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LOT #42033 |
Starting Bid: $20,000
George Washington Letter Signed...
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Description
Washington Issues Orders to Anthony Wayne to Strike at Bull's Ferry: "The enemy have so many emissaries among us that scarce a move or an order passes unnoticed"
George Washington Letter Signed ("Go: Washington") to
Brigadier General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. One page of a bifolium with
integral address leaf, 8 1/8 x 13 inches; "Head Quarters Colo.
Days," [New Jersey]; July 20, 1780. Written in the hand of
Washington's aide-de-camp, Tench Tilghman (1744-1786).
Docketed in Wayne's hand on the address leaf.In the spring of 1780, the British garrison in New York City began to suffer from shortages of supplies, prompting a series of raids into nearby Bergen County, New Jersey. Aware of British activity in the region and determined to maintain proximity to the main British force in New York, Washington established his headquarters in Bergen in early July, alongside General Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line. Wayne, eager to retaliate for British depredations, resolved not to let the summer pass without action and, on July 19, submitted a plan of attack to Washington.
After reviewing the proposal overnight, Washington issued the following orders, authorizing Wayne to proceed and thereby initiating the Battle of Bull's Ferry. He writes, in full:
"Dear Sir
You will proceed with the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania Brigades and Colo. Moylans Regt of Dragoons upon the execution of the Business planned in yours of yesterday. I do not at present think of any necessary alterations in plan submitted to me, except that of detaching a few Horse this Afternoon to patrol all night, and see that the Enemy do not, in the course of the Night, throw over any troops to form an ambuscade. They need not go so low down, or in such numbers, as to create any alarm. They may inquire as they go, for Deserters, after whom they may say they are in pursuit. The enemy have so many emissaries among us that scarce a move or an order passes unnoticed. You are so well acquainted with the critical situation of the Ground, that it is needless in me to recommend the extreme of caution. I most heartily wish you success being with real Esteem
Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington."
The American forces struck on the morning of July 21, with Wayne's artillery opening fire on the Bull's Ferry blockhouse. Although the bombardment inflicted little structural damage, it achieved its intended effect by drawing the attention of British forces stationed in Manhattan. British troops began embarking on boats to cross the Hudson River toward New Jersey, precisely as Wayne had anticipated. Continental units had been carefully concealed along likely landing points, prepared to ambush the British upon arrival.
However, as Wayne watched, the British vessels halted midstream and, as if sensing the trap, turned back toward the New York shore. The carefully laid ambush failed to materialize, and the operation did not achieve its intended result.
Washington's warning regarding British intelligence proved well founded. The prevalence of spies and informants within American lines was a constant concern, and within weeks, his fears would be dramatically confirmed by the treason of Benedict Arnold, who defected to the British in September 1780.
Condition: Overall very good. Lightly toned with flattened folds. Minor edgewear, including small chips and separations at the fold lines, not affecting text. A few small pieces of tape, minor adhesive staining, and light pencil annotations on the integral blank and address leaf.
References: "George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1780," Founders Online, National Archives.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
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27 Days
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