Beschreibung:

AMHERST, Jeffery (1717-1797), General, British Army. Document signed ("Amherst"), Office of Ordnance, [London], 1 November 1776. 1 page, folio, integral blank, small chip at lower left-hand corner, docketed "proportion for issuing Ball cartridges for service of Hessian Troops going to America." AMHERST ISSUES ARMS TO HESSIAN TROOPS BOUND FOR AMERICA Amherst had played a pivotal role in the military victory over the French, capturing Louisbourg in July 1758, then Fort Duquesne (Pittsburg), Fort Ticonderoga and, in September 1760, Montreal. He was rewarded with the absentee post of Governor of Virginia, and in 1772 became Commander-in-Chief, in which role he supported the King's coercive policies against the American colonies. Here, at an early stage in the hostilities, Amherst authorizes the issuance of ammunition to the first group of Hessian mercenaries about to be dispatched to America. "Mr. Richard Veale Storekeeper at Portsm[outh] justified in having Issued out of His Majesty's Stores...the Ammunition undermentioned being for service of the First Division of Hessian Troops; commanded Lieut: General [Leopold Philip von] Heister. By Order of the Board 11th October 1776." The ammunition is specified as "Fill'd Musqt. Ball Cartridges - 68,404 Flints for Musquets - 40,000 Shot for D[itt]o - 10." Heister (1707-1777) commanded the first contigent of Hessians sent to America in May 1776, and after serving at Long Island, White Plains and Trenton, was recalled in 1777.