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LOT #42015 |
Starting Bid: $2,000
[Revolutionary War]. George Reid Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
Continental Officer George Reid Writes Home Describing the Sullivan Campaign and the Battle of Newtown: "they endeavour'd to soround us twice the last time there was no other Alternative but to charge Bayonets."
[Revolutionary War]. George Reid Autograph Letter Signed
("Geo Reid"). Two pages of a bifolium with integral address
leaf, 8 1/4 x 13 3/8 inches; "Pumpton" [Pompton], New
Jersey; November 17, 1779. Docketed on the address leaf.Reid, a commander of the 2nd New Hampshire during the Sullivan Campaign, writes to his brother, Jonathan Nesmith, with a detailed report of the Clinton-Sullivan Expedition of 1779. In part (with original spelling as written):
"I can Inform you that through the Blessings of the great Creater and Disposer of all Events I am again Returned to a Christian Land, after a Fatigueing and Tedious Campaign, Nevertheless our Army has been Remarkably healthy; and I think has effectually Answer'd the purposes for which they were Intended; to give you particulars is at present Impracticable; You have no doubt heard of the Engagement we had with the Indians and some Torry at Newtown near Chemong...On the 29th August our light Infantry which was in front of the army Discovered an Iregular Brestwork thrown up by the Indians with the assistance of the Torrys which was considerable well constructed Upon which Genl. Sullivan Order'd Genl. Poors Brigade to March off by Columns to the Right over a Mountain in order to turn their left at the same time Genl. Clintons Brigade was Order'd still further Round to the Right in order if possible to gain their Rear mean while the Cannon was in front of the Brestwork and was to begin the Cannonade when they Imagined we were near round them but on the Cannon beginning to play another battery they Imediatly evacuated it and embodied on the Mountain that we were to ascend which place they had previously appointed to Make a second stand in case they were defeated at the first or at their works when we had ascended up the Mountain a considerable way they began a scattering fire in front upon which we Imediatly wheeled the Column and form'd the Brigade and Advanc'd they flying before us when I received a very heavy fire on the left of my Regiment upon which I was obliged to wheel the Regt. to the left to support it we again drove them after which they endeavour'd to soround us twice the last time there was no other Alternative but to charge Bayonets which the Regt. did with the greatest spirit and bravery when they gave way every one making his escape the best way he Could. I had 1 Corpl. Killd 1 Major 1 Captn. 2 Sergeants 6 Corpls and 6 privets wounded there was about 40 woun'd in the whole among which was Lt. McCalley who first had his leg Amputated and afterwards lost his life.
We have Travel'd through the Richest Country this Campaign that ever my eyes saw Destroy'd an Imence Quantity of corn beans &c. burn'd 40 Towns some of them very Considerable but I must disest wou'd be exceeding happy to hear good news from home as I have not heard the least sylable from that part since I left it..."
He adds a brief postscript at the conclusion: "P.S. You may Inform your Neighbour Willson that his son is well...Daniel McCalvain who was wounded at the Battle at Newtown and is not yet return'd from the the Hospital but is like to do well tho wounded through the body."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.
The Clinton-Sullivan Expedition, ordered by George Washington in June 1779, was a major campaign aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by Loyalist-aligned Iroquois forces in the Northeast. The devastating Cherry Valley Massacre of 1778 had convinced American leadership that decisive action was necessary. The campaign that followed was one of systematic destruction, intended to eliminate the ability of Iroquois communities to support British operations.
The August 29 battle referenced here by Reid was the Battle of Newtown. In that engagement, American forces under General John Sullivan encountered a fortified position held by approximately 350 Seneca, Cayuga, and Delaware warriors, supported by Loyalists. Reid describes both the initial difficulty of the approach and the eventual success of coordinated flanking maneuvers and a decisive bayonet charge. Although the Americans ultimately prevailed, in the end they lost some eight dead and thirty-nine wounded.
George Reid's own service spanned nearly the entire Revolutionary War. He joined the patriot cause immediately after the battles of Lexington and Concord, raising militia and marching toward Boston. He remained in service until his regiment was disbanded in 1784. After the war, he continued in public life, commanding militia forces during the Exeter Rebellion in 1786 and later serving as Sheriff of Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
A compelling firsthand account of one of the Revolutionary War's most consequential campaigns.
Condition: Very good. Lightly toned with flattened folds and wear commensurate with age and handling. Several small separations at the fold lines, affecting a few letters; some light, scattered staining. Slight deckling to edges. Visible mends to the blank integral and the right of the second page. Minor loss to address leaf where letter was opened. Highly legible.
More Information: Full transcript:
"Dear Brother
I can Inform you that through the Blessings of the great Creater and Disposer of all Events I am again Returned to a Christian Land, after a Fatigueing and Tedious Campaign, Nevertheless our Army has been Remarkably healthy; and I think has effectually Answer'd the purposes for which they were Intended; to give you particulars is at present Impracticable; You have no doubt heard of the Engagement we had with the Indians and some Torry at Newtown near Chemong, However for your further satisfaction I will give you succinct Acct. of the Matter. On the 29th August our light Infantry which was in front of the army Discovered an Iregular Brestwork thrown up by the Indians with the assistance of the Torrys which was considerable well constructed Upon which Genl. Sullivan Order'd Genl. Poors Brigade to March off by Columns to the Right over a Mountain in order to turn their left at the same time Genl. Clintons Brigade was Order'd still further Round to the Right in order if possible to gain their Rear near where the Cannon was in front of the Brestwork and was to begin the Cannonade when they Imagined we were near round them but on the Cannon beginning to play another battery they Imediatly evacuated it and embodied on the Mountain that we were to ascend which place they had previously appointed to Make a second stand in case they were defeated at the first or at their works when we had ascended up the Mountain a considerable way they began a scattering fire in front upon which we Imediatly wheeled the Column and form'd the Brigade and Advanc'd they flying before us when I received a very heavy fire on the left of my Regiment upon which I was obliged to wheel the Regt. to the left to support it we again drove them after which they endeavour'd to soround us twice the last time there was no other Alternative but to charge Bayonets which the Regt. did with the greatest thrust and bravery when they gave way every one making his escape the best way he Could. I had 1 Corpl. Killd 1 Major 1 Captn. 2 Sergeants 6 Corpls and 6 privets wounded there was about 40 woun'd in the whole among which was Lt. McCalley who first had his leg Amputated and afterwards lost his life.
We have Travel'd through the Richest Country this Campaign that ever my eyes saw Destroy'd an Imence Quantity of corn beans &c. burn'd 40 Towns some of them very Considerable but I must disest wou'd be exceeding happy to hear good news from home as I have not heard the least sylable from that part since I left it.
You wou'd lay me under the greatest Obligation to you if you wou'd take a little Notice of my Affairs at at home and Advise with Moly in Matters that are Dificult.
My love to sister & children my being at home is uncertain.
I am with great Respects
You Loving brother
Geo Reid
P.S. You may Inform your Neighbour Willson that his son is well as is all that come from the Town except Daniel McCalvain who was wounded at the Battle at Newtown and is not yet return'd from the the Hospital but is like to do well tho wounded through the body."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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