Bidspirit auction | ISRAEL PUTNAM

ISRAEL PUTNAM - (1718 - 1790) Continental Army general officer who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill, as temporary commander of the American forces in New York while waiting for Washington's arrival there, and at the Battle of Long Island. He also served notably as an officer with Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War. PUTNAM SENDS PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA TO PROTECT WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE Rare, superb content war-dale L.S. 'Israel Putnam', 1p. 4to., Peekskill, [1777], to an unnamed fellow general. In full: '...The Camp Kettles, Tents & Cartridges, Boxes, etc. which you ordered last night, were sent off yesterday morning; last night the General Officers & myself determined upon reinforcing you with the full York Militia, accordingly I issued orders for the same, which I apprehend is now upon their march to join you; It is reported here that you have received an Express from the Northern Army, which gives an account of Burgoyne's Army being defeated. If any such news be around beg you'l inform me. In haste Dr. Genl, your very Obdt Svt Israel Putnam' Brittle, with fold splits repaired on verso with archival tape, some chips along margin and in interior affecting a few letters of text, still overall very good. In all likelihood, from the tone and content of the letter, Putnam sent this message to his superior, George Washington. In August 1777, Washington suspected a British attack on Philadelphia, and commenced moving his troops south. On September 26, Howe finally outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia unopposed. Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777, so this letter was probably written sometime shortly thereafter. Congress moved from Lancaster to York to use the Susquehanna River as a natural barrier to hamper the future maneuvers of the British Army. Washington gave instructions that every road east of the Schuylkill River and to the Delaware River would be covered by pickets of armed militia to prevent the enemy from advancing into the country, and to harass them as best they could. He also hoped to prevent the British from attacking the fatigued troops at Valley Forge, and to some degree, stop the flow of food and other necessities to the city. For this effort, the York Militia was employed - poorly fed and equipped, and undermanned. Meantime, Putnam was fooled in October 1777 by a feint executed by British troops under the command of General Henry Clinton, making way for Clinton's capture of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. A great historical letter.