Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3
162 documents
Eliminating Excessive Expenses
Knox urges Wayne to use whatever measures are necessary to eliminate excessive expense. Perhaps the use of oxen instead of packhorses would be one way to save money. A significant number of recruits …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Effective Use of Patrols
Knox praises Wayne's use of patrols--instead of small garrisons--as a means of protecting the frontier. It is hoped that the people also recognize the effectiveness of the patrols and not feel the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Do Not Be Misled By Indian Overtures of Peace; Support for Legion That it May Conquer
Wayne tells Knox not to be misled by rumors of peace with the Indians. He must do everything in his power to ensure that the Legion is well-manned, well-supplied and well-armed so as to conquer the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Disposition of Indian Forces and Threat of Smallpox
Wayne discusses a number of matters concerning the garrison at Pittsburgh, including the disposition of Indian forces and the threat of small pox. His plan is to separate those troops who have had the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Dispersal of the Indian Party Collected for War
There had been a warning from the Governor of Tennessee that 300-500 hostile Indians were ready to go to war but the intercession of several headmen led to the dispersal of the warriors. As a result, …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Disease, Indian Raids, and Lack of Supplies
Wayne reports a number of unfortunate occurances including many deaths at the hands of marauding well-supplied Indians, illness in a number of soldiers and a lack of medical personnel, and a lack of …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Discussing the outfitting and deployment of troops
Wayne discusses the deployment and outfitting of some of his forces, the need for rifle uniforms, and the punishment of a difficult young man named Lieut. Smith.
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Discussing Progress of Recruits, Allocation of Stores, and Indian Relations
Knox talks of the progress of the movement of recruits and the allocations of stores and the procedures for strict accountability of all public property. Uniformity of pay procedures is advocated. …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Desire to Meet Cornplanter; Unlikelihood of Congressional Action on Recruiting
Knox wants to meet with the Cornplanter so that the latter can explain the communication received from the Six Nations in preparation for the next meeting with them. It seems unlikely that Congress …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Deserters, Training Troops, and Supplies
Wayne discusses the problem of desertions and how deserters will be punished including a brand of "coward" on their foreheads. He also talks about his methods of training his troops and his various …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Deserters, stores, and recruiting
The troops are obviously not ready for active warfare but Knox knows that Wayne will prepare them well. The problem of deserters and cowardly sentries is addressed. It appears that most of the stores …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Deserters, Smallpox, and Indian Raids
Wayne reports a number of concerns including a high number of desertions among his troops, his inability to implement his plan of separating those who have had small pox from those who have not had …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Deployment of Troops to Prevent Indian Incursions
Wayne discusses the deployment of some of his forces in order to prevent Indian incursions. Nothing of importance has occurred except the arrival of Gen. Wilkinson's wife and family and the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Complaints About Clothing & Pay Not Reaching Wayne's Legion
Knox responds to a complaint regarding stores of clothing that never reached the Legion. He assures Wayne that every precaution was taken to ensure that the clothing was delivered appropriately. …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Coalescence of the Legion at Pittsburgh, Winter Encampment, and Stance Toward Indians
Has returned from scouting a winter site for the army; must wait for water to rise (for ease of supply) before relocating there. Refers to retention of interpreters. Capt. Pierce will soon arrive …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Clothing, Muskets, and Powder
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 …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Army Detachments to Pittsburgh
It is good news that the frontier is quiet. Troops are in motion from Virginia and Maryland and several detachments under Campbell and Asheton should arrive in Pittsburgh soon. Recruiting continues to …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Advice to Wayne on Disposition and Supply of Garrisons in Winter
Knox is advising Wayne as to the most efficient ways to prepare for the winter with particular emphasis on the provisioning and hutting of the troops at all the garrisons. He has the idea that if the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Advice on Building Posts During Negotiations, Supply by Land, and Care of Visiting Wabash Chiefs
Knox warns that that it would be improper to build new posts during treaty negotiations, but if the peace talks fail, the posts should be built during the winter or in the early spring. He talks again …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Accounts of Capture by Indians & Rumor of Indian Attack on Detroit
The letter begins by informing Knox that it is certain that Indians killed Colonel Harding and Major Truman. Two men who were taken prisoner by the Indians provide an account of how the men lost …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Accounts Must Be Settled Accurately
Knox discusses the procedures by which the troops should be paid and cautions that accuracy is paramount. The President will need to decide how many troops are to remain on the upper parts of the …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3"Articles & Necessaries" for the Army
Wayne sends Knox a long list of "articles & necessaries" that he requires. Clothing, muster rolls, powder sieves, and Baron Steuben's Blue Book are among the items requested.
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Wayne to Continue War Preparations While Not Antagonizing Indians; Reasons for Not Launching Supporting Movement
Wayne is to continue to make appropriate preparations for war without unduly alarming the Indians, thereby rendering the position of the peace Commissioners dangerously precarious. The reasons are …
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Wayne Letter & Enclosures Forwarded to Knox
One of the War Office clerks forwards Wayne's letter and enclosures to Knox.
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3Warning that Wayne's Preparations Signal to Indians that U.S. is Preparing for War
The Commissioners are warning Knox that Wayne's recent movements and provisioning send a strong signal to the Indians at the Niagara peace council that US forces are preparing for war.
Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3
