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1777 Revolutionary War Letter

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"Fabulous Content Letter of Samuel Johnston in 1777 “... the alarm guns were fired and Fort Montgomery taken...”
Samuel Johnston, Autograph Letter Signed, “Saturday Night Esopus, Oct. 18th 1777, Exceptional Revolutionary War Content, one page, 12” x 8.5,” Choice About Extremely Fine.
Johnston is apparently writing to his son as the content and form is so very personal and flowing. In full the letter reads:“Dear Boy -According to your desire I set down to write you not knowing weather [sic] I shall have an opportunity to send it or not.Directly upon you leaving the Camp the alarm guns were fired, and Fort Montgomery taken. I heartily Console with you for so great a loss, as it is. It has them loose up the River, they have burned Esopus - and gone up the River burning everything they can lay their hands on.But I have had the pleasure to Congratulate you on the good & agreeable news, of Gen. Burgoyne and his army falling into the hands of General Gates - who I supposed march’d from Ticonderoga with near or more than 8 Thousand of Briton’s Choicest Troops and in the Course of 8 weeks fell prisoners to the Conquering Arms of America.I suppose we shall march for Albany tomorrow or (the) next day without the Enemy that is playing up and down the River shall go to (New) York. - I am sleepy, S. Johnston”.There is a highly important and choice, clear postscript written vertically on the left side of the page, which boldly reads, in full:“The person that was taken carrying that letter from Clinton to Burgoyne was hanged in this place this day.” Overall, extremely well written in a clear hand and form, with dark brown ink on fine quality laid paper. An absolutely extraordinary and morbid example of the enemy’s wrath during the Revolution! "

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