Year of 1780 - Primary Historical Documents & Maps - Geographers Department, Continental Army, 1777-1783

The Cartographers and Surveyors of the Continental Army in the War for American Independence
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1780
Robert Erskine to Philip Schuyler, May 7th, 1780. Contains a letter from Simeon DeWitt and Benjamin Lodge to Robert Erskine dated February 12, 1780.	General Orders, June 30, 1780		Robert Erskine, July 17, 1780, Data for Ascertaining the Width of the North River at Dobb's Ferry
Anthony Wayne to George Washington, July 18, 1780			General Orders Orangetown August 12, 1780
William Scull to Washington, October 29, 1780	John W Watkins to Anthony Wayne, November 10, 1780
Washington to Wayne, November 22, 1780	Headquarters, November 26, 1780	Simeon DeWitt to Washington, November 23, 1780	General Orders New Windsor December 15, 1780

Contains a letter from Simeon DeWitt and Benjamin Lodge to Robert Erskine dated February 12, 1780.

In pursuance of your desire, I beg leave to lay before you a state of the Surveying Department, for the purpose of its being adjusted as shall be thought proper, by the Honble. Committee of Congress appointed to regulate the different Departments of the Army, the Assistant Survey ors of which have represented their situation in a letter addressed to me, of which the following is a copy:

As the Directors of our affairs undoubtedly wish to do justice between the Public and its servants, we beg leave to request the favor of you, when arrived at Philadelphia , to represent the difficulties under which the Surveying Department labor^, at present, which, we flatter ourselves, only requires to be known to be redressed.

Formerly common Surveyors, whose acquaintance with the business was limited by the Needle and Protractor, were paid at least fifteen shillings per day, exclusive of their expenses: while persons of acknowledged abilities received from twenty to forty shillings and upwards; which was a considerable inducement for those whose genius pointed that way to qualify themselves for the profession; whereas, our pay at present is no more than two Continental Dollars a day, without any kind of allowance or emolument, except a ration and travelling expences, a charge allowed in every profession.

The officers in the line of the Army, have received a considerable addition to their pay, under the denomination of subsistance money; besides the benefit of State supplies: and the wages of other Departments of the Army, whose pay was formerly less than ours, has been greatly augmented; while we have been entirely overlooked, merely for want of having proper application in our behalf.

In the present case, we are far from wishing to raise fortunes by the calamities of our Country; but at the same time we believe our Country is as far from wishing us to present our fortunes to them, along with our services, without any prospect of reimbursement, which at present is the case. Our pay, so far from supplying us with clothes, has not been adequate, for these twelve months past, to the furnishing us with shoes, and now is not sufficient for washing.

If therefore the continuance of our Service be thought necessary, we have no doubt that the Surveying Department will be so arranged, as in some degree to make up for the Depreciation; and fix our pay in such a manner, as shall prevent the like inconvenience in future; the readiest way to do which, in. our opinion, would be to regulate it by the price of Specie.

Upon this letter I shall only beg leave to observe, that His Excellency, Genl. Washington, has seen it, and is of the opinion that the allegations it contains are reasonable: to which permit me the liberty of adding, that both my former and present assistants, not only expect a recompense for Depreciation; but that such as continue in, or return to this service, look for an establishment on the same permanent footing with the officers in the Line of the Army.

The number of Assistant Surveyors has varied from two to six; the mean number employed for a Constancy, I suppose to be one Assistant Draughtsman, three field surveyors, and eighteen chain-bearers from the Line.

From Surveys actually made, we have furnished His Excellency with maps of both sides of the North River, extending from New Windsor and Fishkill, southerly to New York; eastward: to Hartford, Whitehaven, etc., and on the west to Easton in Pennsylvania. Our Surveys likewise include the principal part of New Jersey, lying northward of a line drawn from Sandy Hook to Philadelphia; take in a considerable part of Pennsylvania; extend through the whole route of the Western army under Genl. Sullivan, and are carried on from New Windsor and Fishkill northward, on both sides of the River, to Albany, & from thence to Scoharie. In short, from the Surveys made, and materials collecting and already procured, I could form a pretty accurate Map of the four States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey , New York and Connecticut , and by the help of a few Magnetic and Astronomical Observations, with some additional Surveys, a very accurate one.

The charges already incurred from this business have consisted in the Surveyors pay, of four, three and two dollars per day; chain-bearers at half a dollar, travelling expences; the purchase of provisions when beyond the reach owhen beyond the reach of drawing rations; of forrage and horses, when they could not be had otherwise; and of Instruments, Maps, Drawing Papers, &c., &c.

The demands on the Department at present are inconsiderable there being none of any consequence, except an years pay due to myself, with an allowance for extra Rations since I entered the service. Upon the whole, the money I have received from the Quartermaster General or his assistants for the above purposes, and to discharge about 1200 Dollars due on account of Surveying in Pennsylvania, before I had the Direction of the Business, amounts to 25,636 Dollars and an half, the balance of which remaining in my hands on the first instant was 3201, Dollars: the mean therefore of the expence of the Department, for twenty-three months, exclusive of the years pay due me, has been about Thirty-five dollars a day.

I must now trouble you with personal concerns, because necessary, although it is a task I enter upon with reluctance, for how ever much one may be supposed interested in this case, yet the setting forth any matters relative (to) self, are far from affording either pleasure or satisfaction in the Communication.

In the spring of 1777 I began to do business for the Public, by making a sketch of the Country for Genl. Lee; a map of the Jersies for His Excellency Genl. Washington from materials furnished by Lord Stirling; and a few trivial surveys at New Windsor: but did not engage fully in the Continental Service, or receive pay, till the first of June, 1778, when the Commander-in-Chief honoured me with a Commission as Geographer and Surveyor to the Army. At this time, on my pay becoming the subject, I observed that the stated price in Britain, which myself and others of my profession received, was a guinea a day and expences; but, as at this rate, such pay would have exceeded that of a Major General; four dollars and four rations were proposed with which I readily acquiesced; not only as I entered into the service without the view of making a profit or a fortune, but because His Excellency had left the determination of this point almost solely to my own decision: however, it is proper here to observe, that I looked on the four Dollars as a gratuity, which at some future time would be equivalent to so much hard money; and I beg leave to add that though, on a peace, I would not serve either individuals or the Public at an under price, yet I shall be far from expecting or desiring any augmentation while the war lasts, provided my services continue to prove acceptable; and the situation of my family and private concerns permit me to continue to the end of it. On this head it is necessary to be explicit, particularly on this occasion. My family are situated in the mountains, between New York and New Jersey subject to the plundering Banditti from the enemy, by whom my dwelling house has been once robbed already; the situation, however, is inconvenient only in this respect; nor could I move from thence, and continue in my present business, but to the greatest detriment, or even the anihilation of my Fortune, almost the whole of which is risqued in the Continental Funds; and which, on acccount of the depreciation and their present precarious state, has required, and must still require, more of my attention than is consistent with the expediting of business, particularly as I have no assistant draughtsman with me at present, and only one Surveyor: It is an attention, nevertheless, I must now bestow, except I would render myself entirely dependent on my Pay and the favour of the Public; a situation by no means desirable, and which, I presume, all who have the least acquaintance with history or the World, would avoid if possible. From this representation it will be likewise apparent that I could not remove into a Southern Climate even supposing my Constitution would bear the change, which I am of opinion it could not; because on that supposition, I must unavoidably subject myself to the risque I deprecate; and leave a beloved wife a prey to cares, anxieties and Banditti, under which she could by no means subsist; her health having been frequently impaired already from the troubles and solicitudes she has met with, though, thank God, hitherto her resolution and happy flow of spirits, with the little attention I could bestow, have in some measure helped to restore her.

I gladly now quit a subject that has given me pain in the recital, which the justice I owe myself rendered necessary, to observe; that the original protractions and plans already surveyed by the Geographers of the Army are contained in upwards of two hundred and fifty sheets of paper; that with a proper number of hands, which I suppose to be five surveyors and two draughtsmen, such additional surveys of the roads and rivers might be taken in the course of a year, as would afford sufficient data for the forming an accurate map of the middle States; and, that though there would be occasion, at any rate, for Geographers to attend the Army in order to survey and lay down particular districts on a large scale and other purposes; yet the best way to execute this general business with accuracy and dispatch, especially if extended to the other States, would be the establishment of a permanent office for this purpose, but still under the direction and disposal of the Commander-in-Chief during the war.

The Army is to march tomorrow morning four o'clock by the right. The Park of Artillery will preserve its place in the Line and the Baggage Waggons will follow the whole in the order of the brigades; after them the Stores of the Army. Colonel Moylan's horse will bring up the rear.

The Quarter Master General will provide Persons to lead the Column to the ground.

After the Army arrives at the new ground the brigade Quartermasters will apply to the Quartermaster General for a supply of Tents and the means of bringing them on to their respective brigades and follow the directions they receive from him. It is absolutely necessary we should oeconomise our Tents as much as possible and therefore it is expected no brigade will apply for more than are indispensable.

The Surgeons are requested to have the Sick of their respective regiments who are unfit to remain in Camp sent down to the Pumpton road between the Park of Artillery and General Wayne's Quarters Tomorrow morning at three o'clock where Waggons will be provided to carry them off.

Two men from General Hand's and one from Stark's brigades to be sent to Mr. Erskine or his Deputy immediately to serve as Chain bearers a few Weeks.

The General will beat at 3 o'clock tomorrow morning the Assembleé half past three and the March to begin precisely at four. The advance Guard to parade on the road opposite General St. Clair's quarters Major Parr will take command of it. The rear Guard on the right of the Pennsylvania Line which Major Hamilton will command.

A Captain, 2 Subs, 2 Serjeants, 2 Corporals, Drum and Fife and Forty Privates to escort the Baggage.

Colonel Livingston's regiment will take Post in the Clove near the old Barracks and joined by the detachment of General Clinton's brigade already there will furnish such Guard as may be necessary for the Security of the Stores at Ringwood.

In obedience to your Excellency's orders I proceeded with Mr. Erskine to reconnoiter the landing laces from Closter to Dobb's Ferry, & found the following, viz:

Closter landing situate about six or seven miles above Fort Lee & a little south of Phillip's and was formerly made use of by the inhabitants in its vicinity, and rendered practicable for two horse sleds --from the ____ of the mountains to the river is about one half a mile which is too steep and narrow to admit of common carriages--the decent [sic] being equal to one foot in five on an average, nor is there a sufficient area at the dock to turn a team or lodge stores upon--notwithstanding this the enemy found means to carry up a few light field pieces in ___, but from experience I know that artillery can be conveyed by manual labour over precipices and...

Two Captains, four subs, eight serjeants and one hundred and fifty men from each Wing are to be sent at five o'clock tomorrow morning to Dobbs ferry as a fatigue party under the direction of Colonel Gouvion Commandant of the Corps of Engineers. They are to take their Arms and two days provisions with them.

The Issuing Commissaries are to deliver Fatigue Rum on Colonel Gouvion's orders.

A Drum and fife from the right wing to join the Corps of Sappers and Miners 'till further orders.

The recruits or Drafts who have joined the Army this Campaign are to be divided into two classes; the first to consist of those who have been formerly in the continental regiments and those who are in the opinion of their commanding officers sufficiently drilled to mount on the Camp and quarter Guards under the eyes of their officers; These may be permitted to form part of the manoeuvring battalions. The remainder to compose the second class who are not to do any duty except to exercise 'till further orders.

Lieutenant Thomas Doyle⁹³ of the 6th. Pennsylvania regiment is appointed Quartermaster to the same from the 13 of July 1778.

[Note 93: Of the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment. He was wounded at Green Springs , Va. , in July, 1781; transferred to the First Pennsylvania Regiment in January, 1783; served to November, 1783.]

The 1st. Pennsylvania , Jersey 1st. 2d. and 4th. Massachusetts brigades give each a chain bearer to the Geographer of the Main Army, Mr. Erskine, they are to be sent to the Orderly Office tomorrow morning eight o'clock.

The right Wing will give six Masons and a fatigue party of a Serjeant and twelve men to be paraded at the Church tomorrow morning eight o'clock with one day's provisions.

It being of the utmost importance that orders should be regularly and speedily communicated, the Commander in Chief directs 'till further orders, that the Inspectors, Brigade Inspectors and Aides attend the Orderly Office daily at 11 o'clock in the morning to receive general orders and communicate the Wing Division or Brigade Orders. And in case any Wing Division or Brigade Orders are to be communicated at any other hour they are to be sent to the Inspectors and Brigade Inspectors who are immediately to Communicate them to the Wings Divisions or Brigades. The most punctual attendance for General Orders is required and Expected.

The enclosed sketch of part of the counties of Bergen and Orange I have taken the liberty to enclose in consequence of the attention you was to pay my geographical abilities in mentioning me for that department to his Excellency, on which I must request the favour of your presenting to him. The want of materials me to restrict myself to so small a to a survey which I had made for Mr. Erskine in 1778, beginning a little below on the and between the states of N. York and N. Jersey and continued from thence by , , Fort Lee and Tappan to _ with such observations as have occurred when passing through the country. It gives me no small concern that I cannot at this moment second your recommendation with a specimen on a less confined ground [?] and __ __ should appear to have ___ my knowledge in this science which possibly I might be betrayed into by the good opinion Mr. Erskine entertained of me in these respects.

Many things will of course occur in the execution of this business, which it is impossible at this time to...

George Washington to Anthony Wayne, November 22, 1780

Dear Sir: The appointment to which you interest yourself in behalf of Mr. Watkins⁶⁷ does not lay ultimately with me, but as it is more than probable that Congress will consult me before they nominate a successor to Mr. Erskine, I think it but a piece of candor to declare that I think myself obliged in justice to Mr. De Witt, who has been long and constantly in the Office, [and of whose abilities I have] heard [Mr. Irskine speak in very high terms] to recommend him to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Erskines death.

I have been unreserved upon the occasion, because it would not be treating a Gentleman of Mr. Watkins's character with propriety, to amuse him with false expectations. I am etc.⁶⁸

I did not intend to have troubled your Excellency with any applications for an appointment in the Geographical Department, thinking that of what samples of my abilities, the few opportunities I have had have enabled one to give, were thought satisfactory, I would naturally be considered as the first candidate for the present vacancy, but since other applications have been made, I ___ to myself an unreserved declaration of my sentiments on the subject.

The qualifications necessary for executing with propriety the business of a Geographer are perhaps more than what every pretender to the profession conceives – Drawing and surveying tho absolutely necessary are the smallest requisite—in making maps of any extent and laying down the surface of a globe as if it were a plane ___ foreseeable errors will arise; in order to correct which a knowledge of Plain Trigonometry is by no means sufficient, but it requires a prefect acquaintance with the Doctrine of Sphericks – the most accurate mensuration that can possibly be made especially on an irregular surface will never be totally perfect, and when a thousand different surveys come to be joined, the result of all the errors will some where appear; in this case by the help of Astronomy only such correction can be made as will bring the work nearer to perfection – other matters which at first appear to be mere P____, experience will teach a skillful practitioner to consider as deserving of his notice. I could not have made these observations, were it probable they would on the first reflection seem to any but those who have been employed in a business where it is necessary they should be attended to.

Concerning those who have offered themselves as candidates for the head of this Department, I beg leave freely to speak my opinion, as far as my acquaintance with them extends. Mr. Watkins may, through the auspice [?] of his relations have some gentleman so far influenced as to receive a recommendation, but from what I have seen of his performances, I am fully convinced that he is by no means adequate to the business – Scull I have been with as long as he acted under Mr. Erskine and consequently know the extent of his abilities: he is an excellent surveyor as far as practice can make a man such, but in Theory so much deficient as not to know how to take the Lattitude of a place—

Were I entirely disinterested it would perhaps be criminal of one to make these remarks, but since it is now to be determined whether the honor of our works is to devolve to those who are ___ to it or not, and others are ___ the rewards of our labors, I would feel guilty in keeping silent on the subject—

When the War first commenced in this State I had just finished my College Education and intended to devote myself to the study of some one of the Liberal profession, but the commotions of the times prevented it. Governor Clinton, hearing that Mr. Erskine was to be appointed Geographer to the Army, without any previous solicitations on my part recommended me as a proper person for an assistant, and as the business perfectly suited my taste, at the same time that there was a prospect of receiving every improvement from acting under a person of the most ___ abilities I readily engaged and have not been disappointed – having by these means my views carried off from their original object and no channel at this time presenting itself thro which I may attain that established reputation necessary for conducting a person thro the world with honor as well as usefulness to society, my ambition must naturally direct me to aim at excelling at what is now become my profession and in which I flatter myself with a competent proficiency – these are the principle reasons why I would work to continue in a line where I can expect to be most serviceable should my Country think me a person proper to succeed to the vacancy made by the death of Mr. Erskine.

To recommend oneself carries with it a presumption that his character is not established – I acknowledge it to be the case with me; for after considering the short history I have given of myself it will readily be granted that there is no possibility for any but my tutors or the person under whose inspection I acted in this Department to know how far my abilities extend, or which way my genius may point for the proper sphere of my actions.

If I was honorably disengaged from the Army I would not in the least be solicitous for a post which another might possess, but circumstanced as I now am I cannot ___ conceive my reputation at stake while there are persons who endeavor to get me dismissed from the service to make room for themselves: this subjects me to the disagreeable necessity of speaking concerning myself with a freedom which at any other time would not fail to excite a ___.

I hope the occasion of this letter will apologize to your Excellency for any deviation from that modesty I would always wish to observe in mentioning personal concerns.

Sir: I have the honor to Acknowledge your Excellency's letter of the 16th. and 17th. inst. I am much obliged to you for the intelligence transmitted from Governor Jefferson.

It is not in my power, at this time, to furnish the return required of the Officers of the Engineering department; I wait the arrival of General Du Portail, after which it shall be immediately forwarded.

I have not yet published, to the Army, the New Plan for the Inspectors department. The delay has given time to know the sentiments of the Officers concerned. They all think the extra provision inadequate to the extra trouble; if it is not increased, I believe most of the best of them will leave the Office, and it will not be possible to find others, who have the necessary qualifications, willing to replace them. As this institution has been found of singular utility, I am afraid to see it deranged. I therefore take the liberty to mention the matter to Congress, that they may consider the propriety of an augmentation of the allowance, before an experiment is made of the establishment.⁸⁹ The Inspector General being absent, a derangement, at this time, would be more particularly injurious, and it would be severely felt at the commencement of the next Campaign, when we shall again have the greatest part of the Army recruits. When we consider, that to the former extensive duties of the Inspectorship are now added those of the Mustering department, the officers of which have been, in consequence, abolished, it will appear consonant both with oeconomy and equity to enlarge the compensation. Though not

[Note 89: The draft adds: "which will certainly not succeed "; but this does not appear in the letter sent.] extravagant, it would be desireable to have it so liberal as to be a motive with good Officers to undertake and continue.

As the subinspector will have a principal part of the drudgery the extra allowance to him requires most to be augmented, to become an equivalent. 'Tis not necessary there should be any material difference between his and that of the Inspector. The Office of Adjutant General and Assistant Inspector General is peculiarly laborious.

In the new Arrangement of the Army, no notice has been taken of the Corps of Maréchaussee, as this Corps is upon a particular constitution, I imagine it was not intended to comprehend it among the corps to be reduced. I shall be happy to be informed on this subject. Its continuance appears to me necessary for a variety of useful purposes. As the States are to be credited for the men in these distinct Corps the keeping it on foot will not add to the quota of any.

The death of that useful and valuable Officer, Mr. Erskine, Geographer to the Army, makes it requisite that a successor should be appointed. I beg leave to recommend Mr. Simeon De Witt, an assistant of his. His being in the department gives him a pretension, and his abilities a still better. From the character Mr. Erskine always gave of him and from what I have seen of his performances, he seems to be extremely well qualified. I have the honor etc.⁹⁰

[Note 90: In the writing of Caleb Gibbs. The letter was read in Congress on November 30 and referred to Ezekiel Cornell, John Sullivan, and Artemas Ward.]