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George Washington autograph letter signed, dated 24 September 1777 at a tenuous moment in the Revolutionary War and only two days before the British captured Philadelphia, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the symbolic seat of Revolution. Washington writes from his ''Camp near Pots Grove'' near the Schuylkill River to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, who was moving west from New York to join Washington during the Philadelphia Campaign. Concerned with the safety of McDougall's troops, Washington here writes a detailed letter, warning him of the enemy lurking in this ''most disaffected Country''. Certainly, the Paoli Massacre, in which British troops completely ambushed Brigadier General Anthony Wayne only four days earlier, must have weighed heavily on Washington's mind.
Letter reads in full, ''Camp near Pots Grove 24th Sept.
/ 1/2 after Seven o'clock PM / Dr Sir / Since I have seen Captn. Faulkner, and learnt your situation from him, & compared it with that of the Enemy, I have become exceedingly uneasy least [sic] they should attempt to interrupt your march, which I think they can, and surely will do, if they have any good advice of your [word crossed out] approach - & of this I have no doubt; as we are in a most disaffected Country. - I have therefore, notwithstanding the two Excerpts sent to you by me, today, and notwithstanding my requesting Lord Stirling to send an officer to you with an acct. of ours, & the Enemy's Situation since, thought it advisable to send the bearer Capt. Dunn with this Letter expressing my uneasiness on your acct. and to request you to strike up the country without getting nearer to the Enemy (who lay between the Schuylkill & the Reading Road (& as some say part of them are at a Mr. Bonner's upon the Reading Road) and come into the Skippack Road at one Gabriel Shulers or even above, as you can always fall down with safety without exposing your Flank or Rear, as you must do in passing directly on to the Trap [tavern hospitable to the Colonists]; where I inferred you and I should be with the army to Night, but afterwards found it necessary to Halt where I am. - When you get into the Skippack Road in the manner here mentioned it may not be amiss to Halt with a proper Front to the Enemy and advise me thereof as I do not know but some position in that part of the Country and on that Road (if the grounds are favourable) would be the best for us to assemble in. -
I have sent you a rough sketch of the Roads &c. to shew [sic] you in what manner the Enemy's Camp, ours & you lay that you may form some idea of the matter if you have not a good map for your government. / I am Dr Sir yr most obedt. Servt. / G. Washington / turn over''.
Although McDougall would ultimately find Washington, it wouldn't be until after the British took Philadelphia, although the capture of the city proved a Pyrrhic victory for the British that delayed them from aiding General Burgoyne at Saratoga, the turning point of the war in favor of the colonists. Two page letter on a single sheet measures 7.875'' x 9.5''. Letter is well preserved, with intact fold lines and bold writing. Expected toning, a few small holes from pen indentation, and browning along center fold. Overall near fine condition given age. Accompanied by a 7'' x 10'' engraving of Washington.
Exceptional George Washington Autograph Letter Signed on 24 September 1777, Two Days Before the British Captured Philadelphia -- ''...strike up the country without getting nearer to the Enemy...''
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