Lot 999

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Description:

GEORGE WASHINGTON
(1732 - 1799) First President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. West-point, July 28, 1779. Important war-date L.S. "Go: Washington", 2pp. (front and back) legal folio, "Head Quarters West Point", July 28, 1779 to WILLIAM ALEXANDER, LORD STIRLING, in which Washington, fooled by false intelligence, orders Stirling to carefully reconnoiter the region with a view to prevent a British counter-attack in the wake of Stony Point. In part: "...My Lord: I have been deceived I believe, in the information of a considerable Embarkation of Troops in the North [Hudson] River. No subsequent intelligence from deserters and others, speak of such an event, but all agree that the present position of the enemy is from Philips's to East Chester. Tryon and his burning Crew stretching up the River towards Dobbs's Ferry. The foundation therefore of the March of your division to Suffrans [Suffern] was bad; but as it has taken place I shall not alter the position immediately, but wish your Lordship to be in the most perfect readiness to move at a moments warning, light, and without waiting further orders that you do immediately advance to the Forest of Deane [the area about Fort Montgomery] if you should receive advice of the enemy's movement towards Kings Ferry by land or Water in order that you may be ready to afford us timely assistance...I beg your lordship to have the Country between Suffran's and Simon Houses...well explored, as also from Houses to the other Road from the Furnace of Deane to Haverstraw...I wish to know if some middle way cannot be had between the Clove road and that by Haverstraw forge, by which light Troops could March from Suffans to Storms, Brushe's or Clements's; that in case it should be found necessary (to answer particular purposes) for your division to take post thereabouts, it could be done without making a circuitous March...or approaching too near Stoney Point...Some of the intelligent and well affected Inhabitants, accompanied by an Officer or two (acquainted with the Woods) and a small party, would soon ascertain the practicability of a road by the rout here described...". Washington's letter has areas of toning in places and weakness at the central horizontal fold, but has been preserved by expert silking on recto and verso which is nearly indistinguishable. On July 16, 1779 a hand-picked force of Continentals under Anthony Wayne stormed the vital Hudson River crossing at Stony Point, 12 miles south of West Point, devastating British forces there, capturing hundreds and seizing arms, cannon and ordnance stores. West Point was a strategic fortification for Washington's Continental Army as the fortress and defenses there were vital in keeping control over the upper reaches of the Hudson River. This letter demonstrates the great caution Washington took in protecting his position. In the face of Washington's determination to hold the region, the British abandoned the Hudson to increase their attacks in the Carolinas. Stony Point would mark the last significant engagement on the Hudson.

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February 11, 2015 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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