WASHINGTON, George, President . Letter signed ("G: o Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, to Brigadier General Henry Knox (1750-1806), "Head Quarters," Valley Forge," [Pennsylvania], 15 January 1778. [With:] WASHINGTON. Autograph free frank signature ("G: o Washington"), on lower portion of address panel to "Brigadier General Knox at Boston." 1 page, folio, integral address leaf with Knox's autograph endorsement, browned, two small holes at fold intersections, one slightly affecting a letter of Washington's signature, address leaf with seal hole and several blank sections torn away, neatly tipped to a mount, framed. VALLEY FORGE, JANUARY 1778: COLLECTING MUNITIONS FOR THE DISTANT SPRING CAMPAIGNS After the end of the disappointing Philadelphia campaign, Washington and his 10,000-man army had gone into winter camp in mid-December at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, a site so inhospitable that Baron Johann De Kalb wrote that it must have been selected on the advice of a land speculator, a traitor or by a council of ignoramuses. Construction of huts to house the men was delayed and essential supplies, meat, blankets, shoes and medicine, quickly ran out. By mid-January many of Washington's troops were in dire straits despite Washington's exertions on their behalf. Here, perhaps determined to carry on normal military planning in spite of his army's plight, Washington takes steps to ensure an adequate supply of artillery munitions for the distant spring campaign. "Should it be thought expedient to draw a Body of Men together early next Spring, it will be necessary for us to know precisely what number of Arms we could have ready for such an emergency. I have desired Col. Flowers to make me a return of all the Magazines under his immediate direction, and have wrote to the Commissary at Springfield to do the like. You will be pleased to make the proper inquiry for such as may be in Boston and any other places in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, have them collected and properly deposited and a Return of them made to me as soon as possible. There may probably be quantities of Arms laying up and down useless at present for want of repairing; be pleased to endeavour to have them collected and put into a way of being fitted up. I shall be glad to hear what steps are taking to recruit the Army, and of any other matters that relate to the Service...." Published in Fitzpatrick, 10:308. WASHINGTON'S LETTERS FROM VALLEY FORGE ARE VERY RARE ON THE MARKET: in the past 25 years, American Book Prices Current records only two examples, both of which were dated May, at the end of the grim encampment.
WASHINGTON, George, President . Letter signed ("G: o Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, to Brigadier General Henry Knox (1750-1806), "Head Quarters," Valley Forge," [Pennsylvania], 15 January 1778. [With:] WASHINGTON. Autograph free frank signature ("G: o Washington"), on lower portion of address panel to "Brigadier General Knox at Boston." 1 page, folio, integral address leaf with Knox's autograph endorsement, browned, two small holes at fold intersections, one slightly affecting a letter of Washington's signature, address leaf with seal hole and several blank sections torn away, neatly tipped to a mount, framed. VALLEY FORGE, JANUARY 1778: COLLECTING MUNITIONS FOR THE DISTANT SPRING CAMPAIGNS After the end of the disappointing Philadelphia campaign, Washington and his 10,000-man army had gone into winter camp in mid-December at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, a site so inhospitable that Baron Johann De Kalb wrote that it must have been selected on the advice of a land speculator, a traitor or by a council of ignoramuses. Construction of huts to house the men was delayed and essential supplies, meat, blankets, shoes and medicine, quickly ran out. By mid-January many of Washington's troops were in dire straits despite Washington's exertions on their behalf. Here, perhaps determined to carry on normal military planning in spite of his army's plight, Washington takes steps to ensure an adequate supply of artillery munitions for the distant spring campaign. "Should it be thought expedient to draw a Body of Men together early next Spring, it will be necessary for us to know precisely what number of Arms we could have ready for such an emergency. I have desired Col. Flowers to make me a return of all the Magazines under his immediate direction, and have wrote to the Commissary at Springfield to do the like. You will be pleased to make the proper inquiry for such as may be in Boston and any other places in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, have them collected and properly deposited and a Return of them made to me as soon as possible. There may probably be quantities of Arms laying up and down useless at present for want of repairing; be pleased to endeavour to have them collected and put into a way of being fitted up. I shall be glad to hear what steps are taking to recruit the Army, and of any other matters that relate to the Service...." Published in Fitzpatrick, 10:308. WASHINGTON'S LETTERS FROM VALLEY FORGE ARE VERY RARE ON THE MARKET: in the past 25 years, American Book Prices Current records only two examples, both of which were dated May, at the end of the grim encampment.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
