Beschreibung:

Autograph letter signed, to his son Dr. James Armstrong regarding the battles of Lexington and Concord, war preparations in Cumberland County and a visit by Benjamin Franklin .
Shippensburg, 11 May 1775. 2 pages, with integral address leaf (12 ¼ x 7 ¼ inches, 310x185 mm). Condition: Foxing, usual folds, separations at folds to the address leaf, hole on address leaf from opening. very rare letter by the hero of kittanning, with superb american revolution content. Best remembered for his service in the French and Indian War, and particularly for leading the Kittanning Expedition against Delaware Indians on the Pennsylvania frontier, Armstrong played a significant role in the early days of the American Revolution. As such a well-regarded (albeit retired) military commander, he was looked upon to lead the Pennsylvania militia. Armstrong begins this letter to his son by relating news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which had taken place a month prior. “From my last letter you might naturally about this time have expectations of seeing me in Virginia, but the very alarming news of the late Action near Boston (of which I take for granted you must had some acct) together with the intelligence of 14 Regiments & 15 Frigates beside Horse & Marines having sail'd either for Boston or New York in order to enforce the submission of the Colonies to the late execrable Acts &c. These things, and their natural attendants have for the present prevented me the pleasure of almost every private matter on earth. He continues the letter by describing the state of excitement in Cumberland County, the formation of militias, and writes that the county’s Committee of Safety has asked him to command the forces. “Cumberland is very unanimous in the common cause but their movements not easily directed in any one uniform line. The Committee of this County however, have resolved to Pay five hundred Men for the protection of the Continental Congress if requisite, or any other immergency that the publick servise may require. The whole County are now under a military Association & begining to assemble for exercise. The Committee have been so far wrong as to chase me at this late day of life to Command the Troops they may send…” Although here he protests due to his age, he would accept the position, be commissioned by the state as a Brigadier General, and on 1 March 1776 receive the same rank in the Continental Army. Armstrong continues the letter with news of a visit by Benjamin Franklin relating military intelligence, and concerning Franklin’s selection of James Wilson to represent the county at the Second Continental Congress. “ Dr. Franklin is lately arrived and chosen a Delgate by our assembly for the Congress, & is our Mr. Wilson who set out yesterday. It's said Franklin brings accounts that only three thousand men with som marines and two or three Troops of Horse (the Horses to be purchased at New York) are at present acoming. A Second action has been daily expected at Boston of which we have yet no advice. These are the most solemn days America ever saw! God to shorten them.” Wilson would become one of the nine Pennsylvania representatives to sign the Declaration of Independence in the session of Congress following this letter. The letter concludes with family news and concerning horses. Armstrong would serve throughout the American Revolution, including playing a significant role in engineering the defenses at Charlestown, SC, as well as leading Pennsylvania troops at the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown before serving in the Continental Congress [see the next lot].