Thomas Willis to John Adams, April 16, 1792

Philad a Aprill 16 th. 1792

Sir,

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 sever l 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 Ob t hum Servt

Tho s Willis— Arch Stret No. 203