Partly printed document signed by John Hancock as President of the Continental Congress, for Epaphras Bull (1748-1781). [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], 10 January 1777. 1 page, ## x ## in. Completed in manuscript and attested by Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson (1729-1824).

A fine appointment for a heroic officer who served as George Washington's spy and was killed during the Revolutionary War.

Bearing the iconic signature of John Hancock, this document appoints Epaphras Bull (1748-1781) as "Captain in a Regiment of Light Dragoons, Commanded by Colonel Elisha Sheldon." After the hostilities at Lexington, Epaphras Bull was made a member of the "Committee of War," convened in Connecticut to lead an expedition against Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On 10 May 1775, Bull took part in the surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga under the command of Colonel Ethan Allen. Before the attack on Crown Point, Colonel Allen appointed Bull to escort prisoners-of-war to Hartford. In November 1776, Bull was appointed Commissary of Prisoners of War in Connecticut.

This document represents Bull's formal entrance into the Continental Army, now as Captain of the Second Continental Dragoons, also known as "Sheldon's Horse" after their commander Colonel Elisha Sheldon (1740-1805). The regiment was a successful one, with Captain Bull serving in the victorious campaign against British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga. Bull also successfully led a portion of the Dragoons at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.

In August and September 1778, Bull served a spy, writing directly to General George Washington, reporting on ship movements in Long Island Sound, allowing General Washington to assess the strengths and objectives of the British in New York City. Several letters between the two are extant and held at the Library of Congress (George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence 1697-1799, MSS 44693: Reel 051) and the National Archives (The Papers of George Washington, Revolution War Series, vol. 16, 1 July-14 September 1778).

On 1 August 1779, Bull was promoted to major of the First Continental Dragoons, but the next month received mortal wounds during the siege of Yorktown and died at Williamsburg, Virginia on 30 September 1781.

A highly desirable Revolutionary War document and an important appointment for a heroic officer who was killed during the Revolutionary War, enhanced further by the iconic signature of Founding Father John Hancock.

[Revolutionary War, Colonial America, Connecticut, Militia, Fort Ticonderoga, Continental Congress, Espionage, Spy History, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Declaration of Independence, Politics, Presidents, Generals, Documents, Manuscripts, Ephemera]