Deserters, Training Troops, and Supplies
Item
Type
Author's Letterbook Copy
Title
Deserters, Training Troops, and Supplies
Description
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 supply needs.
year created
1792
month created
08
day created
10
author
sent from location
Pittsburgh
recipient
in microfilm
in publication
in image
note
Cited in Knox to Wayne, 08/17/1792.
cited note
Cited document addressed to the War Office
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Anthony Wayne
Major McCully
Indians
spies
militia
enemy
Dragoons
sentries
Cornet Taylor
deserters
Country men
Cavalry
Colonel Harding
Major Freeman
Major Trueman
cowards
militia of Westmoreland
sentries
the savages
notable location
Pittsburgh
Westmoreland
Philadelphia
Fort Washington
Whelen
Whelan
notable item/thing
volunteer
desertion
redoubts
front & right flank
cowardice
severe example
hour of danger
punishment
put to instantaneous death
paper
reward
bounty
written descriptive list of deserters
Philadelphia papers
brand
military insignia
menial service
march
howitzers
carriages
wheels
clothing
fine grained powder
gill of whisky
maneuver
coats
remnants of blue cloth
needles
thread
Enemy's rear
the defect of the human heart
excess of cowardice
this kind of defection
pusillanimity in a few individuals
a severe example of part of those who deserted from their posts
brand with the name coward
printed blank descriptions by way of advertisement
pride in a soldier
grain
escort
three pounders
three pound shot
six pound shot
clover
timothy hay
boats
a permanent peace
superiority in the field
notable phrase
such was the defect of the human heart, that from the excess of cowardice, one third part of the sentries deserted from their stations, so as to leave the most accessible places unguarded
however I do not conceive myself weakened by this kind of defection--as it is only the effect of pusillanimity in a few individuals
document number
1792081053555
page start
58
number of pages
4
transcription
No 12
To Genl Knox, Secy of War
Pittsburgh 10th August 1792
Sir,
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a letter from Major McCully, of the 7th instt: nothing further has been received respecting these parties of indians, I therefore conclude, that McCully is following upon the trail & probably may come up with them: one of the spies has made oath, that the party he discovered amounted to two hundred indians: I am informed that part of the militia of Westmoreland, have volunteer'd it with Major McCully.
Desertions have become frequent & alarming: two nights since, upon a report that a large body of indians were close in front, I ordered the troops to form for action, & rode along the line to inspire them with confidence, & gave a charge to those, in the redoubts, which I had recently thrown up, in our front & right flank to maintain those posts at every expence of blood, until I could gain the Enemy's rear with the Dragoons, - but such was the defect of the human heart, that from the excess of cowardice, one third part of the sentries deserted from their stations, so as to leave the most accessible places unguarded: however I do not conceive myself weakened by this kind of defection - as it is only the effect of pusillanimity in a few individuals; but as it may become infections, unless suddenly checked; I am determined to make a severe example of part of those who deserted from their posts in the hour of danger. I expect that most of them are secured, by a detachment of Dragoons under Cornet Taylor, who I sent in pursuit of them - he had found their trail, & was not far in their rear yesterday noon: his orders are if they attempt resistance, to put them to instantaneous death. by the enclosed paper you will see the measures I have adopted, to prevent desertion in future - two Desert's were brought in yesterday by two Countrymen, for which they received ten dollar a head.
The written descriptive list of deserter's are those who deserted from their posts at the alarm, and who I expect to se in the course of the day; it however may be possible, notwithstanding the near approach of the Dragoons that they may escape; it will there not be amiss to have the whole inserted & republished in the Philadelphia papers.
I have in contemplation a brand with the word Coward, to stamp upon the forehead of one or two, of the greatest Castoffs; & to divert them of every military insignia, & cause them to be constantly employ'd in the most menial services about camp.
You'l please to observe that there has scarcely been any desertions from this place, except those occasioned by the alarm: they have generally taken place on their march, from the respective rendezvous. Apropos - would it not be adviseable to furnish the officers marching detachments, with printed blank descriptions by way of advertisement.
Eight howitzers have arrived but without wheels or carriages - no account of clothing - permit me again to reiterate my request for a quantity of fine grained powder, of equal fineness & quality with the sample sent you per post I cause the whole of the Guards to load, when they take post, and discharge at marks when relieved, under the inspection of their respective officers. I give a Gile of whiskey as a reward for the best, & half a gile for the second best shot each day, which will cause an emulation. The troops & Dragoons improve rapidly in manoeuvre, but our coats begin to be cut in the elbows & under the arms: I have therefore to request that you will order on a quantity of remnants of blue cloth, with needles & thread, by which means we can furbish up, & keep our clothing decent & comfortable, which will tend to inspire the troops with pride - and pride in a solider, I esteem as a substitute for every other virtue: make him ashamed of committing a mean act; and it will answer very purpose of virtue - dress - will greatly facilitate this desirable end.
I have sent off a large quantity of grain to Fort Washington under an escort, together with two, three pounders, & six tons of three & six pound shot. I have also ordered the purchase of one hundred and fifty tons of best clover and timothy hay at Whelen, to be delivered on board the boats at six dollars per ton, which with the addition, of the price of the boats will not amount to more than eight dollars per ton, delivered at Fort Washington: so that our Cavalry can be supported there, as cheap and as well, as in any part of the United States: if we can amuse the savages, but for this campaign (for from present appearances, peace is out of the question) I think I could venture to insure success against three times our numbers next season. nor shall we every have a permanent place with those until they experience our superiority in the field.
6 o'clock P.M. the post has this moment arrived & I am honored with yours of the 3d inst: containing a number of inclosures to which due attention shall be paid - before this reaches you, you will have recd my letters of the 3 & 6th instants, which probably will remove every doubt respecting the fate of Colo Harding & Major Trueman.
Cornet Taylor has returned without success - but the cowards can't escape.
I have the honor to be with sincere esteem and regard your most obedt Huml Servt
Anty Wayne
The Honble Major Genl Knox Secy of War
To Genl Knox, Secy of War
Pittsburgh 10th August 1792
Sir,
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a letter from Major McCully, of the 7th instt: nothing further has been received respecting these parties of indians, I therefore conclude, that McCully is following upon the trail & probably may come up with them: one of the spies has made oath, that the party he discovered amounted to two hundred indians: I am informed that part of the militia of Westmoreland, have volunteer'd it with Major McCully.
Desertions have become frequent & alarming: two nights since, upon a report that a large body of indians were close in front, I ordered the troops to form for action, & rode along the line to inspire them with confidence, & gave a charge to those, in the redoubts, which I had recently thrown up, in our front & right flank to maintain those posts at every expence of blood, until I could gain the Enemy's rear with the Dragoons, - but such was the defect of the human heart, that from the excess of cowardice, one third part of the sentries deserted from their stations, so as to leave the most accessible places unguarded: however I do not conceive myself weakened by this kind of defection - as it is only the effect of pusillanimity in a few individuals; but as it may become infections, unless suddenly checked; I am determined to make a severe example of part of those who deserted from their posts in the hour of danger. I expect that most of them are secured, by a detachment of Dragoons under Cornet Taylor, who I sent in pursuit of them - he had found their trail, & was not far in their rear yesterday noon: his orders are if they attempt resistance, to put them to instantaneous death. by the enclosed paper you will see the measures I have adopted, to prevent desertion in future - two Desert's were brought in yesterday by two Countrymen, for which they received ten dollar a head.
The written descriptive list of deserter's are those who deserted from their posts at the alarm, and who I expect to se in the course of the day; it however may be possible, notwithstanding the near approach of the Dragoons that they may escape; it will there not be amiss to have the whole inserted & republished in the Philadelphia papers.
I have in contemplation a brand with the word Coward, to stamp upon the forehead of one or two, of the greatest Castoffs; & to divert them of every military insignia, & cause them to be constantly employ'd in the most menial services about camp.
You'l please to observe that there has scarcely been any desertions from this place, except those occasioned by the alarm: they have generally taken place on their march, from the respective rendezvous. Apropos - would it not be adviseable to furnish the officers marching detachments, with printed blank descriptions by way of advertisement.
Eight howitzers have arrived but without wheels or carriages - no account of clothing - permit me again to reiterate my request for a quantity of fine grained powder, of equal fineness & quality with the sample sent you per post I cause the whole of the Guards to load, when they take post, and discharge at marks when relieved, under the inspection of their respective officers. I give a Gile of whiskey as a reward for the best, & half a gile for the second best shot each day, which will cause an emulation. The troops & Dragoons improve rapidly in manoeuvre, but our coats begin to be cut in the elbows & under the arms: I have therefore to request that you will order on a quantity of remnants of blue cloth, with needles & thread, by which means we can furbish up, & keep our clothing decent & comfortable, which will tend to inspire the troops with pride - and pride in a solider, I esteem as a substitute for every other virtue: make him ashamed of committing a mean act; and it will answer very purpose of virtue - dress - will greatly facilitate this desirable end.
I have sent off a large quantity of grain to Fort Washington under an escort, together with two, three pounders, & six tons of three & six pound shot. I have also ordered the purchase of one hundred and fifty tons of best clover and timothy hay at Whelen, to be delivered on board the boats at six dollars per ton, which with the addition, of the price of the boats will not amount to more than eight dollars per ton, delivered at Fort Washington: so that our Cavalry can be supported there, as cheap and as well, as in any part of the United States: if we can amuse the savages, but for this campaign (for from present appearances, peace is out of the question) I think I could venture to insure success against three times our numbers next season. nor shall we every have a permanent place with those until they experience our superiority in the field.
6 o'clock P.M. the post has this moment arrived & I am honored with yours of the 3d inst: containing a number of inclosures to which due attention shall be paid - before this reaches you, you will have recd my letters of the 3 & 6th instants, which probably will remove every doubt respecting the fate of Colo Harding & Major Trueman.
Cornet Taylor has returned without success - but the cowards can't escape.
I have the honor to be with sincere esteem and regard your most obedt Huml Servt
Anty Wayne
The Honble Major Genl Knox Secy of War
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (5 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 | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Publication: Anthony Wayne, A Name in Arms | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Microfilm: Anthony Wayne Papers | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Anthony Wayne | Pittsburgh | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |