Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana

Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2157. Washington, George. Manuscript letter signed, probably to General Nathanael Greene, 29 November 1777.

Washington, George. Manuscript letter signed, probably to General Nathanael Greene, 29 November 1777

Auction Closed

January 27, 09:56 PM GMT

Estimate

18,000 - 25,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

WASHINGTON, GEORGE


MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ("GO: WASHINGTON"), MOST LIKELY TO TO GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE, ANALYZING MILITARY MOVEMENTS AROUND PHILADELPHIA


One page (10 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.; 265 x 216 mm) on a sheet of laid paper (watermarked foolscap), body of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, "Head Quarters" [White Marsh, Pennsylvania], 29 November 1777; backed with tissue.


Planning before the Valley Forge encampment. This apparently unpublished war-date letter depicts Washington warily assessing the British forces occupying Philadelphia. Although Sir William Howe would threaten the Continental troops for several days, he did not attack, and both armies settled into their respective winter quarters: the British comfortable in Philadelphia, the Americans less so at Valley Forge.


"Every piece of intelligence from Philada. confirms the enemy's intention to move out against this Army, they were to have marched at two Oclock this morning but the Weather prevented. You will therefore be prepared to march on, and join, the moment the Rain ceases. In the mean time, let your troops be preparing provisions for a day or two beforehand if they have it. And by all means take especial care of their Ammunition." A postscript adds that "Yours dated 1/4 past three oClock just came to hand. The above is a sufficient answer to it."


Nathanael Greene had command of a force that had crossed into New Jersey to disrupt foraging by troops commanded by Lord Cornwallis. Washington had earlier ordered Greene to return to the main army; Cornwallis had in fact withdrawn and the march into New Jersey was fruitless. Greene, however, might have still been in the process of recrossing the Delaware because of the difficult weather that week.


This letter is not included in either The Papers of George Washington or The Papers of Nathanael Greene, nor is the text of the recipient's message of "1/4 past three oClock" found in those sources. But the letter can hardly be to anyone other than Greene, who commanded the only detached force of any significance at the time and with whom Washington was in frequent correspondence during the New Jersey incursion.