General George Washington’s Field Headquarters

(Images of tents and equipment, original and recreations)

John U. Rees

Gen. George Washington’s headquarters tents, reproduced by craftspeople at Colonial

Williamsburg, in conjunction with the Museum of the American Revolution. The sleeping marquee
is on the left; the large dining marquee to the right. The storage tent (a horseman’s or wall tent) is
just visible behind and to the left of the dining marquee.
(Photo courtesy of the Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, Pa.)
 Gen. George Washington’s original sleeping marquee is owned by and on view at the Museum of
the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pa. The original dining marquee is in the collections of
the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

Contents

1. “There were two Tents or rather Marquees attached to the baggage”: Eyewitness Accounts of General
Washington’s Headquarters
2. The Sleeping/Office Marquee
3. The Dining Marquee
4. The Baggage Tent
5. Washington’s Enslaved Servants
6. Images of Washington’s Original Military Equipage
7. Manufacture of General Washington’s Headquarters Tents, 1776 and 1778
8. Transportation for Gen. George Washington’s Headquarters and Guard, 1778, and 1780 -82.
9. Miscellaneous Images

Book Recommendation: R. Scott Stephenson, Philip C. Mead, Mark A. Turdo, Matthew Skic,
Among His Troops: Washington’s War Tent in a Newly Discovered Watercolor (Philadelphia, Pa.:
Museum of the American Revolution, 2019)
 “There were two Tents or rather Marquees attached to the baggage”
Eyewitness Accounts of General Washington’s Headquarters
When General George Washington was preparing to take the field near the end of the British
occupation of Boston in 1776, he wrote, “After I have once got into a tent I shall not soon quit it.”

The only known wartime image of General Washington’s sleeping/office marquee. The structure
fronting the marquee is a bower, made of wooden poles and leafy boughs. This is a detail from a
larger painting by Capt. Pierre Charles L’Enfant of the camp at Verplanck’s Point, New York, in
September or October 1782.
See also:
‘Lately apprehended in the first Maryland regiment …’: African American Women with the
Continental Army, https://www.scribd.com/document/449822947/Lately-apprehended-in-the-first-
Maryland-regiment-African-American-Women-with-the-Continental-Army
(With Neal T. Hurst) George Washington’s Wartime Household, Staff, Food, and Equipment,
Washington Papers (Library of Congress), Revolutionary War Accounts Vouchers and Receipted
Accounts, https://www.scribd.com/document/452773583/George-Washington-s-Wartime-
Household-Staff-Food-and-Equipment-Washington-Papers-Library-of-Congress-Revolutionary-
War-Accounts-Vouchers-and-Rec
 “There were two Tents or rather Marquees attached to the baggage”
Eyewitness Accounts of General Washington’s Headquarters

George Washington Parke Custis 1855 essay, “The Tent of Washington”:

There were two Tents or rather Marquees attached to the baggage of the Commander in Cheif
during the Revolutionary War.
The larger that can dine about forty persons, formed the Banqueting Hall for the Grand
Banquet given by Washington to the Officers of the Three Armies, immediately after the
Surrender of YorkTown, when the Victor made the Feast and the Vanquished were the his guests.
-----
The smaller or sleeping Tent, has a history of touching and peculiar interest attached to it, as
related by Colo John Nicholas of Virginia, an Officer of the Life Guard. He said. Altho the
HeadQuarters were generally in a house, yet allways pitched pitched the smaller Tent in the yard
or immediately adjacent to the Quarters, and to this Tent the Chief was in the constant habit of
retiring to write his despatches. His orders to the Officer of the Guard were. Let me not be
disturbed when I have completed my despatches I will come out myself. Let the expresses be
mounted, and in waiting.--
Often would a courier arrive, "bloody with spurring", and shouting, despatches from General
____________ to the Commander in Cheif. Often the travel soiled courier would have time to
breathe a little after a desperate ride, till parting the door folds of the Tent would appear the Man
of mighty labours, the despatches ready sealed in his hand.---- From within those venerable
canvas walls, emanated the momentous despatches that guided the destinies of the Struggle for
Independence.--------
The Tents were originally made in Philadelphia in August 1775, under the direction of Captain
Moulder of the Revolutionary. They were first pitched on the Heights of Cambridge and in 1775,
and are now preserved in the Portmanteau in which they were carried during the whole of the
War of Independence.------
We learn that it is the intention of Mr Custis to bequeath these venerated relics of the
Revolution and of Washington, to the American Army to be preserved among the Military
Archives of the Nation, at the Seat of Government. Till which time, they will be preserved where
they have been for half a century, at Arlington House.

George Washington Parke Custis, “The Tent of Washington,” The National Intelligencer (newspaper),
May 18, 1855. https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/arho/exb/Military/medium/ARHO-2552-Page-
1-of-Letter-.html
___________________

Massachusetts soldier Elijah Fisher served in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard in 1778 and 1779. He
left the following account of a meal in one of General Washington’s marquees.

September l6th [1779]: His Exelency and the Embasendor went and vewed all the fort and battery
that were on West Point and Sarjt. Harris and ten of the Guard went over the river to Gen.
DePotales [Duportaill and carrys a markee and several other things and pitched the markee and at
five of the Clock in the afternoon Gen. Washington and the Embasendor and several other gen.
and officers with them arrived there and dined.

William B. Lapham, ed., Elijah Fisher's Journal While in the War for Independence ... 1775–1784
(Augusta, Me.: Badger and Manley, 1880), 12.
____________________________
 François Jean de Beauvois, Marquis de Chastellux portrait by Charles Willson Peale

François Jean de Beauvois, Marquis de Chastellux, noted in his "Travels in North America":

In the beginning of October [1780], the season being then advanced, without any thing being
undertaking by Admiral Rodney, we had reason to expect that we should remain quiet for the
remainder of the year, and our sole occupation was in preparing winter quarters for the troops.
They took possession of them the 1st of November : and I might now without risk have absented
myself from the army ; but not wishing to show too much anxiety, and desirous of seeing
discipline, and the arrangements relative to the cantonments well established, I deferred until the
11th [November] setting out on a long tour upon the continent ...
Arriving in New Jersey about 22 November, he met James McHenry, one of General
Washington's aides, and left his impression of the commander-in-chief and his headquarters.
Though Doctor [James] MacHenry began by being a Doctor, before he was an officer, and is
well informed, I did not find him much versed in natural history, and I preferred questioning him
on the subject of the army along the front of which I rode, meeting perpetually with posts, who
took arms, the drum beating, and the officers saluting with the espontoon. All these posts were
not for the safety of the army; many of them were stationed to guard houses and barns, which
served as magazines. At length, after riding two miles along the right flank of the army, and after
passing thick woods on the right, I found myself in a small plain, where I saw a handsome
farm ; a small camp which seemed to cover it, a large tent extended in the court, and several
wagons round it, convinced me that this was his Excellency s quarter; for it is thus Mr.
Washington is called in the army, and throughout America. M. de la Fayette was in conversation
with a tall man, five foot nine inches high, (about five foot ten inches and a half English,) of a
noble and mild countenance. It was the general himself. I was soon off horseback, and near him.
The compliments were short; the sentiments with which I was animated, and the good wishes he
testified for me were not equivocal. He conducted me to his house, where I found the company
still at table, although the dinner had been long over. He presented me to the Generals Knox,
Wayne, Howe, &c. and to his family, then composed of Colonels Hamilton and Tilgman, his
secretaries and his aids-de-camp, and of Major Gibbs, commander of his guards; for in England
and America, the aids-de-camp, adjutants and other officers attached to the general, form what is
called his family. A fresh dinner was prepared for me and mine ; and the present was prolonged
to keep me company. A few glasses of claret and madeira accelerated the acquaintances I had to
make, and I soon felt myself at my ease near the greatest and the best of men. The goodness and
benevolence which characterise him, are evident from every thing about him ; but the confidence
he gives birth to, never occasions improper familiarity ; for the sentiment he inspires has the same
origin in every individual, a profound esteem for his virtues, and a high opinion of his talents.
About nine o clock the general officers with-drew to their quarters, which were all at a
considerable distance ; but as the general wished me to stay in his own house, I remained some
time with him, after which he conducted me to the chamber prepared for my aids-de-camp and
me. This chamber occupied the fourth part of his lodgings ; he apologized to me for the little
room he had in his disposal, but always with a noble politeness, which was neither
complimentary nor troublesome. At nine the next morning they informed me that his excellency
was come down into the parlour. This room served at once as audience chamber and dining-room.
I immediately went to wait on him, and found breakfast prepared.
WHILST we were at breakfast, horses were brought, and General Washington gave orders for
the army to get under arms at the head of the camp. The weather was very bad, and it had already
began raining ; we waited half an hour; but the General seeing that it was more likely to increase
than to diminish, determined to get on horseback. Two horses were brought him, which were a
present from the state of Virginia ; he mounted one himself, and gave me the other. Mr. Lynch
and Mr. de Montesquieu, had each of them, also, a very handsome blood horse, such as we could
not find at Newport for any money. We repaired to the artillery camp, where General Knox
received us : the artillery was numerous, and the gunners, in very fine order, were formed in
parade, in the foreign manner, that is, each gunner at his battery, and ready to fire. The General
was so good as to apologize to me for the cannon not firing to salute me ; he said, that having put
all the troops on the other side of the river in motion, and aprized them that he might himself
march along the right bank, he was afraid of giving the alarm, and of deceiving the detachments
that were out. We gained at length, the right of the army, where we saw the Pennsylvania line ; it
was composed of two brigades, each forming three battalions, without reckoning the light
infantry, which were detached with the Marquis de la Fayette. General Wayne, who commanded
it, was on horseback, as well as the Brigadiers and Colonels. They were all well mounted : the
officers also had a very military air; they were well ranged, and saluted very gracefully. Each
brigade had a band of music ; the march they were then playing was the Huron. I knew that this
line, though in want of many things was the best clothed in the army ; so that his excellency
asking me whether I would proceed, and see the whole army, or go by the shortest road to the
camp of the Marquis, I accepted the latter proposal. The troops ought to thank me for it, for the
rain was falling with redoubled force ; they were dismissed, therefore, and we arrived heartily wet
at the Marquis de la Fayette s quarters, where I warmed myself with great pleasure, partaking,
from time to time, of a large bowl of grog, which is stationary on his table, and is presented to
every officer who enters. The rain appearing to cease, or inclined to cease for a moment, we
availed ourselves of the opportunity to follow his excellency to the camp of the Marquis : we
found all his troops in order of battle on the heights to the left, and himself at their head ;
expressing by his air and countenance, that he was happier in receiving me there, than at his
estate in Auvergne. The confidence and attachment of the troops, are for him invaluable
possessions, well acquired riches, of which no body can deprive him ... I distinguished with
pleasure, among the colonels, who were extremely well mounted, and who saluted with great
grace, M. de Gimat, a French officer, over whom I claim the rights of a sort of military paternity,
having brought him up in my regiment from his earliest youth.* This whole vanguard consisted of
six battalions, forming two brigades ; but there was only one piquet of dragoons or light cavalry,
the remainder having marched to the southward with Colonel Lee. These dragoons are perfectly
well mounted, and do not fear meeting the English dragoons, over whom they have gained
several advantages, but they have never been numerous enough to form a solid and permanent
body. The piquet that was kept with the army served then as an escort to the Provost Marshal, and
performed the functions of the Marechaussee, until the establishment of a regular one, which was
intended.
The rain spared us no more at the camp of the Marquis, than at that of the main army ; so that
our review being finished, I saw with pleasure General Washington set off in a gallop to regain
his quarters. We reached them as soon as the badness of the roads would permit us. At our return
we found a good dinner ready, and about twenty guests, among whom were Generals Howe and
Sinclair. The repast was in the English fashion, consisting of eight or ten large dishes of butcher s
meat, and poultry, with vegetables of several sorts, followed by a second course of pastry,
comprized under the two denominations of pies and puddings. After this the cloth was taken off,
and apples and a great quantity of nuts were served, which General Washington usually continues
eating for two hours, toasting and conversing all the time. These nuts are small and dry, and have
so hard a shell, (hickory nuts) that they can only be broken by the hammer ; they are served half
open, and the company are never done picking and eating them. The conversation was calm and
agreeable ; his Excellency was pleased to enter with me into the particulars of some of the
principal operations of the war, but always with a modesty and conciseness, which proved that it
was from pure complaisance he mentioned it. About half past seven we rose from table, and
immediately the servants came to shorten it, and convert it into a round one ; for at dinner it was
placed diagonally to give more room. I was surprised at this manoeuvre, and asked the reason of
it; I was told they were going to lay the cloth for supper. In half an hour I retired to my chamber,
fearing lest the General might have business, and that he remained in company only on my
account ; but at the end of another half hour, I was informed that his Excellency expected me at
supper. I returned to the dining-room, protesting against this supper ; but the General told me he
was accustomed to take something in the evening ; that if I would be seated, I should only eat
some fruit, and assist in the conversation. I desired nothing better, for there were then no
strangers, and nobody remained but the General s family. The supper was composed of three or
four light dishes, some fruit, and above all, a great abundance of nuts, which were as well
received in the evening as at dinner. The cloth being soon removed, a few bottles of good claret
and madeira were placed on the table.* Every sensible man will be of my opinion, that being a
French officer, under the orders of General Washington, and what is more, a good whig, I could
not refuse a glass of wine offered me by him ; but, I confess, that I had little merit in this
 complaisance, and that, less accustomed to drink than any body, I accommodate myself very well
to the English mode of toasting : you have very small glasses, you pour out yourself the quantity
of wine you choose, with out being pressed to take more, and the toast is only a sort of check in
the conversation, to remind each individual that he forms part of the company, and that the whole
form only one society. I observed that there was more solemnity in the toasts at dinner : there
were several ceremonious ones ; the others were suggested by the General, and given out by his
aids-de-camp, who performed the honours of the table at dinner; for one of them is every day
seated at the bottom of the table, near the General, to serve the company, and distribute the
bottles. The toasts in the evening were given by Colonel Hamilton, without order or ceremony.
After supper the guests are generally desired to give a sentiment ; that is to say, a lady to whom
they are attached by some sentiment, either of love, or friendship, or perhaps from preference
only.* This supper, or conversation, commonly lasted from nine to eleven, always free, and
always agreeable. ...

The Marquis ended a description of Washington's demeanor and character with this,

But above all, it is in the midst of his general officers, that it is interesting to behold him.
General in a republic, he has not the imposing stateliness of a Marechal de France who gives the
order ; a hero in a republic, he excites another sort of respect, which seems to spring from the sole
idea, that the safety of each individual is attached to his person. As for the rest, I must observe on
this occasion, that the general officers of the American army have a very military and a very
becoming carriage ; that even all the officers, whose characters were brought into public view,
unite much politeness to a great deal of capacity ; that the head-quarters of this army, in short,
neither present the image of want, nor inexperience. When one sees the battalion of the general s
guards encamped within the precincts of his house; nine wagons, destined to carry his baggage,
ranged in his court ; a great number of grooms taking care of very fine horses belonging to the
general officers and their aids-de-camp ; when one observes the perfect order that reigns within
these precincts, where the guards are exactly stationed, and where the drums beat an alarm, and a
particular retreat, one is tempted to apply to the Americans what Pyrrhus said of the Romans:
Truly these people have nothing barbarous in their discipline!

The translator of Chastellux's "Travels" was an unnamed "English gentleman," who added his own
comments and footnotes to the narrative. In this he mentions his own encounter with General
Washington:

On my return from the southward in 1782, I spent a day or two at the American camp at
Verplanks Point on the North River, and had the honour of dining with General Washington. I
had suffered severely from an ague, which I could not get quit of, though I had taken the exercise
of a hard trotting horse, and got thus far to the northward in the month of October. The general
observing it, told me he was sure I had not met with a good glass of wine for some time, an article
then very rare, but that my disorder must be frightened away; he made me drink three or four of
his silver camp cups of excellent madeira at noon, and recommended to me to take a generous
glass of claret after dinner, a prescription by no means repugnant to my feelings, and which 1
most religiously followed. I mounted my horse next morning, and continued my journey to
Massachusetts, without ever experiencing the slightest return of my disorder. The American camp
here, presented the most beautiful and picturesque appearance: it extended along the plain, on the
neck of land formed by the winding of the Hudson, and had a view of this river to the south ;
behind it, the lofty mountains, covered with wood, formed the most sublime back-ground that
painting can express. In the front of the tents was a regular continued portico, formed by the
boughs of trees in verdure, decorated with much taste and fancy ; and each officer s tent was
distinguished by superior ornaments. Opposite the camp, and on distinct eminences, stood the
 tents of some of the general officers, over which towered, predominant, that of General
Washington. I had seen all the camps in England, from many of which, drawings and engravings
have been taken; but this was truly a subject worthy the pencil of the first artist. The French camp
during their stay at Baltimore, was decorated in the same style. At the camp at Verplank s, we
distinctly heard the morning and evening gun of the British at Kingsbridge. Trans.”

Marquis de Chastellux, Travels in North America in the Years 1780–1781–1782 (originally

published 1827; reprinted New York: Augustus M. Kelley, Publishers, 1970),
______________

French Commissary Claude Blanchard also met Washington and had a meal with him in 1781 at Van
Cortlandt Upper Manor house.

I set out again on the 28th [June 1781] for the American army. I passed by General
Washington's quarters, but as he had changed them I did not see him, and I proceeded directly to
the inn at which I had previously dismounted at Peekskill. I met M. Du Portail, a French engineer
in the service of America, with whom I conversed. He was greatly esteemed by the Americans. I
spent the remainder of the day in the camp and saw two regiments go through their exercise. The
soldiers marched pretty well, but they handled their arms badly. There were some fine-looking
men; also many who were small and thin, and even some children twelve or thirteen years old.
They have no uniforms and in general are badly clad
On the 29th, I got on horseback to see some barracks which had been occupied by an American
regiment during the winter; my purpose was to establish a hospital there. On the road I met
General Washington, who was going to review a part of his troops He recognized me, stopped
and invited me to dine with him at three o'clock. I repaired thither; there were twenty-five covers
[dishes or place-settings] used by some officers of the army and a lady to whom the house
belonged in which the general lodged. We dined under the tent. I was placed alongside of the
general. One of his aides-de-camp did the honors.
The table was served in the American style and pretty abundantly : vegetables, roast beef,
lamb, chickens, salad dressed with nothing but vinegar, green peas, puddings and some pie, a
kind of tart, greatly in use in England and among the Americans, all this being put upon the table
at the same time. They gave us on the same plate beef, green peas, lamb, &c. At the end of the
dinner the cloth was removed and some Madeira wine was brought, which was passed around,
whilst drinking different healths, to the king of France, the French army, etc. I rose when I heard
General Washington ask for his horses, because I desired to have a conversation with him and
Mr. Coster, the purveyor of our army, who had arrived and spoke French well. We all three left
the table; the other officers remained; the lady also withdrew at the same time as we. Our
conference being ended, the general proposed to us to return again to the table for a moment,
whilst waiting for the time of departure. Again some healths were drunk, among others that of the
Count de Grasse ; then everyone rose from table. I have dwelt upon the details of this dinner,
because everything that relates to General Washington seems interesting to me.

Claude Blanchard, The Journal of Claude Blanchard (1780-1783), William Duane, trans., Thomas Balch,
ed. (New York: The New York Times & Arno Press, 1969), 115-117.
https://archive.org/details/journalofclaudeb00blan

List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Washington%27s_Headquarters_during_the_Revolutionary_
War
George Washington, painted by Charles Willson Peale, between July 26 and August 7 1776.
 The Sleeping/Office Marquee

Above and below: The original Washington sleeping/office marquee, circa 1909
Sleeping and Office Marquee
Above: Marquee top without side walls. Below: End wall down, showing inner tent.
 Image of original inner tent for the Sleeping and Office Marquee
(Yorktown Battlefield, a Part of Colonial National Historical Park)
Above: Inner tent without walls. Below: With walls installed.
Sleeping/officer marquees inner tent with walls in place.
John Koopman, portraying the commander-in-chief, sits on a reproduction of an original camp
stool inside the inner tent. On the right is a folding table with a horse canteen sitting below. The
curtained folding camp bed stands behind him. (At 6’2” Mr. Koopman is the same height and
similar build as General Washington.)
Folding camp bed frame.
Folding camp bed, showing mattresses and canopy frame.
 Unmade bed showing three mattresses, as on the original.

Folding bed inside the sleeping chamber, another inner tent, the roof of which is angled to conform
with the sloping marquee.
Three-quarter view showing two pillows laid on top of a bolster, and the bedcovers.
View of the camp bed looking from the inner tent, which served as an office and dressing area.
“Le Général Washington,” Noël Le Mire, Paris France (1780)
(Museum of the American Revolution)
 The Dining Marquee

The dining marquee at Mount Vernon. While the sleeping marquee has three entrances (one center
front and back, and another on the end with the storage area), the dining marquee has only one
door when the sidewalls are in place.
 (Above and below) Dining marquee at Tudor Place, Georgetown, District of Columbia. Above,
storage box for camp tables and stools is in the background. Below, the three poles supporting the
roof can be seen; the sleeping tent is about a third smaller in size and has only two roof poles.
Dining marquee without side wall, at Endview Plantation, Virginia Peninsula.
 The dining marquee set up for dinner for twenty-eight people at Tudor Place, in Georgetown,
District of Columbia. While the appurtenances are modern, this gives a good notion how a large
meal may have been arranged during the War of the Revolution.
 The Baggage Tent

Endview Plantation, Virginia Peninsula.

The equipage in front of the baggage tent included two leather storage valises, a red for the folding
camp bed, two leather canteens, folding camp table and stools, and two large unpainted chests
(each able to hold one folding camp table and six folding camp stools).
Sleeping marquee and baggage tent.
 Washington’s Enslaved Servants

George Washington, by John Trumbull (1780).

William Lee is shown on the right.
(Metropolitan Museum of Art)
See also:
‘Lately apprehended in the first Maryland regiment …’: African American Women with the Continental
Army, https://www.scribd.com/document/449822947/Lately-apprehended-in-the-first-Maryland-regiment-
African-American-Women-with-the-Continental-Army

(With Neal T. Hurst) George Washington’s Wartime Household, Staff, Food, and Equipment, Washington
Papers (Library of Congress), Revolutionary War Accounts Vouchers and Receipted Accounts,
https://www.scribd.com/document/452773583/George-Washington-s-Wartime-Household-Staff-Food-and-
Equipment-Washington-Papers-Library-of-Congress-Revolutionary-War-Accounts-Vouchers-and-Rec
William Lee, Washington’s enslaved body servant.
(Courtesy of Marvin-Alonzo Greer)
Several women of color worked in Washington’s military household.
(Photo courtesy of Cheyney McKnight)
(Photo courtesy of Nastassia Parker)
Emanuel Dabney in Washington livery suit.
(Apparel made by Neal T. Hurst)
 Images of Washington’s Original Military Equipage

One of George Washington’s folding camp stools. Wooden frame and leather seat. Made circa 1776.
Dimensions: 17" H x 26" W x 15" D. Catalog Number: 79371M; Accession Number: 319870.
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. https://tinyurl.com/Mount-Vernon
One of General Washington’s canteens, made to be carried on a packhorse. “To supplement their
often bland military rations, officers of means invested in canteens: small, lidded cases divided into
lined compartments harboring glass bottles filled with wine, liquor, and condiments. George
Washington is believed to have owned the three canteens featured here. Heavily worn, they may
have been acquired during his military service during the French and Indian War or the American
Revolution. They were among the handful of original Washington objects left at Mount Vernon
when the Association purchased the property in 1860.“ Dimensions: Overall (C.1: canteen), 14 1/8
in. x 12 in. x 15 1/2 in. (35.89 cm x 30.48 cm x 39.37 cm); Overall (C.2: liner), 6 1/4 in. x 11 3/4 in. x 8
1/4 in. (15.88 cm x 29.85 cm x 20.96 cm). Object Number: W-350/C.1-C.2. Collections of Mount
Vernon. https://tinyurl.com/Mount-Vernon
Washington’s mess chest and utensils. “George Washington's well-appointed personal camp chest
… enabled him to dine in a manner reflecting his position as commander of the Continental Army.
Two sets of leather covered canteens, or camp chests, were bought by General Washington, on May
3, 1776. Another set of ‘canteens’ captured on a British prize ship were sent for Washington's use in
October 1778. By 1782, General Washington's camp equipage which included canteens, tents,
tables, traveling beds, and various other field equipment, was so extensive that he had to request
that two horses, ‘natural pacers,’ be selected by the Quartermaster General, Timothy Pickering,
just to carry the General's camp chests. We do not know which of the several camp chests
belonging to Washington is in our collections; however, this example is complete with all original
utensils. It contains tin plates and platters, tin pots with detachable wooden handles, glass
containers for condiments such as salt, pepper, and sugar, as well as knives and forks with dyed
black ivory handles. The chest also contains a tinder box, candle stand, and folding gridiron.” Made
1775-1776. Dimensions: overall, 10 3/4 in x 21 1/4 in x 14 in; 27.305 cm x 53.975 cm x 35.56 cm.
ID Number: AF.016111; Accession Number: 13152. National Museum of American History,
Smithsonian Institution. https://tinyurl.com/Mount-Vernon
George Washington’s folding bed, made in 1775 to use while serving as Continental Army
commander-in-chief. Dimensions: Overall (Folded H x W x D), 11 in. × 8 in. × 36 in. (27.94 cm ×
20.32 cm × 91.44 cm); Overall (Standing H x W x D): 48 in. × 36 in. × 72 in. (121.92 cm × 91.44 cm ×
182.88 cm). Object Number: W-473. Collections of Mount Vernon. https://tinyurl.com/Mount-
Vernon
One of Washington’s wartime travelling trunks. “Throughout the Revolutionary War, the security
of his official correspondence and orders was a perpetual concern for General George Washington.
In the intervening weeks between the British evacuation of Boston and his departure to defend
Manhattan, Washington obtained this hair travelling trunk to contain the increasing number of
official papers in his possession. It was likely the first of the many he would purchase for this
purpose. A copper plate engraved "Genl Washington" is nailed to the lid over the initials of the
trunk's original owner, John Head, the Boston merchant from whom it was purchased on April 4,
1776.” Dimensions: Overall, 14 3/8 in. x 36 1/2 in. x 15 3/4 in. (36.53 cm x 92.71 cm x 40.01 cm).
Object Number: W-366. Collections of Mount Vernon. https://tinyurl.com/Mount-Vernon
 Manufacture of General Washington’s Headquarters Tents, 1776 and 1778
1776 Washington Headquarters Tents
George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 5 Financial Papers.
Plunket Fleeson to George Washington, May 11, 1776, Revolutionary War Accounts, Vouchers, and
Receipted Accounts 2 (Image 121).
[Partial transcription]
Coll Joseph Read To His Excellency Genl Washington
th
Philada May 4 1776 To Plunket Fleeson

To making a large Dining Marquee with

Double Front 4-0-0
-- making another large Marquee with a Chamber
of ticken, Arch’d 5-10-6 …
-- making a large Baggage Tent 1-10-0 …
21 yds. Canvas for Seating &c. @ 3/ 3-3-0
27 Gross large hooks & eyes 15/ 1-17-6
12 yds. guard lace 6d 0-6-0
3 Sett tent poles jointed & painted |--- 40/ 6-0-0
Iron work &c |
10 turned tops painted 1/ 0-10-0 …
12 doz. tent pins 1/6 0-18-0
5 doz. tuners 2/ 0-10-0
200 buttons, 4 Malletts 0-12-0 …
To 18 wallnut camp stools, [illegible], |-- @ 15/ 3-10-0
brass nails, girth, tacks, & bottoming |
3 wallnut Camp tables @ 20/ 3-0-0
3 packing Cases Iron clamp’d @ 10/ 1-10-0
__________________________________________

1778 Washington Headquarters Tents

James Abeel Letterbook, Peter Force Collection, Mss 17,402, Library of Congress.

To Charles Pettit

Charles Pettit Esqr. Reading 28th May 1778

Sir By George Fyte & John Hoffmans Waggons you will receive the Undermentioned Articles—
56 Old Tents
36 new do.
5 Horsemans Tents
1 Markee
5 Baggs of Tent Pins
1 Cask of Tent Tops
Four Marque Poles &
1 Ridge Pole
1 Box directed Charles Pettit Contg
96 Orderly Books
6 Leaden Ink Stands
6 Brass do.
6 Papers Ink Powder
3 Pen Knives

Moore Tents shall be sent on in a day or two please to send on the Canvas & Sheeting you have by
you—
I am Yrs
_________

To Charles Pettit

Charles Pettit Esqr. Reading 31st May 1778—

Sir I have your Favour of 30th. Inst: to acknowledge with the Duck & Sheeting which shall be
manufactured soon as possible as you direct—I shall set Capt: Moulder about the Tent for the
Adjutant Genl: it shall be a one as he will like after it is done, I shall in the course of three or
four days send down about 400 Common Tents & Six Horsemans Tents, I have a fine drilling
Horsemans Tent that I had last Campaign and is very good as I made little use of it, this I will
have Curtains made too & send you for your own use untill I can get you a larger made which
I will do soon as we have got a Number for the Field Officers as you desire—If you wou’d take
my advice get a large Horsemans Tent made for Yourself, 25. foot long 12. wide for doing your
Business in or making any other use of, we can have Curtains made to it so as you may have an
Excellent Bed Room & place for your Baggage & a large space besides—When I was at
Bethleham there was Horsemans Tents & Markees besides several the Officers had put in
Private Houses intending them for their own use this Campaign, some of the Officers are now
on furlow and one in Particular Coll: Armstrong who was wounded in the Leg & will not be fit
for Duty this Campaign he had an uncommon large one belonging to the Continent which he
forbid the Person in whose Possession it was to deliver it & still Remains—I shall as Coll:
Morgan thinks I had best go myself on Wednesday for Bethleham & make a thorough Search
for all the Tents &c. & forward them wherever it is necessary I shall be absent only Two days
& half—In my way thither I can procure many necessarys we want much and examine the
houses in a Place called Oly where a Great Number of the Tents &c. belonging to the Army
were unloaded & I can say many have been left as I am assured no Pains have been taken to
[look] for them—
_________
(MARQUEE)
William Nicholls

Willm. Nicholls Esqr Reading 7th June 1778

Sir as we stand in the greatest need for some Girt Webb Hooks & Eyes for Markees we
have to make for his Excellency & Some of the Genl officers I shou’d be glad you would
Endavor to send me on some soon as possible as we cannot finish the Markees untill we have
it—
I am Sr
it must be sent to this place
_________

(MARQUEE)
To George Ross Jr.

George Ross Esqr. Reading 7th 1778—

Sir as we stand in the Greatest need for some Girt Webb, Hooks & Eyes for Markees
we have to make for his Excellency & some of the Genl: Officers I shou’d be glad you wou’d
Endavour to send me on some soon as possible as we cannot finish the Markees until we have
it—it must be sent to this Place—
I am Sr
_________

(MARQUEE)
To Nathanael Greene

Major Genl: Green Reading 7th June 1778

Sir I have already wrote to you this day by Capt. Courter to which I refer—I am sending of
this day to Capt: Chace by the Waggons that brought the Canteens Six Tons of Bar Iron which he
writes he is much in want of, the Person who brought the Canteens on says he was Obliged to pick
up all the Old Iron he cou’d find to work up, besides this I have sent to Bethleham Four Tons of Nail
Spike, Sheet & Bar Iron to Mr: Oakly & one Ton to Mr. Hooper by their Orders, also a Ton of Spike
Iron to Mr. Ross & 1 ½ Ton to Mr: Patton which I purchased myself besides some I am still to send
on to the Eastward, My Money is all gone which, I shou’d, therefore be glad you wou’d send me by
the Bearer at least Twenty five thousand Dollars—I have a Number of Artificers of every kind at
Work in Town & all about the Country, I shall be able in a day or two to Supply all your wants, as
every thing is going on Cleverly here—
Orders are Coming from all Quarters on me for Stores which shall all be Complyed with—I
sent Mr: Pettit a draft of a Horsemans Tent to see if he approved of having his made in that Manner
but I have received no Answer from him as yet, altho I want of know whether he approves of the
plan—His Excellencys Marque shall be finished this Week & sent on with a Number of
Common Tents that are repairing fast as possible—Capt: Hutchens who brought on the Canteens
Informs me a great Number of Tents are on the Road between the Fish Kills & Camp coming from
Boston which he expects will be at Camp soon, be assured every Step in my Power shall be taken to
forward the Supplys for the Army—I shall send on a Number of Camp Kettles in a few days—I am
Extremely Sorry to tell you that I find a very great Abuse in the Waggon Mastr: Genls: Department
at every place I have been, in the first Place some of the Waggon Masters do not drive there Waggons
above Nine or Ten miles a day whereas they can with ease drive 20 Miles besides if they come in of
an Afternoon early instead of Cutting Straw drawing their Fodder and Provisions so as to be ready to
set off early Next morning they take the greatest part of that day to load and draw Provisions so that
they go only 3 or 4 miles at farthest that day, they make it a Rule to Stop at Every Tavern on the Road
and Loiter there time away in short it wou’d take a side of Paper to point out the Abuse in that
Department—while I was Station’d at Suckasunny Plains I made this Agreement with the Waggon
Masters that they shou’d Travel at least 20 Miles a Day steadely on & that whatever they went short
I deducted from their Wages, this made them do their duty and very few Horses were hurt by being
drove too hard, as it [sic] often the Case that they Stop 3 or 4 houses on the Road and then drive as if
the Devil was Driving them by which many good Horses are Ruined as they do not give them time to
cool before they feed them—I some time ago sent you some Cutting Boxes & as I thought they were
not worth having I shou’d be glad they wou'd be examined & you wou’d let me know whether I must
receive the Remainder from Butler—
All the Smiths between this & Lebenon & Lancaster are employ’d making Chains & as they
are all about ye. Country so that I hope you will soon have enough of them I have been Obliged to
borrow 8000 Dollars which are all gone—
I am in haste Sr
_________

(MARQUEE)
To Robert L. Hooper Jr.

Robert L. Hooper Esqr: Reading 9th June 1778

Sir
I wrote you yesterday & sent a Quantity of Iron to you for forwarding to Mr: Chace D Q M
Genl. at Boston you will therefore soon as possible send it forward as he writes me they are in the
Greatest distress for it, being oblig’d to rob the Lamp Posts &ca. more will be sent on this day if to
be had but I can assure you it is very scarce & has taken a Start since I bought £ 20 pr Ton—Can you
supply us with a few Saddle Trees we want them much—I am
Sr
Please to procure me at all Events 12 Pieces
of Scarlet or Red Worsted Binding which
we want to Complete his Excellencys
Markees I cannot do without—
_________
(MARQUEE)
To Mathew Williamson

Mr. Mathew Williamson Reading 14th June 1778

Sir this will be handed you by Mr: Abraham Whitman whom I send down to you for the
Undermention’d Articles, part of which are very much wanted to Complete Two large Marques
we have in hand for his Excellency which cannot be finished without it, as I know you have a
regard for our Worthy Genl. I make no doubt you will take every Step in your Power to procure it,
any Saddler that has it will willingly part with it to serve him,
If you shou’d want Paper or any thing from this Place for the use of your Department by
letting me know it shall be sent you immediately—Have you any Buff cloth for me if you have let
me know or send it by the Bearer with the other Articles of which send an Accot. & the Money shall
immediately be sent you—Underneath you have a minute of articles I want—
I am Sr
About 3 or 4 hundred Yds. of Girt Webb
1 ¾ Inch Broad—
3 dozn. Common Bridle Bitts
4 dozn. good Saddle Trees & some Girt Webb for making up
the Saddles
6 or 8 dozn. Buckles & 6 Dozn. Stirup Irons
1 dozn. Saddlers Punches—
6 Ps. Red Quality Binding 1 Inch wide if possible get the whole of those Articles, if you cannot
get ye. Whole by all means get the Girt Webb. Red Binding & Bridle Bitts the two first Articles
we cannot do without as they are for the Marques—
_________

(MARQUEE)
To John Cox

Coll: Cox Reading 15th June 1778—

Sir since I wrote you this day I have receiv’d Eight Barrels Tar from Mr. Price for Coll: Morgan—
An Express is Arrived from York Town to order on all the Paper that will do for making
Money as they are entirely out, I shall hurry it on from the Mills, As I have not 200 Dollars left
my me, I have sent off near 4000 £ worth of Iron to be different Posts besides other Articles paid
for the Use of the Department, & have now more orders for Iron be assured every step in Power
[sic] shall be taken that will be Beneficial to the department—If you cou’d send me by the Bearer
Coll: Heister 5 or 6 Thousand Dollars it wou’d be of great service to me untill you can send me a
greater Supply—His Excellencys Marque is all done to binding & fixing the Hooks & Eyes
this is made by Women, all our Force shall be bent to the Horsemans Tents, we want more Canvas
as we Work Russia & French together which saves a great deal of stuff—I am Sr
_________
(MARQUEE)
To Robert L. Hooper Jr.

Robert L. Hooper Esqr: Reading 16th June 1778

Sir I want about 200 or 3 hundred yds. of Girt Webb about 2 ½ Inches Broad, also about
Six Pieces of Red Quality Binding to bind two large Marques we are making for his Excellency
Genl: Washington which are all Completed to binding I shou’d therefore be glad you wou’d
send me by Express whatever you can procure—not forgetting my Horse & you will oblige—
Sr
_________
(MARQUEE)
To Unidentified probably to Greene
Reading 16th. June 1778—
Sir
This will be handed you by Capt. Moulder who is going to Head Quarters, by desire of
Col Morgan, Capt Moulder has a very grand Marque in hands for his Excellency which cannot
be finished for want of some girt Web, I have wrote two or three times to Mr Ross at Lancaster
who has it in his power to provide it but either furgets or will not do it altho’ I have mentioned for
what use it was wanted. I have since wrote to Hooper, and William, on at Elizh Town and expect to
get it from one or the other, & shall then finish & send it on. I here Inclose you a Copy of a Letter
recd. from Col Hay & another from Col Wade, I have also one from Col Hollingsworth & Another
from Col Calhoon, who have sent me their Return of Stores, of which you have at foot an Abstract
by some of those Letters you’ll see I shall not get Returns from some of your deputys, untill
you write them, & shall be prevented Complying with your Orders altho’ every step in my power has
been taken to get in the Returns to form a General Return, I have wrote every Quartermaster on the
Continent, I knew of, be fully Assured the Strictest Attention shall be paid to my Duty and every Step
taken to forward the Service—As I am directed to receive & get all raw Materials Manufactured, I
should be glad you mention to Col Morgan to let me have the Management of the Artificers employ’d.
I am sure it will save the public Money and prevent Confusion, Morgan is a fine Stirling Fellow &
exerts himself much as ever Man can for the Interest of the Publick, but it will be much better if he
provides materials, & I get them Manufactored & will prevent Confusion
Mr Hancock arrived here this Evening from Boston on his way to Congress
_________
To Aaron Burr
Reading 18 June 1778—
Sir
Your Man delivered me part of a Marquee which Major Burnet desired might be
finished, as I think it never was Intended for one, as it had no place for walls I detained your Man
untill I had another far preferable put in Order, which you will now receive & I hope may be agreeable
I am
Sir
Your Most Hl Servt
Col Burr
_________
Ichabod Burnet
Reading 18th. June 1778—
Dr Burnet
I received yours, and as it was out of my Power to make a good Marque of the one Your
Friend Burr sent, I detained his Servant untill I could get a much better refitted for him which his
Servant has received it is far preferable to the one he sent, I am Sorry it was not in my power to send
him an Intire new one, his Servt. said he did not want the Poles or I should have sent them likewise,
I shall be very happy in rendering you any Service in our Power & believe me to be with Compliments
to Coll Burr
Your Frd & H Servt
JA
Majr Ichabd Burnet
_________

(MARQUEE)
Abeel To Unidentified
Reading 20 June [July] 1778
Sir
I have by desire of Col Cox ordered a number of Stores to Morristown where Col Cox has
desired I would fix myself for some time as it will be nearer the Army, I shall accordingly soon as
I have got matters in here and the other posts go down, in the mean time I have fixt a proper person
by the Name of Matthew Ernest a discreet good Man who was strongly recommended by their
Excellencys General Washington & Governor Livingston and is Capable of doing the duty, I have
sent a number of Knapsacks & Orderly Books to him which I have desired him to forward to head
Quarters Immediately
Col. Cox during my absence from this Place ordered down all the Tent Makers & Canvas
to Philadelphia to be manufactured so that you will have but few Tents at present, whereas if they
had been suffered to stay here, I think I should soon have a sufficient number for you but Mr Coxes
Orders shall be obeyed, I wrote you some days ago concerning being fixt in Philada. which Letter
I suppose you never have received, Col Cox got it, I think I could have done the publick more
Service there than the Person at present fixt at that Place, being so much more Acquainted with
the duty, besides every think could have been Manufactured under my own Inspection and a great
Expence saved the Department, I see many defects in that department which I could remedy but
Mr. Mitchel is so great a Man that he told me he would not take any advice or direction from me
or even receive any Orders
I could have carried on that Department in every Respect and done the publick more
Service in every than the person at present fixt there, many publick Stores may be found there that
are now consealed by disaffected persons & are much wanted, be assured Genl my Views is not to
fill my own pockets but to render the States all the Service in my power no object shall divert my
Attention from doing every thing in my Power for the Interest of the Publick and the good of the
Service
10 o’clock at neight This moment your favour of the 14 Inst came to hand [writer’s blank] days ago
I sent you [writer’s blank] Boxes Containing [writer’s blank] Setts of Horse Shoes, which I hope will
be come to hand er’e this reaches you as I Ordered them not to delay on the Road, The want of
Waggons has prevented my sending you more, however as I have a promise of a Brigade, I will
tomorrow send you about twenty Boxes contg about 3000 Sett and also about 1000 KnapSacks, I
shall likewise Order all down soon as possibly Waggons can be got to cary them I have a number in
Jersey which I shall likewise forward immediately—I have repeatedly wrote you about the
Adjutant Genls Tent and sent you a draft to know whither you will have it made in that Form
but never received your Answer, however Moulder will in a day or two forward from
Philadelphia three large Marquees one of which was Intended for his Excellency and as he is
Supply’d may Answer Colo. Scammel Col. Coxes ordering the tent makers to Philada has put it out
of my power to do as I would otherwise have done
Soon as I return from Jersey where I am going to hurry on the Supplys I will give you the
Estimate you desire, I have ordered a number of Horse Shoes I have at Mr Faeshes & Ogdens to be
sent on, in six days I will have 6000 Sett on the Road going to Camp if Waggons can be procured
Sheriff has but few he will have 44 Waggons fit for Sending off as soon as he can procure Horses and
drivers Morgan will furnish Some Horses & be assured every Step in my power shall be taken to
forward the Service & believe me to be
Your Most Hl Servt
J Abeel DQMG
_________

(MARQUEE)
To Arthur St. Clair

Reading 24 June 1778—

Sir
By the Bearer you will receive two Horsmans Tents the Markee you mention is lying
unfinished for the want of girt Web, binding, Hooks & Eyes which I have sent to York Town
for, I shall set about finishing a very genteel Markee for you the moment we get our hands back
from Philada. where they all are gone except one, untill that time endeavour to make those
Answer I have sent. you may be fully Assured, I will send You a Compleat Marque with
Thicking Lining—I am with Esteem
Your Most Huml Servt
JA
Majr Genl Sinclair
__________________________________________
 Transportation for Gen. George Washington’s Headquarters and Guard
1778, 1780, 1781, and 1782
John U. Rees

Illustration from William Tatham, Historical and Practical Essay of the Culitivation and
Commerce of Tobacco (London, 1800).

1778 Campaign

Commander-in-Chief’s baggage
7 baggage wagons, 28 wagon horses
Staff baggage
13 baggage wagons, 52 wagon horses

Numbers and apportionment of vehicles and horses based on 30 May 1778 Valley Forge wagon return,
including an allotment of two field pieces to each brigade, for which see, “General Return of Waggons
&ca. with the Army,” Valley Forge, 30 May 1778, Chaloner and White Mss., box 6, folder 3, Historical
Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Two horses have been allocated for each army baggage wagon,
and four horses to every artillery ammunition wagon. Wagon allotment for the two Maryland brigades is
conjectural, based on the known allotment for other brigades. The artillery wagon allotment is conjectural
based on the number of divisions and the artillery wagons listed on the 30 May return. Twenty–nine field
pieces are listed in the 30 May Valley Forge return. Four cannon were absent with Brig. Gen. William
Smallwood’s two Maryland brigades at Wilmington, Delaware, plus artillery wagon support. Two pieces
were also absent with Brig. Gen. William Maxwell’s New Jersey brigade in their home state. That gives a
total of thirty-five cannon with the main army’s brigades, both present with General Washington and
absent in New Jersey.
Washington’s army vehicle allotment for the march to Coryell’s Ferry, based on the 30 May 1778 return
and other documents:
(NOTE: Of the vehicles and horses listed on the 30 May 1778 return, 265 wagons and 1,183 horses were
property of the United States; 43 wagons and 189 horses were private property.)

“’Reach Coryels ferry. Encamp on the Pennsylvania side.’: The March from Valley Forge to
Monmouth Courthouse, 18 to 28 June 1778”
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133301501/“Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-Pennsylvania-side-”-
The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-June-1778
Endnotes:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/133293312/Endnotes-“Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-
Pennsylvania-side-”-The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-June-1778
 1780 Campaign

"Return of Waggons, Horses … &c the property of the United States Army – Camp Tappan – 27th
September 1780"
Commander in Chiefs Baggage (Wagon Conductor, Alexander McCullock)
16 enlisted waggoners, 8 close covered wagons, 7 open wagons, 60 wagon horses, 1 riding horse, 1 saddle,
60 blind bridles, 6 collars, 60 pair hames*, 60 pair traces, 60 back bands, 30 belly bands, 30 “britch” bands**,
15 pair breast chains, 15 pair tongue chains, 15 pair stretchers, 15 pair double trees, 7 wagon covers, 4 water
buckets, 6 tar pots, 60 halters, 60 slips[?], 15 lock chains, 16 feed bags, 6 feed troughs, 6 leading lines.

Staff Baggage
11 enlisted waggoners, 1 tumbrel, 20 close covered wagons, 2 open wagons, 82 wagon horses, 79 blind
bridles, 79 collars, 79 pair hames*, 78 pair traces, 60 back bands, 60 belly bands, 40 “britch” bands**, 25
cruppers, 1 cart saddle, 1 quoiler***, 20 pair breast chains, 20 pair tongue chains, 19 pair stretchers, 20 pair
double trees, 1 wagon covers, 4 water buckets, 8 tar pots, 79 halters, 18 lock chains, 15 feed bags, 16 leading
lines.
"Return of Waggons, Horses … &c the property of the United States Army – Camp Tappan – 27th September
1780," Miscellaneous Numbered Records (The Manuscript File) in the War Department Collection of
Revolutionary War Records 1775-1790's, National Archives Microfilm Publication M859, Record Group 93
(Washington, D.C., 1971), reel 94, no. 27335.

Resource File: Examples of Continental Army Camp Equipage and Vehicle Returns, 1775-1781 (John U.
Rees) http://www.scribd.com/doc/223095304/Resource-File-Examples-of-Continental-Army-Camp-
Equipage-and-Vehicle-Returns-1776-1781-John-U-Rees

1781 Campaign

“Commander in chief family & guard”: four marquees, one horseman’s tent, twenty common tents, and
ninety double knapsacks.
"Estimate of Tents & Knapsacks for the Main Army 1781," target 4, volume 103, Numbered Record Books
Concerning Military Operations and Service, Pay and Settlement Accounts, and Supplies in the War
Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records (National Archives Microfilm Publication M853, reel
29) Record Group 93, NA.

"Proposed distribution of waggons for the campaign 1781"

“Commander in chief, family & guard”: eight “4 horse close covered waggons,” one “2 horse close covered
waggon,” and six “4 ox teams.”

Timothy Pickering, "Proposed distribution of waggons for the campaign 1781," target 4, volume 103,
Numbered Record Books Concerning Military Operations and Service, Pay and Settlement Accounts, and
Supplies in the War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records (National Archives Microfilm
Publication M853, reel 29) Record Group 93, NA.
 1782 Campaign

“An Estimate of Officers baggage wagons with the main army for the campaign 1782”
“For the Commander in Chief, family & guard”: eight “4-horse close-covered wagons,” six “4-horse
[illegible word] covered wagons,” and one 2-horse ditto.”

Timothy Pickering, “An Estimate of Officers baggage wagons with the main army for the campaign
1782,” 15 February 1782, target 4, volume 103, Numbered Record Books Concerning Military Operations
and Service, Pay and Settlement Accounts, and Supplies in the War Department Collection of Revolutionary
War Records (National Archives Microfilm Publication M853, reel 29) Record Group 93, NA.
https://www.scribd.com/document/350372058/Transportation-for-Gen-George-Washington-s-
Headquarters-and-Guard-1778-1780-1781-and-1782

Conestoga wagon, Fort Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

 Miscellaneous Images

John Koopman, portraying the commander-in-chief. (At 6’2” Mr. Koopman is the same
height and similar build as General Washington.)
 Pennsylvania Col. Walter Stewart’s large three pole marquee., circa 1781.
Detail from portrait of Walter Stewart by Charles Willson Peale.

A privet of the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard stands sentry, while a dispatch rider delivers his
message
Reproduction Washington marquees at Mount Vernon.
 Mount Vernon.

Brandywine battlefield.
Williamsburg, Virginia. Commander-in-Chief’s Guard detachment with the sleeping marquee
canvas, poles, ropes, and pins, folding camp bed, leather canteens, and two chests (each containing
one folding camp table and six folding camp stools). All of this gear was loaded on the ox cart
pictured below.
Colonial Williamsburg seamsters and seamstresses with the other linen goods (common
tents, hunting shirts, knapsacks, and haversacks) made after they sewed the Washington
sleeping marquee.