American Rum 23: George Washington's Rum Papers

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American Rum 23: George Washington's Rum Papers

As we have written in the previous article, we are going to publish more texts on rum written by George Washington during the War.

In this letter, the importance of rum is second only to forage for horses, the fuel of the time.

To Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski:

“Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 26th Jany 1778

Sir.

I have received your two Letters of 20th and 25th Jany. The latter was communicated to the Forage Master, whose answer you will find annex’d—I can only repeat what has been already written on the subject, that if the Cavalry can procure a sufficiency of forage at the quarters first assigned them, that Situation is to be prefer’d—other wise they must undoubtedly retire to the nearest place where this indispensible article can be obtained.

With respect to having the Prices of Articles necessary for the Cavalry, rated, as it is a matter intirely of civil cognizance it can only be done by the Authority of the State—The Scarcity of Rum is so great that the Infantry can only have it dealt to them on certain occasions—your men must therefore content themselves till times of greater plenty.”

In June 1779 the shortage of rum was such that the Commander-in-Chief had to order to get some rum for the soldiers from the stocks of the Hospitals.

To James and Horace Hooker:

“Head Qrs New Windsor June 26 1779

Gentlemen

The distress of the Army for Rum and the impracticability, or at least the difficulty, of procuring a Supply in any reasonable time, has induced me to consent that a quantity shall be drawn from the Hospital Stores, where I have been informed there is much more than can be wanted for the sick. I have therefore to desire that you will deliver to Colo. Wadsworth Commissary General, or to his order All the Rum you have in the public Stores under your care, except thirty Hogsheads, which I should hope, would be more than fully sufficient to answer every Hospital purpose. I am Genn &c.” 

Finally come the French and they bring all kinds of much needed supplies and, at long last, rum too.

To Jeremiah Wadsworth:

“Head Quarters West-point 9th Octbr 1779.

Sir

Should a co-operation with the French fleet take place, it will be indispensible to our measures to have in stock a considerable quantity of good ship-bread, and a much larger quantity of rum than usual. You will however, and at all events, turn your immediate attention to these two objects; so as to have in readiness, and as soon as possible, such quantities of these articles, as from your knowledge of our present consumption, and the additional numbers which must be employed in a co-operation, you may judge fully sufficient. You will also have regard to the season in which we are to operate, in your purchases of rum. These articles are to be stored, relative to this army and a water transportation—or in places from whence they can be easily brought forward. I am Sir your most obt & hble servt

Go: Washington”.

Every now and then, there is good news concerning rum.

To Samuel Huntington:

“Head Quarters Bergen County 10th July 1780.

Sir

I have, with great pleasure, seen the very laudable association of the Merchants of Philadelphia, for procuring a quantity of provisions and Rum for the Army. I am well persuaded, that the same Spirit exists in those of the other considerable trading Towns, who, perhaps, only want being made acquainted with the distresses of the Army, in Articles almost as essential as those of provision, to produce similar associations for the purposes of providing such matters as may be recommended to them.”

Here Washington takes action to bring some order to the distribution of rum.

“Head Quarters Tean Neck Monday August 28th 1780

… Great irregularity having prevailed in the issues of rum to the several brigades; for the future it is to be issued in the following proportion when there is any in the Magazine.

To a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel Commandant half a Gallon week.

To a Lieutenant Colonel or Major three pints per week.

To a Captain two pints and a Subaltern a pint and a half per week.

Rum is to be issued to the soldiery in rainy weather and on fatigue, but on no other occasions except by special order from Head Quarters at a gill man, in the first case it shall be issued on returns signed by the commanding officers of brigades; in the last on returns signed by the Quartermaster General, Adjutant General or officer commanding the Corps of Engineers— This order is not to be deviated from on any pretence whatever.”

The Army has to have rum, by hook or by crook.

To Ephraim Blaine:

“Head Qrs Septr the 7th 1780

Sir

I am informed there is a quantity of Rum in the hands of some persons in the neighbourhood of the State, amounting to about Thirty Hogshead. At present the Army is destitute of any and a Supply is immediately & indispensably requisite, which I find cannot be obtained in the ordinary and usual line. I wish you to try to procure this Rum by purchase or to be replaced in kind in a reasonable time as may be most convenient; but if the Holders of it will not part with it in this way our necessities are so great that You must take it. In this case You will also take care to make proper satisfaction to the proprietors of it, either by returning a like quantity or paying its just value as soon as circumstances will admit. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt St”.

Like most of his contemporaries, Washington believes that rum is good for your health.

Therefore it is twice as important, because it fortifies both the morale and the body of the soldiers.

To Robert Morris:

“Head Quars: Williamsburg Septr 27th 1781

Dear Sir

It is of such essential consequence, in my opinion, that the Army should be regularly supplied with Rum during the present operation, that I cannot forbear interesting myself on the subject. When we take into consideration how precious the lives of our men are, how much their health depends upon a liberal use of Spirits, in the judgment of the most skillful Physicians, who are best acquainted with the climate how meritorious their Services have been & what severe and incessant duties and fatigues are expected from them, we cannot hesitate to determine that the Public ought to incur a small expence, to answer the most valuable purposes, and preserve the lives of a great number of men who have merited extremely well of their Country. I consider it therefore a duty to them as well as to my Country to request that the 50 Hogsheads of Rum mentioned in the inclosed letter from the Commissaries Genl of Purchases and Issues may be procured and forwarded as soon as it is practicable. I am Dr Sir Your most obt servt

G. Washington”.

Peace is nigh, at last. Questions arise now as to the future of the new Nation and a change of cultural mood towards rum starts to materialize. During the war rum was absolutely necessary to boost the morale of the soldiers, and the priority was to have enough rum, leaving all other concerns aside. But now an awareness starts to grow of how dangerous it can be for the health of the soldiers, for the discipline and the efficiency of the troops as we can read in a reflection of his on peace and the future of the Army.

Sentiments on a Peace Establishment, 1 May 1783:

“Newburgh May 1st 1783

Rum should compose no part of a Soldier’s Ration; but Vinegar in large quantities should be issued. Flour or Bread, and a stipulated quantity of the different kinds of fresh or Salted Meat, with Salt, when the former is Issued, is all that should be contracted for.”

On September 3rd, 1783 the Treaty of Paris officially puts an end to the war. Some months later, on December 23rd, George Washington – like a modern Cincinnatus - resigns as Commander in Chief of the victorious army and becomes once again an ordinary citizen. 

Later in his life, Washington entered the alcohol business. In 1797 on his estate of Mount Vernon he built a distillery which was very successful and soon became one of the biggest in America. It produced whiskey though, not rum. A sign that the times were changing, as we are going to see in the next articles.

- Article written by Marco Pierini- 

My name is Marco Pierini, I was born in 1954 in a little town in Tuscany (Italy) where I still live. I got a degree in Philosophy in Florence and I studied Political Science in Madrid. But my real passion has always been History. Through History I have always tried to know the world. Life brought me to work in tourism, event organization and vocational training. Then I discovered rum. With Francesco Rufini, I founded La Casa del Rum (The House of Rum), that runs a beach bar and selects Premium Rums in Italy, www.lacasadelrum.it

And finally I have returned back to my initial passion: History, but now it is the History of Rum. Because Rum is not only a great distillate, it’s a world. Produced in scores of countries, by thousands of companies, with an extraordinary variety of aromas and flavors; it has a terrible and fascinating history, made of slaves and pirates, imperial fleets and revolutions.

I have published a book on Amazon: AMERICAN RUM. A Short History of Rum in Early America.