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LOT #42004 |
Starting Bid: $6,000
Anthony Wayne Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
After Naval Defeat, Anthony Wayne Urgently Warns Benjamin Rush of the Perilous State of the Continental Army at Ticonderoga: "the door is Open to Albany..."
Anthony Wayne Autograph Letter Signed ("Antny
Wayne"). Three pages of a bifolium, 10 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches;
Ticonderoga; October 21, 1776.A dramatic and urgent wartime letter from Colonel Anthony Wayne to Benjamin Rush, written in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Valcour Island (October 11-13, 1776) and at a moment when British forces threatened to advance south from Lake Champlain into New York. The letter captures Wayne at Ticonderoga, anticipating an imminent attack and reporting on the weakened condition of American forces. The letter reads, in full:
"My Dear Sir,
I shall not attempt to give my Opinion of the Regiments, or Officers that stand highest in Esteem for military repute or conduct, until the fortune of War Determines whether Americans, or Britains are to Remain masters of this Ground; an event which in all human probability, will be known in a few hours.
They have prevailed over our Fleet - the shatter'd remains of which, are now here; being only Six out of Seventeen- the Enemies fleet and Army are within fifteen miles of this place - the first fair wind brings them up; when perhaps they will Oblige us to meet them on open Ground; our rear being in a great degree neglected. We always depended on our Vessels, to secure that Quarter - that Dependance is now at an end, and if they attack us there, we shall have warm work - it will not be cool to them; or they will be exposed to the fire of two Batteries - tho' not quite so near as I cou'd wish - upon the whole, I am Inclined to think they will choose to make their Assault on the Penns'a lines, it being the Ground that Commands all the other works - and if they are in Possession of them; the door is Open to Albany without ever attacking Mount Independence which stands on the opposite side of the lake to us [.] It is naturally very strong Ground, and occupied by the Eastern troops - but in my opinion will be no Impediment to the Enemy in forming a junction in case they carry this place.
Our Army is not so Numerous as has been given out - for altho we draw Provisions for 12'000 and upwards - we have not more than 6'000 Effective men - of which something less than 2'500 will be on the Brunt of the day - the Remainder being on Mount Independence - (if the Enemy can push their fleet past the Batteries) can lend us no Assistance.
You'll say that matters with us bear a Gloomy prospect - not so fast my Dear Sir - our Soldiers who labour'd hard in making these lines, are one and all determined to defend them or perish in the attempt - add to this that they both fear and love their Officers - and place an Intire confidence in them.
I can't in justice omit mentioning an Anecdote Concerning 100 Penns'a who arrived here the other Evening from the Genl. Hospital at Lake George as where they were lately sent for the Recovery of their healths - on hearing of the Defeat of our fleet, they immediately demanded a Discharge from Doct. Potts swearing they were determined to return to this place and Conquer or die with their Countrymen & brother Soldiers - these poor Emaciated worthy fellows are Intitled to more merit than I have time or Ability to Describe -
I would write you a long letter containing a long list of Grievances; and such intelligence as you Require, but the Enemy will not permit me; it is now three O'clock in the morning - and I am summoned to the Alarm post by the Out Sen[?]. Let us Suffice that we have been most shamefully neglected, and that our people are destitute of every Article and necessary setting for Soldiers - if we Return, we must have these Errors Inquired into.
But if we are not successful, few very few will trouble you on that or any Other matter. For the present you will be good enough to excuse the Incorrectness of this Scrawl - which I have not time to read - and believe me with true Regard Your
Friend and Most Obdt Hum Sert,
Antny Wayne."
Colonel Wayne candidly writes of the status and vulnerable position of the Continental Army-The British advance is within 15 miles-"the first fair wind brings them up," an attack can happen any minute now, and if the British take Ticonderoga, "the door to Albany is Open." Albany was the gateway to the Hudson River Valley, and British take over could potentially segregate New York from New England. The Continental Army has depleted manpower; 12,000 men on paper, half of which (6,000) are effective soldiers, and less than half of that (2,500 men) able to fight on the frontline. He admits "we always depended heavily on our vessels... that dependence is now at an end." This highlights that the Americans failed to have a backup plan and relied heavily on buying time rather than defeating the British outright. The defenses were fragmented with troops split between Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, across the lake, which makes Wayne fear that the Continental forces cannot support each other if the British bypass their naval defenses. Nevertheless, despite the dismal circumstances, the Continental Army remains determined, loyal, and devoted to the cause.
Despite Wayne's expectation of imminent battle, the British advance halted for the season, and no assault on Ticonderoga followed in 1776. The campaign resumed the following year under General John Burgoyne, leading to the capture of the fort in July 1777 and the subsequent Saratoga campaign.
A vivid and immediate account from the northern theater of the Revolutionary War, written in the early morning hours under expectation of attack, combining operational intelligence, logistical assessment, and direct observation of the army's condition.
Condition: In fair condition given the circumstances of writing and sending from camp. The paper heavily toned, with losses affecting text (end of letter) and later annotations. Please consult high resolution images online. The ink retention and legibility are excellent otherwise; light ink erosion and dampstaining in areas. Standard flattened folds and the integral fold reinforced.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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