Set of two Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette autograph letters signed ("the M. de Lafayette") to Colonel Daniel Morgan. Includes: One page of a bifolium, 6.25" x 8"; "barn hill" [Barren Hill, Pennsylvania]; May 19, 1778. [Together with]: One page of a bifolium, 6.25" x 8"; Swedesford [Pennsylvania]; May 22, [1778] "at 1 o'clock". Major General Lafayette writes to Colonel Morgan before and after the Battle of Barren Hill. "The enemy are much tired and angry. I went yesterday to barn hill and layd there the night but...I don't doubt but that the english will soon embark...They are much afraid to meet some french..." In May 1778, General Washington detached Lafayette with a large force of approximately 2,000 men to occupy the area near the Schuylkill river to intercept any enemy communication and monitor their movements. Washington advised Lafayette that "a stationary post is unadvisable, as it gives the enemy an opportunity of knowing your situation and concerting successfully against you." Lafayette failed to heed Washington's advice and encamped his men at Barren Hill, located a near equal distance between Valley Forge and Philadelphia. He wrote to Col. Daniel Morgan on the 19th to apprise him of their situation. Morgan, who is remembered as one of the Revolution's most respected tacticians, had command of the Provisional Rifle Corps (Morgan's Riflemen) nearby and sent a detachment of men to join Lafayette. It reads, in part: "I have been sent this side of the Schulchyll with a part of the army whose security is of the highest importance – therefore I beg you would on your side keep the best possible look out that I might be under no concern towards that part. I am oblig'd to go very far down and schould [sic] be afraid of those positions had I not entire confidence in you and the intelligence you will communicate to me. I dare hope you'll act a little out of friendship as well as for any other motive, and trust entirely upon what you'll think proper for my security. Fifty riflemen ordered to join me have not come in yet but I dare say they are on the road, if not, be so kind as to send them." Signed, "the M. de Lafayette." As Washington intimated, a stationary camp was difficult to hide, and the British quickly discovered their location. On the night of the 19th, the same day Lafayette penned the above letter, a much larger British force led by Major General James Grant encircled their position on three sides against the river. On the morning of the 20th, they advanced in what is known as the Battle of Barren Hill. Lafayette was forced to act quickly to avoid a potential massacre and ordered a few smaller parties to approach the British from a distance. General Grant, supposing these parties the head of Lafayette's full force, halted his men to prepare for the battle, thus giving the majority of the Lafayette's men time to retreat with minimal casualties through a backroad to Matson's Ford. Lafayette writes to Morgan once again on the 22nd, discussing the skirmish and the enemy's reaction to the defeat. That letter reads, in part: "I am just going to join his excellency in camp and we schall [sic] only have a party of horse and Col. Makclean's men – so at least I believe – I have been directed to send your riflemen over to you and will forward them the order. The enemy are much tired and angry. I went yesterday to barn hill and layd there the night but (as my intention was to move before light) some suspicions I got of the enemy coming out engaged me to come here. I have receiv'd directions to join the grand army – however I don't doubt but that the english will soon embark as they are putting every thing on board as fast as they can. They are much afraid to meet some french that's between the Capes – God may grant it..." Signed, "the M. de Lafayette." He and his men quickly returned to camp at Valley Forge. Washington credited their escape to Lafayette's "own dexterity or the enemy's want of it." Lafayette's prediction on the 22nd that the "english will soon embark" proved correct as the British evacuated Philadelphia the next month. While the skirmish at Barren Hill was more retreat than battle, it was the first time the young French officer had faced an independent challenge. He successfully navigated his troops out of a situation that could have resulted in significant casualties and demonstrated that Washington's faith in him was not misplaced. These two exceptional letters are accompanied by typed transcriptions, a hand-colored engraving of the Marquise de Lafayette, and an engraving of Morgan. Reference: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 15, May–June 1778, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, pages 151–154; 260–262. Condition: Both are lightly toned and soiled with small areas of paper loss from seal removal upon opening. Likewise, they both contain thin strips of dried adhesive and paper attachment to pages 2 and 3, presumably indicating prior mounting. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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