JOHN STARK (1728 - 1822) American Revolution brigadier general engaged at Bunker Hill, Trenton and Princeton, winner of the battle at Bennington against Burgoyne, and served on the court-martial that condemned Major John Andre. Extremely fine content war-date manuscript D.S. "John Stark BG ", 1p. 4to., Albany, July 10, 1778 ordering Major Nicholas Quakenbush to scour the Saratoga battlefield for abandoned supplies! Stark writes in full: "Sir: you are hereby Authorized to make search for the Goods, and stores of All kinds Whatsoever, left by Genl. Burgoyne, on his Retreat from Bemus [sic] heights to Saratoga and Wherever, or Whosoever such Stores or Effects, shall be found with, you are hereby Impowered [sic] to Seize said Affects for the use & Benefit of these United States & all officers, both Civil & Military, are Required to be Aiding & Assisting you in procuring said Articles & this for so doing shall be your Sufficient Warrant, Given under my and at Head Quarters Alby this 10th day of July 1778 John Stark B G ". Why Stark waited so long after the fact to mount a recovery operation is unknown as the battlefield would have been likely picked clean by scavengers at this point. Stark was not present at Saratoga, but his key victory over German mercenaries at Bennington helped seal Burgoyne's fate and made the victory in October 1777 possible. After the second battle at Saratoga, it was Stark's brigade that blocked Burgoyne's northern route of retreat forcing him to come to terms with Gates. Quakenbush, a member of a powerful Dutch family of the Hudson River Valley, served as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General in the Continental Army, serving at Albany throughout the war. Usual folds, light foxing, very slightly trimmed at top margin else very good condition. $3,000-4,000