Letterbook

Report on Desertions, Equipment, Morale & Storm Damage at West Point

Reports sending of ordnance & stores returns, as well as a return of different parts left over from an overhaul of old arms. Reports ashamedly that more New Jersey recruits have deserted, and the party sent after them could not track them down; reports an "uneasy" situation at West Point, with troops lacking pay and clothing. Asks for these things to be sent if at all possible, & encloses a return of recruits now at the post [not included]. Reports considerable storm damage to various buildings, especially the roof of the magazine at Fort Putnam. Discusses proposed sale of damaged powder to a citizen; reports shortage of oil, and asks permission to purchase wood to keep the men warm in the coming months.

1786

10

07

West Point

Text loss on right side.

Henry Knox

William Price

Dunlop

recruits

best men

Jersey recruits

Luse

Sevins

Captain Molly

Margaret Corbin

West Point

New Jersey

Fort Putnam

Hartford

return of ordnance and quarter masters stores

old arms

return of the different sorts

loss of recruits

Stores

ordnance

arms

clothing

buildings

powder

oil

wood

retake them

want of pay

return of the recruits

wind and rain

damage

roof

magazine

cupola

barracks

stockades

salt peter

1786100740055

2

1

West Point 1 Oct 1780
Sir
I have sent by the bearer Mr Dunlah the returns of ordnance and quarter masters stores for this month of Sept 1786.
I have finished overhauling the old dorms and herewith is enclosed a return of the different sorts.
I am sorry (nay almost ashamed) to inform you of the loss of two more recruits of the Jersey Quuta Lines my last of the 1 Sept. One of the 21st of the same month, and the other on the 4th instant, I have used every possible exertion to retake them by sending the best men we had after them, but they have returned without them - And what the are now here is very uneasy for the want of some pay, and most Jersey recruits for the want of clothing which they inform a (undecipherable) promised to them, and it not unconsistent with your arrangements I wish he might be just here to see them. as I suppose he has some clothing on hand. Enclosed return of the recruits at this place.
On the right of the 5 instant we had a lot of wind and rain which has done considerable damage. Most of the roof over the magazines at Fort Putnam, was a great deal that is over the magazine at the (undecipherable) one half of the roof where the Cupala was to have been Barracks, besides considerable other damage to the forts away the parapits and stockader - but the (undecipherable) no damage, and the roofs of the magazines I have (undecipherable) a manner as suspect they will stand the next summer.
I have sent another acct of Mrs Sevins for taking (undecipherable) up to 1 of Sept and have removed here to another place, as I (undecipherable) not so well treated she ought to be.
When I was down in some thoughts of filling the damaged (undecipherable), (undecipherable) which then Mr Pitkin here from Hartford that would perhaps if you should to dispose of it. He thinks he cannot afford to give more than
and twenty five shillings and hundred, as then he will be a consider and expense attending to 4 had the fact (undecipherable).
As the weather is getting cold I wish the Gen Permit me to purchase a little wood for the men till he can what shall be purchases for the winter, in order to (undecipherable) hauling things to pieces to burn.
Their is wanting two gallons of oil, to oil the stands on the ranks, as what is now on grows stiff and hard.
I am
Major Genl Knox, Secretary at War