LAMB'S ARTILLERY An unusual and fine content manuscript document, 1p. folio (16 x 13 in.), [no place], April to June, 1777. Headed "Description of men recruited By [the] Officers of Capt. Robt. Walkers Comp [an]y in Colo, Lambs B [attalion] of Artillery " A highly detailed list of 28 recruits noting the date of recruitment, full name, age, height, complexion, color of hair and eyes, country of birth, occupation, location of enlistment and "Perticular [sic] Markes [sic]". The recruits include many skilled tradesmen including a silver smith, six shoemakers, a tailor, three joiners, two coopers, five farmers, five laborers, and two black smiths. Most of the recruits were in their early to mid twenties with just four teenagers (17 -19) and two men over age 30. Most of the recruits came from Connecticut centered around Waterbury, and Stratford as well as a few from New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Of the non-native born, there were two Irishmen and two from England. The majority of those listed were recruited at Fort Schuyler (Stanwix). Others joined in Connecticut including Stratford, New Haven, Farmington, Hartford and Fairfield. One other member signed up in Albany, New York. Of great interest is the right-hand column noting "Perticular Markes ", some of which are quite graphic and descriptive. While seemingly innocuous information at first glance, these little tidbits of physical description are likely the only visual information extant on these individuals. Most if not all of these men were likely never drawn, painted or photographed at any point in their lives, thus this is our only hint as to how these men actually appeared. Robert Simmons, who joined at Stratford, Connecticut, had "lost his 3d. finger on his Right Hand ". To further distinguish Simmons from other recruits, the author noted that he had a "Black Beard " and was "likely looking". Stephen Mix had "A Scar on the Left Eye " while Benjamin Dean had one on "the fore Head ". For those lacking scars, a mole served just as well, while others were clearly identifiable as they were "Pitted With Small Pox ". Samuel L. Brooks, a joiner from Stratford, Connecticut and Thomas Wheaton, a Shoemaker, were both simply described as "Round Faced". Jeremiah Rian [sic], a 26 year-old from Ireland, could be distinguished by a "Little Shaking with his head ". These specific identifying marks were important for recruiters as they provided a modicum of protection against "bounty jumpers". Many of these men were recruited at Fort Schuyler in the Spring of 1777, just as the neglected fort was being refitted to stand against St. Leger's expedition (to a planned rendezvous with Burgoyne at Albany). An unusual piece documenting recruits to one of the key divisions of Knox's Artillery, Colonel Lamb's Battalion. Colonel Lamb's Artillery, also known as the 2nd Continental Artillery saw much action during the Revolutionary War. John Lamb was with Montgomery at Montr?al and Quebec, where he was captured and held prisoner. Rejoining the army at Morristown in 1777, Lamb was commissioned Colonel and was given command of six companies. Elements of Lamb's artillery were present at Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge, Monmouth, Springfield, N.J., and Yorktown. A few marginal losses affecting several words of text, and partial fold separations expertly repaired with archival tissue, otherwise very good to fine condition. $2,000-3,000