Lot 5


(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) THOMAS HARTLEY
(1748 - 1800) Officer in the American Revolution who commanded the 6th Pennsylvania. He commanded the 1778 expedition against the Iroquois to avenge the Wyoming Massacre. Later served as a representative from Pennsylvania (1789 - 1800). Very fine content A.L.S. 2pp. legal folio, Albany, May 5, 1776 to Jasper Yeates concerning his impending advance into Canada as well as asking Yeates to use his influence to obtain a colonel's commission for a Pennsylvania Regiment. In full: "I arrived here yesterday in good health with three companies of Col. Irvine[']s Regiment. Contrary winds prevent the rest from coming up. I shall proceed to Morrow or next Day at furthest with this detachment on the Quebec -- where they say we have about 3500 men -- General [William]Thompson[']s Brigade is at this time on the Lakes. General Sullivan[']s Brigade in which I am is now all here or on the North River; together we shall make up a considerable Body in Canada. I hope we may arrive there before Howe. Should there be a probability of Howe[']s arriving there before us -- the Town will be stormed by our Troops there. God grant us success. Quebec is now of great consequence -- there has been a treaty with the Indians here -- their Chiefs solemnly engage to preserve a Neutrality -- this is of consequence -- a few Southern Indians may give us some trouble -- but we have very little to fear from the Nations [Iroquois Confederacy] in general -- unless the Scale should turn against us in our dispute with great Britain... I understand there are 10,000 additional troops to be taken into Cont[inental] Service. Penn[sylvania]a will doubtless have to furnish one or more Regiments -- in that case if you thought I merited it -- I would be glad you would use your influence to have me appointed a Colonel. I could raise a Regiment as soon as anyone. The flower of the South would now turn out -- four companies could be had in York County[,] two in Cumberland and the rest in other parts of the province -- and I am confident I could get them armed better than half of the eastern troops I have seen. I shall take particular notice of all the fortifications that I shall meet on my way -- and exert myself to become acquainted with the Duty of an Officer. I hope to share in the honour of taking the Capital of Canada -- in case I should be appointed to the Command prosed. Notice may be sent me by Post -- and I could be with you in a short time. I would not wish to change my present station for the command of any other regiment here -- but I should be happy in commanding a Regiment of Pennsylvanians South -- whom I might discipline and conduct according to my own judgement. I am Dr Sir with my best respects to you and Mrs. Yeates...". After the Americans lifted the siege of Quebec in May 1776, they retreated southward down the St. Laurence reaching Sorel on May 18. Congress, unaware of the realities of the situation on the ground and working with faulty intelligence, urged an American stand against the British at Deschambault between Trois-Riviers and Quebec. At this point, Hartley was moving northward from Albany with John Sullivan to reinforce the Americans in Quebec. They arrived on June 5, the same day that General William Thompson had sent 600 men under Arthur St. Clair to surprise what they believed to be a small British force posted near Trois-Riveres. With the arrival of Sullivan, the attacking force swelled to 2,000. The main attack began on June 8 and the Americans quickly realized they were vastly outnumbered and were soon in full retreat back to Sorel suffering over 200 captured and 30-50 killed. Hartley, for his part, was able to secure his colonelcy on January 1, 1777 and commanded the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment. In 1778, Hartley would command the expedition against the Iroquois in retaliation for the Wyoming Valley Massacre. Slightly rough margins, usual folds, else very good condition.
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