Papers of John Adams, volume 21
a
th.1792
the Defeat of our late army & Considering them
Subject to Similar disaster led me to invent Something if posable to Support
them in future, & I believe I may with propriety inform your honour that
I have happyly Obtaind it— Sir it is A Carriage on four Wheels piked all
Round mounts two Cohorns or Small Cannon severl
Blunderbusses &&— Mand by ten or twelve men about the Size of A
Common Waggon only higher A Breast to Cover the men it may be drawn by 2
horses & made use of as A baggage waggon till wanted for the use
intended for—that is to Cover the flank of an Army on A line of march to
form A Front & Rear-Guard—with Great safety & Small fatigue. to
Cover Reconitering parties—to Escort supplys to different Garrosons— A
Sergeant & ten men I am much of Opinion with one of these mooveing
Batterys whole Prove Impregnable against 4 times the number of Indians or
Any Other warriors without the use of Artillery in Action. the horses Are
taken Out & the men under Cover Can Advance or Retreat Nearly as fast on
level Ground with or without it— I have Shown it to Generall Mifflin. he
much aproves of it & told me it was his Opinnion that four of them which
Could be mand by 40 men whould have prevented the defeat of our late
unfortunate Army— Sir if this Should be thought usefull I Should be happy to
Lay it & Some Others Before You that I think will be of great benefite
to the Army—1
I have the honour to be with the / Greatest Respect Your
Excellencys / most Obt hum Servt
sWillis—
Arch Stret No. 203
RC (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S.
Senate); addressed: “His Excellency John Adams / Vice President of the
United / States & President of The / Senate”; internal address: “His
Excellency John Adams / Vice President of the United / States &
President of the / Senate—”; docketed: “1st: Sess: 2d Con: / Thos.
Willis / Letter to the / The. President / April 17th / 1792.”
Philadelphia turner Thomas Willis (ca. 1756–1806) was
a former militia member who previously sought to interest George
Washington in his naval innovations (Washington, Papers,
Presidential Series
, 9:125).