Letterbook

Letter from the Secretary at War to the Governor of Kentucky

Wilderness of Kentucky is not adequately staffed by troops to serve as protectors to the safety of those traveling within the state boundary. Knox details the principles under which the military protection of Kentucky must re-established.

1794

05

16

War Department

Isaac Shelby

Henry Knox

subalterns

sergeants

scouts

Anthony Wayne

travelers

War Department

Kentucky

frontier

territory

block house

muster rolls

money

pay

protection

defense

staffing

payment of troops

expense

1794051600001

1

Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to the Governor of Kentucky -- dated War department May 16, 1794
Much complaint has been made by travellers from Kentucky thro the Wilderness against the Officers and Garrisons of the posts which have been there established under your orders at the expense of the United States - It is said that every species of discipline and protection is wanting, and that at times officers and men are absent upon their own concerns, almost to a total dereliction of the places intrusted to them. I have conceived it to be my duty to make this communication and at the same time in the name and authority of the President of the United States to confide to your judgment whether the said posts shall be established and if so, whether it would not be better to have three instead of two, each to consist of one Subaltern one Serjeant one corporal and fifteen privates-- It would be proper to devise some mode to muster and inspect the garrison and to mulct as a deserter, any absentee, unless upon some necessary occasion, as connected with the objects of his duty
Major General Wayne has been written tonot to interfere in the defen sive protection of Kentucky which is hereby in the name of the President of the United States confided to your Excellency under the following general principles - 1. That if Blockhouses are built, that one be allowed at the rate of every twenty five miles upon the line exposed to danger each of which to be garrisoned with a Subaltern Officer, one Serjeant, one Corporal and fifteen privates upon the pay and rations of the troops of the United States. 2. That four Scouts be allowed for the intermediate distance between each Blockhouse - 3. That these persons be duly sworn to perform the duty and be
mustered and inspected every two months by an Officer to be appointed by you and who shall also be sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty. 4th. The pay abstracts to be made up every two months by each garrison and also for the Scouts and transmitted to your Excellency who will certify the same and the Muster Rolls and cause them to be transmitted to the Paymaster with the Army who will pay the amount in the manner which shall be devised so that the persons entitled to the money shall receive it without any loss of time.
In order to the regular discharge of the business it will be - necessary that you transmit to this Office, information of the number and situations of the respective Garrisons and the number and situation of the Scouts which shall be employed
If a greater force should be required upon an expectation of an invasion, the provisions in the constitution of the United States must be resorted to and govern ---
A true extract
HnryKnox
Clerk.War Office
Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to Governor Shelby dated
War Office November 21, 1795
Sir,
Lately since I acknowledged the receipt of your Excellencys letter [undecipherable] of [undecipherable]further inspection of papers has brought to view that of the 14 of March, I am sorry it has so long escaped my attention
I have laid your letters before the President. He expresses his confidence in your arrangements for the protection of the frontiers of your State that all proper attention has been given to prevent any unnecessary expense.
With