. York. 19 Jany 1782
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