To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 4 November 1782

To render it practicable to support the horses indispensably necessary with the army, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of sending to a distance in the Country the surplus riding horses without delay. My ability to provide forage is not increased, but lessened, by the non-payment of the bills of exchange put into my hand for that among other purposes. I submit to your Excellency’s determination whether the following allowances will not be adequate to the usual services in Winter Quarters, and whether a farther reduction will be proper.

To a Major General

2

each of his aids

1

Brigadier General

2

his aid

1

Each field Officer

1

Captain of Engineers

1

Each Brigade Major

1

Each Brigade Qr Master

1

Qr Regimental Paymr & Cloather

1

Each Assistant of the Adjt Genl

1

Geographer & Assistant, together

1

Judge Advocate

1

Director of the Hospitals

2

Each Hospital D. Adams

1

Physician Dr Townsend

1

Apothecary

1

Purveyor or steward

1

each chaplain

1

Commy of Prisoners

2

To the quarter master general

2

each of his assistants

1

the commissary of forage

2

each of his assistants employed in

riding into the country for forage

1

the waggon master general

2

each of his assistants employed on

duty requiring frequent riding

1

General Knox has already regulated the numbers of horses to be kept at the Point on a moderate scale: the foregoing list I mean to comprehend only the officers &c. employed or quartered above the Highlands. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your Excellency’s most obedt servt