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LOT #42035 |
Current Bid: $40,000
George Washington Letter Signed...
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Description
Washington Issues Critical Winter Orders to "Mad Anthony" Wayne Just Weeks Before the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny
George Washington Letter Signed ("Go. Washington") to
Brigadier General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Four pages, 8 3/8 x 13 1/2
inches; "Head Quarters at Preakness"; November 27, 1780.
Written in the hand of Washington's aide-de-camp, Tench
Tilghman (1744-1786)."The scantiness of Forage requires every exertion to avoid the consumption of it in and near the Army. The state of our Magazines of provision requires, also, every attention to frugality and oeconomy..."
A significant Revolutionary War letter in which George Washington, facing one of the most difficult winters of the conflict, issues detailed orders to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne regarding the movement, supply, discipline, and winter encampment of the Pennsylvania Line.
Washington writes, in part:
You will march with the division under your command to the ground in the neighbourhood of Morris Town, which Col. Craig has pitched upon for the Winter Cantonment of the Line...As soon as the timber necessary for building is drawn together, you will deliver over to the Deputy Qr. Mr. General all the Waggons and Horses, but such as are absolutely necessary for the transportation of Forage and Fuel...I have directed the Quarter Master General, if it be in his power, to procure Ox teams for the service of the Winter. They are not only subsisted much easier than Horses, but the soldiers and Waggoners cannot abuse them by riding and other uses...
The scantiness of Forage requires every exertion to avoid the consumption of it in and near the Army. The state of our Magazines of provision requires, also, every attention to frugality and oeconomy, for which purpose it will be necessary to inspect the issues every now and then, and compare them with the Returns of the Men. The same may be observed of public stores of every kind, of which our Magazines are almost intirely exhausted. I would recommend, in the strongest manner, the preservation of the persons and properties of the inhabitants from wanton or unnecessary violation. They have, from their situation, borne much of the burthen of the War, and have never failed to relieve the distresses of the Army, when properly called upon.
...it is my wish to see the whole Army take the Field next Campaign, with more than a common uniformity in the performance of all its duties, as we shall, probably, open it in conjunction with the Army of our Allies, composed of some of the first Corps of France; for which reason, it will be doubly incumbent upon the Officers, who remain in service, to perfect themselves in the duties of their respective stations...
The Officers commanding them may be directed to cut off, as effectually as possible, the pernicious intercourse between New York and New Jersey; the most probable way of doing which is, by the total destruction of all the Craft of every kind found between Amboy and Second River [now known as Belleville], which I would recommend, not only upon that account, but to prevent the passage of Deserters. The State of New Jersey has, I am informed, proposed very severe laws against holding an intercourse with the Enemy, and it would, therefore, be well to make yourself acquainted with them..."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the extended description online.
The winter of 1780-1781 proved one of the harshest endured by the Continental Army. Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line suffered acutely from shortages of food, clothing, and pay. Most of the men had enlisted for a bounty of just $20 (a measly sum in comparison to, for example, New Jersey's $1,000 bounty), and many received neither regular pay nor reenlistment money. As the year drew to a close, conditions only worsened; Washington alludes here to that fact, advising Wayne on how to approach the "scantiness of forage" and the fact that their magazine stores were "almost intirely exhausted." It is also clear that he was well aware that mutiny among the troops was a possibility, as he tells Wayne that destroying watercraft along the "Second River" (now known as the Belleville) would serve the dual purpose of cutting off the British and preventing "the passage of Deserters."
Wayne himself recognized the danger of mutiny. In a letter of December 16, 1780, to Joseph Reed, President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, he warned that the troops were near revolt. His fears were realized on January 1, 1781, when soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line, driven by deprivation, mutinied and marched from their winter quarters at Jockey Hollow. Wayne attempted to restore order but ultimately accompanied the troops to Princeton, where negotiations with Reed resulted in a settlement on January 7. Many of the so-called "twenty dollar men" were discharged without punishment, bringing the insurrection to a close.
Washington also states his concern for civilian welfare, cautioning against "wanton or unnecessary violation" of local inhabitants, who had "borne much of the burthen of the War, and have never failed to relieve the distresses of the Army, when properly called upon." His warning finds a striking parallel in accounts such as that of Tempe Wick, whose family hosted thousands of soldiers at Jockey Hollow during the Hard Winter of 1780-1781. Tradition holds that, in January 1781, Tempe was accosted by mutineers of the Pennsylvania Line as she rode out to seek a doctor for her ailing mother; she became a folk heroine for her ingenuity in narrowly escaping the soldiers who tried to steal her horse. This now-famous story lends a sense of prescience to Washington's words.
At the same time, Washington was preparing for renewed offensive operations. The arrival of more than 6,000 French troops at Newport earlier in 1780 created the possibility of coordinated action with allied forces under the Marquis de Lafayette. Washington emphasizes the need for improved discipline and uniformity in anticipation of joint operations, writing of his desire to "see the whole Army take the Field next Campaign...in conjunction with the Army of our Allies, composed of some of the first Corps of France." This order was carried out in June 1781, but first, preparations had to be made to stop the enemy from advancing south or interrupting important lines of communication for the Continental Army. Washington concludes the letter by ordering Wayne to "cut off, as effectually as possible, the pernicious intercourse between New York and New Jersey; the most probable way of doing which is, by the total destruction of all the Craft of every kind found between Amboy and Second River."
This letter stands as a remarkable document of Washington's command, capturing the future President balancing logistics, discipline, and diplomacy-all while the army stood on the brink of mutiny.
Condition: In fair condition considering age and wartime conditions. Evenly age-toned with flattened folds. Minor wear including small separations, chips, and short tears, largely confined to the edges and fold lines; one closed tear just touching the bottom edge of the second "g" in Washington's signature. Evidence of professional repair throughout; verso of first leaf and recto of second leaf backed with fine mesh.
References: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 29, 28 October-31 December 1780, ed. William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2021, pp. 370-373.
More Information: Full transcript:
"Sir
You will march with the division under your command to the ground in the neighbourhood of Morris Town, which Colo. Craig has pitched upon for the Winter Cantonment of the Line, and on which he has been preparing Huts—You will as soon as possible get both Officers and Men compleatly and comfortably covered—As soon as the timber necessary for building is drawn together, you will deliver over to the Deputy Qr Mr General all the Waggons and Horses but such as are absolutely necessary for the transportation of Forage and Fuel—and all the saddle Horses but such as belong to Officers who are intitled from their Rank and Office to keep them. I have directed the Quarter Master General, if it be in his power, to procure Ox teams for the service of the Winter—They are not only subsisted much easier than Horses, but the soldiers and Waggoners cannot abuse them by riding and other uses. It is recommended to the Officers who are intitled to keep more Horses than one, to divest themselves of as many as they can, and the Quarter Master General will be directed to put them out and support them at public expence—The scantiness of Forage requires every exertion to avoid the consumption of it in and near the Army.
The state of our Magazines of provision requires our every attention to frugality and œconomy, for which purpose it will be necessary to inspect the issues every now and then and compare them with the Returns of the Men—The same may be observed by public stores of every kind—of which our Magazines are almost intirely exhausted.
I would recommend in the strongest manner the preservation of the persons and properties of the inhabitants from wanton or unnecessary violation—They have, from their situation, borne much of the burthen of the War and have never failed to relieve the distresses of the Army, when properly called upon.
You will pay particular attention to drawing the public Arms and Accoutrements from the Levies at the time of their dismission.
It is to be hoped that you will recieve a number of Recruits in the course of the Winter. Should you do so, you will put them in training, that they may, by imbibing the Rudiments of a Soldier in detail, be fit to join the line in performing their maneuveres in the Spring—which you will direct to commence as soon as the season will admit.
You will not suffer the established mode of discipline and Maneuvre to be in the least degree deviated from, as it is my wish to see the whole Army take the Feild next Campaign, with more than a common uniformity in the performance of all its duties, as we shall probably open it in conjunction with the Army of our Allies, composed of some of the first Corps of France—for which reason it will be doubly incumbent upon the Officers, who remain in service, to perfect themselves in the duties of their respective stations.
You will on no account suffer a Regiment to be without a Feild Officer or a Company without at least one Commissioned Officer—except some uncommon circumstance should require it.
The security of your Camp will require light patrolling parties to be advanced towards the sound—The Officers commanding them may be directed to cut off as effectually as possible the pernicious intercourse between New York and New Jersey—The most probable way of doing which is by the total destruction of all the Craft of every kind found between Amboy and second River, which I would recommend not only upon that account but to prevent the passage of Deserters—The state I am informed have this session passed severe laws agt the practice, and it would therefore be well to make yourself acquainted with them.
Should you at any time between this and your junction with the Main Body of the Army have occasion to retire from your command for a while, you will deliver over these orders to your successor—who is to do the same should there be a further change.
The Jersey Brigade will be stationed at Pumpton and at Sydmans in the Clove, and will be subject to your general direction. Given at Head Quarters at Prekaness this 27th day of Novembr 1780."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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