MUHLENBERG, JOHN PETER GABRIEL, Major General, Continental Army . Orderly book of the Virginia campaigns, 25 October 1780--17 April 1781, partly in his hand, partly in unidentified officers' hands, signed "P.Muhlenberg B.G." (on fol.74v). 142 pages, oblong 4to, 192 x 153mm. (7 1/2 x 6 in.), written in ink in a notebook of 86 leaves (numbered in an early hand), bound in calf-backed paper boards, covers detached, the paper browned, some ink show-through, but otherwise in good condition. GENERAL MUHLENBERG'S ORDERLY BOOK OF STEUBEN'S VIRGINIA CAMPAIGNS A detailed record of the daily orders and instructions given to the mixed force of Virginia militia and Continentals charged with the defense of the state during a period in which the British army, for the most part, dominated the theater. The ordely book has been in family hands since Muhlenberg's time and the record is entirely unpublished. It had been Washington's plan that Muhlenberg (a Virginian) would command the Old Dominion army, but he did not reach Richmond until May 1780, due to poor weather, and in the interval Baron von Steuben was assigned the command, with Muhlenberg becoming his second. For a good account of the complex, largely defensive operations during this period see Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, "Virginia, Military Operations in." The general orders transcribed here contain a wealth of detail regarding units, their commanders, camp life, problems in arming and supplying the troops and news from other American units. 25 October 1780: "The troops under marching orders are to be arranged immediately into Light Companies of 80 each...the Capts. are to take a list of their Companies on the spot...." Petersburg, 27 October: "...The volunteers from Loudon County are to be arranged to Col. Gibson's Regt...." Cypress Mills, 2 November: "The General requires the Gentleman Offiers to prevent their men from straggling....The General likewise forbids in the most positive terms the unmilitary practice of firing about the camp..." Stoners Mills, 7 November: "His excellency the Governor [Thomas Jefferson?] has been pleased to transmit the following Resolutions of the...Council relative to the arms put in the hands of the militia...." 19 November: Complaining of those who, "void of every principle of Virtue & Honor, have so scandalously deserted the Service of their Country, at this critical period," who will be dealt with severely by Courts Martial. Bay Church, 17 November: "The Loudon Volunteers & Lt. Col. Jones detachment is to be annex'd to the first State Regiment...The Second State Regiment to be composed of the troops from Cabin Point...The Brigades will be arranged as follows..." 2 February 1781: The General has the happiness to congratulate the Troops...on the Glorious Victory obtained by a detachment...to the Southward Commanded by Genl. [Daniel] Morgan over part of the British Army commanded by Col. Tarleton..." (an account of the important Battle of Cowpens, S.C. follows)...."The General has just received intelligence that the Enemy are advancing towards Smithfield [on the James River], and directs the Troops to hold themselves in readness to march..." 15 February 1781: "The general has the pleasure to inform the Troops that a French fleet is arrived in our Bay...&...we shall immediately begin to act offensively..."
MUHLENBERG, JOHN PETER GABRIEL, Major General, Continental Army . Orderly book of the Virginia campaigns, 25 October 1780--17 April 1781, partly in his hand, partly in unidentified officers' hands, signed "P.Muhlenberg B.G." (on fol.74v). 142 pages, oblong 4to, 192 x 153mm. (7 1/2 x 6 in.), written in ink in a notebook of 86 leaves (numbered in an early hand), bound in calf-backed paper boards, covers detached, the paper browned, some ink show-through, but otherwise in good condition. GENERAL MUHLENBERG'S ORDERLY BOOK OF STEUBEN'S VIRGINIA CAMPAIGNS A detailed record of the daily orders and instructions given to the mixed force of Virginia militia and Continentals charged with the defense of the state during a period in which the British army, for the most part, dominated the theater. The ordely book has been in family hands since Muhlenberg's time and the record is entirely unpublished. It had been Washington's plan that Muhlenberg (a Virginian) would command the Old Dominion army, but he did not reach Richmond until May 1780, due to poor weather, and in the interval Baron von Steuben was assigned the command, with Muhlenberg becoming his second. For a good account of the complex, largely defensive operations during this period see Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, "Virginia, Military Operations in." The general orders transcribed here contain a wealth of detail regarding units, their commanders, camp life, problems in arming and supplying the troops and news from other American units. 25 October 1780: "The troops under marching orders are to be arranged immediately into Light Companies of 80 each...the Capts. are to take a list of their Companies on the spot...." Petersburg, 27 October: "...The volunteers from Loudon County are to be arranged to Col. Gibson's Regt...." Cypress Mills, 2 November: "The General requires the Gentleman Offiers to prevent their men from straggling....The General likewise forbids in the most positive terms the unmilitary practice of firing about the camp..." Stoners Mills, 7 November: "His excellency the Governor [Thomas Jefferson?] has been pleased to transmit the following Resolutions of the...Council relative to the arms put in the hands of the militia...." 19 November: Complaining of those who, "void of every principle of Virtue & Honor, have so scandalously deserted the Service of their Country, at this critical period," who will be dealt with severely by Courts Martial. Bay Church, 17 November: "The Loudon Volunteers & Lt. Col. Jones detachment is to be annex'd to the first State Regiment...The Second State Regiment to be composed of the troops from Cabin Point...The Brigades will be arranged as follows..." 2 February 1781: The General has the happiness to congratulate the Troops...on the Glorious Victory obtained by a detachment...to the Southward Commanded by Genl. [Daniel] Morgan over part of the British Army commanded by Col. Tarleton..." (an account of the important Battle of Cowpens, S.C. follows)...."The General has just received intelligence that the Enemy are advancing towards Smithfield [on the James River], and directs the Troops to hold themselves in readness to march..." 15 February 1781: "The general has the pleasure to inform the Troops that a French fleet is arrived in our Bay...&...we shall immediately begin to act offensively..."
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
