Bailey, Luther, Continental Captain

Autograph letter signed ("L. Bailey") with postscript signed by Adam Bailey ("Adam Bailey"), 3 pages with integral address leaf (13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.; 343 x 216 mm), West Point, 29 October 1779, to Lt. Col. Ezra Bedlow at Dorchester, Massachusetts, regarding the procurement of proper uniforms for officers, news of  D'Estaing's failed siege of Savannah, a British raid on Somerset Courthouse, New Jersey, and the American evacuation of Stony and Verplanck Points; right margins ragged; hole from seal tear in left margin not affecting text, address leaf discolored at folds. Green cloth folding case, blue morocco spine lettered gilt.

"Our Army is in perfect Hea[l]th & in high Spirits, impatiently waiting for the Count." Luther Bailey, here a captain at West Point,  served through the entire war, ending his service as major of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. He relays news just received by Washington of the failed attempt of General Benjamin Lincoln's troops and Count d'Estaing's French fleet to lay siege to Savannah. On 9 October 1779, the combined forces of Lincoln and D'Estaing attacked the city. Provost's men hold the line and as the attack is repelled. From an initial force of 5,000 men, by the end of the day over 800 French and American soldiers lay dead. Bailey also indicates that the British are renewing their offensive in New Jersey; and in anticipation of an encounter American troops are moved away from Stony and Verplanck Points southeast to Crompound. In spite of D'Estaing's defeat at Savannah, Bailey looks forward to his arrival in the Hudson. He is expecting fresh uniforms from Bedlow, which must have "a perfect uniformity." He is also persuaded that Congress continues to pay the troops "they will meet with but little difficulty in having thir Regiments Compleat by next Spring."