COUNTERING LOYALISTS ON THE NEW YORK FRONTIER DURING THE YORKTOWN CAMPAIGN A good content A.L.S. of Lt. Col. GEORGE REID (1733-1815), an officer in the 2nd New Hampshire who took command of the regiment upon the capture and execution of Nathan Hale and was present at Saratoga. Fine content war date L.S. 1p. 4to., [place illeg. but near Albany], Oct. 14, 1781, an interesting letter shedding light on other theatres of operation when the eyes of the country were focused upon the unfolding events at Yorktown. As Washington's troops were surrounding Yorktown, General Heath was stuck in the Hudson Highlands with a token force of 2,500 to guard against Clinton's 17,000 in New York. It was at that point that confusing reports were received that a British column was sailing down lake Champlain and another from Oswego forcing him to detach the 2nd New Hampshire to reinforce Marinus Willett at Albany. Reid writes: "I am Ordered by Genl. Heath to proceed to Albany with the 2nd N Hampshire Regiment & from thence to Join Genl. Stark at Saratoga which from late accounts ought to be perform'd with all Expedition. I am at this place which is about 13 miles from Albany wind bound & no like to get any further without your Assistance. You Will if possible send down boats to transport 300 men with their Baggage to Albany; Or if that is not practicable send Waggon [sic] by land to move the Baggage up...". Willett and his forces managed to rout Loyalist and British forces, mortally wounding the notorious Tory, Walter Butler. Usual folds, irregular margins, otherwise very good. $300-400