Butler, Richard, Continental General

Autograph letter signed ("R. Butler"), one page bifolium (13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 340 x 212 mm), Camp, 23 July 1780, to Anthony Wayne, consoling him on his defeat at Bull's Ferry on 20 July, integral address leaf docketed on verso by Wayne; top margin browned, tape repairs to central fold, edges a bit frayed. Teal cloth folding case, black morocco spine, red morocco lettering pieces.

Butler consoles Wayne after defeat at Bull's Ferry. On 20 July 1780, General "Mad Anthony" Wayne led two brigades of Pennsylvania militia, supported by four artillery pieces, in an attempt to destroy a fortified blockhouse located approximately four miles north of Hoboken, in Bull's Ferry, New Jersey. The blockhouse was surrounded by iron stakes and defended by 70 Loyalists, who managed to hold on to it despite the best efforts of the Americans. Patriot casualties in the unsuccessful assault were 18 men killed and 46 wounded. The debacle inspired John André's satirical poem, "The Cow Chace."

Butler writes: "I hope you ... will not allow our disappointment to give you the least uneasiness as you are certain all was done that the consequence of the place deserved; & Indeed our Situation, & the general movements of the Enemy could justify [;] its [sic] true more blood might have been spilt & many valuable lives more lost, but it must have certainly been tho^t wantoness in us to have done so after finding our artillery too light & the place so very difficult of access. We find in all wars, that properly Constructed Blockhouses are not only the best & easiest to be defended species of fortification, but the most bloody & Expensive in the Reduction, and as you did not fully know its strength or precise sittuation, & assurd by the Comd^g officer of artillery (who I suppose did not think it was Inclos^d with a work of Earth) that six P[oun]d^rs would traverse any blockhouse, I cannot think you have the least reason to be disattisfied, & more especially, as there is reason to hope the great Purpose (of attracting the Enemys attention) is anse^d. ...  I ... find that all my people are return^d & hope there is very little loss from any of the others on the march. My officers sincerely wish another attempt may be made with proper artillery, & my soldiers breath[e] veng[e]ance."