Clothing, Muskets, and Powder
Item
Type
Author's Letterbook Copy
Title
Clothing, Muskets, and Powder
Description
All is quiet on the frontier but the lack of clothing for the troops is a disgrace. Wayne discusses a modification of his muskets which, using a fine-grain powder, will eliminate the need for priming and result in more efficient firing of the weapons. He asks that this new powder be sent immediately so as to avoid another defeat at the hands of the Indians.
year created
1792
month created
07
day created
13
author
sent from location
Pittsburgh
recipient
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Anthony Wayne
hostile Indians
Indians
farmers
General Wilkinson
first Regiment
second Regiment
commanding officers
light troops
Cavalry
notable location
Pittsburgh
borders of the frontiers
Fort Jefferson
notable item/thing
harvest
hay
grain
temporary suspension of hostilities
provision
forage
clothing
wage
experiment
musket
touch hole
powder
charge
cartridge
hatchet
sample
double price
post
fine grained powder
no traces of hostile Indians
hay and grain
temporary suspension of hostilities
supply of provision and forage
destitute of clothing
disgrace to the service
improvement of the musket
alteration in the touch hole
the necessity of priming
concussion of the air
each musket to prime itself with more certainty
the eye of the soldier
top of the cartridge
the report of their own muskets
the aid of powerful and well appointed cavalry
olive branch
a sample of the powder
all possible dispatch
present overtures of peace
notable phrase
I have made a small experiment of the idea I mentioned to you respecting the improvement of the musket by an alteration in the touch hole
I herewith send you a sample of the powder. I wish for, pray forward it with all possible dispatch if it can be met with or purchased at double price, for if the present overtures of peace are treated with contempt or neglect, we must not suffer another defeat
document number
1792071340055
page start
25
transcription
No 6 To Major Genl Knox Secy of War
Pittsburgh 13th July 1792
Dear Sir,
There are no traces of hostile indians to be discovered upon the borders of the frontiers, all is quiet & the farmers are assiduously employed in harvesting their hay & grain, which I hope they will effect, & secure in safety.
I have directed Genl Wilkinson to improve the present opportunity (il.e. this temporary suspension of hostilities) to throw as large a supply of provision & forage into Fort Jefferson, and the intermediate posts as circumstances will admit of no troops have yet arrives - the first & second regiment are almost destitute of clothing; in fact the language of the commanding officers at the respective posts generally is "that the situation of the troops with respect to clothing is a disgrace to the service:, for god's sake send it forward (if not already done) that I may have it in my power to shut their clamorous mouth's.
I have made a small experiment of the idea I mentioned to you, respecting the improvement of the musket, by an alteration in the touch hole i.e. by filling up the old, and drilling a new one pretty large in an oblique in place of a right angular direction with the caliber; which with a very fine grained powder will most certainly preclude the necessity of priming: the conclusion of the air, in forcing down the charge will cause each musket to prime itself with more certainty, in action than the common mode; the eye of the soldier will therefore be constantly upon his enemy; & he can pursue & load in full trot without danger of losing any part of his powder, as he will have nothing to do, but to bite off the top of the cartridge, & introduce it into into the piece, and, much quicker than he could load standing in the rank's in the usual way; This is a maneuver that must be practised by the light troops - it will accustom them to the report of their own muskets, so, as not to be alarmed at their own fire; and with the aid of a powerful and will appointed cavalry (should the Indians prefer the Hatchet to the olive branch) I trust will produce a Conviction, not only to the savages, but to the world, that the U. S. of America are not to be insulted with impunity - the Fire in this way is as three to two standing & as two or one running - and may yet be improved by an equal ramrod.
I herewith send you a sample of the powder I wish for, pray forward it, with all possible dispatch, if it can be met with or purchased at double price, for if the present overtures of peace are treated with contempt of neglect, we must not suffer another defeat.
I have the honor to be with Sincere esteem and friendship, Sir, yr most obedt and very huml Servt -
Anty Wayne
8 OClock P M the post has this moment arrived, & I have the honor to acknowledge your's of the 7th with duplicates of No. 4 of the 29th ulto. as nothing material has happened, since this morning. I will not detain this post who appears to be indolent.
The Honble
Major Genl Knox
Secy of War
Pittsburgh 13th July 1792
Dear Sir,
There are no traces of hostile indians to be discovered upon the borders of the frontiers, all is quiet & the farmers are assiduously employed in harvesting their hay & grain, which I hope they will effect, & secure in safety.
I have directed Genl Wilkinson to improve the present opportunity (il.e. this temporary suspension of hostilities) to throw as large a supply of provision & forage into Fort Jefferson, and the intermediate posts as circumstances will admit of no troops have yet arrives - the first & second regiment are almost destitute of clothing; in fact the language of the commanding officers at the respective posts generally is "that the situation of the troops with respect to clothing is a disgrace to the service:, for god's sake send it forward (if not already done) that I may have it in my power to shut their clamorous mouth's.
I have made a small experiment of the idea I mentioned to you, respecting the improvement of the musket, by an alteration in the touch hole i.e. by filling up the old, and drilling a new one pretty large in an oblique in place of a right angular direction with the caliber; which with a very fine grained powder will most certainly preclude the necessity of priming: the conclusion of the air, in forcing down the charge will cause each musket to prime itself with more certainty, in action than the common mode; the eye of the soldier will therefore be constantly upon his enemy; & he can pursue & load in full trot without danger of losing any part of his powder, as he will have nothing to do, but to bite off the top of the cartridge, & introduce it into into the piece, and, much quicker than he could load standing in the rank's in the usual way; This is a maneuver that must be practised by the light troops - it will accustom them to the report of their own muskets, so, as not to be alarmed at their own fire; and with the aid of a powerful and will appointed cavalry (should the Indians prefer the Hatchet to the olive branch) I trust will produce a Conviction, not only to the savages, but to the world, that the U. S. of America are not to be insulted with impunity - the Fire in this way is as three to two standing & as two or one running - and may yet be improved by an equal ramrod.
I herewith send you a sample of the powder I wish for, pray forward it, with all possible dispatch, if it can be met with or purchased at double price, for if the present overtures of peace are treated with contempt of neglect, we must not suffer another defeat.
I have the honor to be with Sincere esteem and friendship, Sir, yr most obedt and very huml Servt -
Anty Wayne
8 OClock P M the post has this moment arrived, & I have the honor to acknowledge your's of the 7th with duplicates of No. 4 of the 29th ulto. as nothing material has happened, since this morning. I will not detain this post who appears to be indolent.
The Honble
Major Genl Knox
Secy of War
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | DTB01 (266 pages) | Collection: Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3 | V: 1 |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Collection: Printed Versions | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Collection: Anthony Wayne Transcripts | XX, p. 112 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Anthony Wayne | Pittsburgh | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |