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Anthony Wayne Autograph Letter...
Description
General Anthony Wayne Issues Orders for Guerrilla Warfare Near British-Held Savannah
Anthony Wayne Autograph Letter (unsigned). One page of a
bifolium, 7 3/8 x 12 inches; "Head Quarters," [near
Savannah, Georgia]; February 27, 1782. Docketed on the verso.A wartime order from General Anthony Wayne, directed to "Major Moore" (likely Francis Moore of the Georgia Continental Line), outlining the conduct of guerrilla campaign in the vicinity of British-occupied Savannah. Wayne pens, in full:
"Sir
You will please to take charge of the Detachment of Infantry, composed of [Lieutenant Colonel James] Jackson & the Militia, you are by no means to have any fixed or local position, but shift your camp every evening after sun set, if any opening offers to a strike a party of the enemy; you will embrace it without risking too much.
Should you obtain timely notice of the advance of any adverse party of Horse, or Foot-too powerful for you-try to draw them on, sending me Intelligence, in the Interim, to the end that I may prevent their retreat, or cover yours.
You will ration the troops, and forage the necessary Horse in a manner, the least distressing to the inhabitants, giving Certificates to every Person from whom it's taken; and use every exertion to prevent the pernicious practices of marauding.
Your own good Judgement will Inform you that the extreme of Caution is necessary to guard against a surprise.
Let me know from time to time where you are to be found-and believe me your-Most obd.t Humble Servant."
He adds a brief postscript: "P. S. youll plan to mount, 5 or 6 of the most trusty soldiers, to serve as expresses &c. "
Following Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in 1781, Wayne moved his men south to Georgia where he maintained a military observation over British-held Savannah. While the area was generally peaceful, the presence of both British and loyalist forces kept the Continental Army on constant alert. Here, Wayne prepares for the possibility of violent conflict, ensuring that his men are vigilant and well-prepared.
Condition: Very good. Light toning and wear commensurate with age and handling; some very minor ink blotting. A few separations, mostly confined to the hinge and blank integral; one long separation at the left edge of the first leaf, touching text but not affecting legibility. An attractive and well-preserved war-date example.
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