Item 26: Letter from Zebulon Butler to “the President of the Board of War,”, 1780 December 18.
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 27
Dates
- Created: 1780 December 18.
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Good. The paper is lightly browning, the edges are slightly tattered, the ink is fading, and there are very minor folds and stains present.
Measurements:
12 ½ in. x 8 in.
Description:
This letter written by Zebulon Butler is a request for supplies for the Wyoming Garrison. The letter was also written to provide updates to the Board of War about some events that happened near the garrison.
Transcription:
Wyoming 18 Dec 1780
Sir
this comes by Mr. Jinkins who is after money clothing & for the Troops at this Post by which youll be informd the Enemy have made us a slite [sic] sifft on the Evening of the Sixth Inst. A Party came on some Familys that had moved out about four miles from the garrison took seven men left the women and children Unhurt Rob’d them only of necessary provisions and clothing to take them along this was Done without the Fiering [sic] of a gun one of their party deserted and came in whose account I send inclosed and I did not hear of it till next morning and in about six hours I sent A party after them who persued [sic] them two Days and could not Pursue any Further for want of Provision as we have not had any flower at this Post this two months but I suppose ways are taken to Prower the articel [sic] of provisions but you’ll se [sic] by Col Antes’s Letter which is as Follows
that we can get no forage for the few continental horses that are hear which is all the expense that the Publick [sic] has to pay for Wood & for the Garrison if the Bord [sic] should think proper to send money and orders to me or some Parson that they believed would give them A proper amount of it I should advise to that Measure as Forrage [sic] can be Purchased at as cheep a rate as any Place and much larger quantyties [sic] than what is wanted as we have only twelve or fourteen continental horses hear expecting officer horses and I observe the Resolus of Congress Respecting Forrage [sic] it gives Forage & Capt Schott Commands A Corps Capt Selin is Paymaster to it Capt Spaulding is Paymaster to his Company Doctor Smith is surgeon to the Garrison Lt Myers is adjacent to the Garrison I have as yet Refused giving them Forrage [sic] but shall be obliged to do it agreeabel [sic] to the Resolves of Congress without I Receiv’d order from the Bord [sic] other ways or A Diferent [sic] Explanation as the Resolves. I have dismissed the militia and give the soldiers wifes only [Illegible] Rations of Provision I have sent Inclosed the Return of the Garrison and A Return of Ammunition wanting and need not only add that I have the Honnour to be the Bord most Obt Humbl Servt
Zeb Butler Colonel Commd
President of Bord War
President of Bord War
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu