August 9th in American History: Starting With Washington’s Orders About Horse Teams 250 Years Ago

Introduction to this day in history.

Once in awhile, I like to do a short post sharing what happened on this day in history- in fact, you may have noticed I have a whole category dedicated to noting specific moments in our shared American history!

This morning, as I've been working on email and Instagram graphics, I got the bug to reach back 250 years. (it is an era of 250ths nowadays isn't it?) So here we go... this day in history, the August 9th edition.

RELATED: Click here to jump to the "This Day In History" category on the blog.

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The Marquis de Lafayette on horseback, Colonial Williamsburg

Washington took command in June of 1775.

After officially being named Commander-in-Chief in June of 1775, it was vital for General George Washington to assess and organize. He left Philadelphia for Cambridge, Massachusetts and truly took command.

Below are his instructions to John Goddard, named the wagon master general of the Army. You may know this, but I have a love for horses- and so this bit of history drew me in!

In context, it's Washington outlining details on issuing teams of horses.

Instructions to John Goddard, 9 August 1775

Instructions to John Goddard

[Cambridge c. 9 August 1775]

1. The Army being in 3 Divisions, Roxbury, Cambridge & Prospect Hill under the Majors Genl Ward, Lee & Puttnam you are to have a sufficient Number of Teams for the Service of each Division.

2. When any Person applies to you for a Team he must produce an Order from the Commander in Chief, one of the Majors General for whose Division the Service is to be done, or the Commissary General otherwise you are not obliged to pay any Regard to it.

3. Once a Week on every Saturday you are to make a Return to the Commander in Chief of the Number of Teams in Service & what Work they have been employed the preceding Week—taking special Care not to put the publick to needless Charge by providing & keeping more Teams than are absolutely necessary.

4. As to the Manner in which the Teams are to be fed it will be best they should find themselves & be paid accordly. The Carts or Waggons may be numbered & the Number with the Words Continental Army on a Board put on some Part of the Cart or Waggon most easily seen.

For the instructions with notes and citations, click here and open the Founders Archives in a new tab.

RELATED: My post about Washington taking command.

Team of Colonial Williamsburg horses, driven by coachman Adam.

Other August 9th events in American history.

Just because... I'll drop three more bits of "this day in history" for y'all. Did you know that August 9th also marks:

• 1974: Gerald Ford taking the presidential oath of office after President Richard Nixon's resignation. Click here to open his speech in a new tab.
• 1945: On a darker note, the atomic bomb was dropped by the United States onto Nagasaki. Read more here.
• 1969: Staying in the darkness, August 9th was the date of the Charles Manson cult killings of Sharon Tate and her close friends. And a phenomenon of a truly dark decades-long fascination with Manson began. I recently found an outstanding interview about it on American History Hit's podcast. Click here to listen.

Calls to action.

America's 250th is in progress.

Want to keep an eye on events celebrating America's 250th? Click here and search by state.

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.