Wayne discusses good order and discipline within the ranks with Knox
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Wayne discusses good order and discipline within the ranks with Knox
Description
Letter, dis discontent among officers in the Legion.
short description
Ltr, dis discontent in Legion officers
year created
1793
month created
11
day created
15
author
sent from location
SW Branch of Miami
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Anthony Wayne
Capt Thos Lewis
Capt Gunn
Major Cushing.
notable location
SW Branch of Miami
Hobsons Choice.
notable item/thing
baneful leaven
fermenting (in the Atlantic States) against the most worthy & emaculate Character of this or any other age
against confidential officers of Government
also been fermenting in this Legion from the moment of my first landing at Hobsons Choice
rights of man
criterion
even in Military Government
attempts have frequently been made to avade & disobey orders under various & unworthy pretexts
idle quibbles unknown at any period before that thrive in the Legion
most visible & acting person is a Major Cushing who is a very artful & seditious man
a Capt Gunn, not far behind
Cardinal principle
officers
advised to say
Sir I have owed my Country service & I have done it
I still owe allegiance & that in return for a granted right
of going & coming when I please
to such a pitch was this doctrine carried (at a crises when we have scarcely a guard & relief) that when some young Gentlemen were refused a furlough they offered their resignations & prepared to depart without any further ceremony saying they were advised to so do by experienced officers
Gentlemen feel that they were wrong advised
I am endeavoring to fix upon the principal when an example shall take place that will effectual prevent such doctrine or attempts in future
this fix is not all
I have but too much cause to believe that the neglect on the part of the contractors was occasioned by a many headed monster
the high price of the ration at Fort Hamilton, in proportion to those posts far advanced might operate as a powerful inducement upon the minds of those Gentlemen to which that the issues might be principally made there (as the greater part of the transport may be effected by water)
almost totally neglect the deposits at the head of the line
which they were repeatedly ordered to make both in writing & verbally & ought to have been effected
expected that I should be compelled to retreat for want of supplies
this was not only intended to operate against me, but principally against government
honor & dignity of which shall never be committed by any conductg of mine
mention these facts & circumstances in confidence
openlyh demonstrated in a little time
failed in causing me to retreat
next attempt will be to default my advance
Lewis who is charged with these dispatches will give you such other information you think proper to requjire.
document number
1793111540301
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | AKS07 (4 pages) | Collection: Henry Knox Papers. [microfilm] | R: 34, P: 148 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Anthony Wayne | SW Branch of Miami | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |