March 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, March 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2020
George Washington letter signed during the Revolutionary War, dated 22 September 1777 during the Philadelphia Campaign. Washington here seeks the help of Major General Alexander McDougall - who's marching from New York, to help him thwart the British advance, whose ''unvaried object has been...to get above us & to turn on our right Flank'', according to Washington, who adds, ''your aid is extremely wanted and cannot arrive too soon.'' Urgent letter by Washington reads in full,
''September 22, 1777 / Dear Sir / I wrote you on Friday last, requesting your earliest arrival with the Troops under your Command, to join this Army. This I must repeat, and have sent an officer on purpose to deliver my Letter, to whom I refer you for the particulars of our situation & that of the Enemy at this Time. I shall only observe respecting them, that the main body of their Army lay last night near French Creek Bridge about four miles from Schuykill on the West side. Their unvaried object has been & it seems still to be pursued to get above us & to turn on our right flank. We are on the East side the River and advance as they do, on the Common Road from Philadelphia to Reading Twenty Eight miles from the Former. From the present complexion of affairs, you should proceed on the most direct Rout leading to Pots Grove about 9 miles above this place; but I wish you, as soon as you approach the Delaware, to advise me by Express, still continuing the Rout I have mentioned, till you hear from me in answer to your Letter, when you will be directed to proceed as circumstances require. I shall not add more, than to urge your unremitted diligence to join me, as early as possible assuring you, that your aid is extremely wanted and cannot arrive too soon. You will write me a line by the return of the officer. / I am Dr Sir / with good esteem & regard / yr most Obedt. Servant / Go: Washington / P.S. your Letter of the 17th just now came to Hand / Ensign McDonald is the Officer''.
McDougall would finally reach Washington, but not until after the British captured Philadelphia on 26 September. He then served with distinction at the Battle of Germantown on 4 October, leading a Brigade under Major General Nathanael Greene. Body of two page letter is written in the hand of Washington's military chief of staff, Robert Hanson Harrison, composed on a single sheet measuring 6.675'' x 8.25''. Small separation at top vertical fold, light chipping to bottom edge and small holes from pen indentation. Overall very good to near fine condition given age.
George Washington Letter Signed During the Revolutionary War's Philadelphia Campaign -- ''...your aid is extremely wanted and cannot arrive too soon...''
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