American Revolution
Revolutionary War Five-day Furlough Signed by Colonel Jonathan Ward to Captain Luke Drury Dated June 2, 1775
COLONEL JOHNATHAN WARD (AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR - SIEGE OF BOSTON).
June 2, 1775-Dated (Seige of Boston) Early Revolutionary War, Rare Manuscript Document Signed, “J Ward Colonel” being a Handwritten, Five-day Furlough for Captain Luke Drury, “Camp at Cambridge” (Massachusetts), Choice Very Fine. This original, Handwritten Document is 1 page, measuring 7.25” x 2.75” being boldly written and signed upon very clean period laid paper, “J Ward Colonel”. It is the official Five-day Furlough, issued to Captain Luke Drury of Grafton, MA, which reads, in full:

“Camp at Cambridge - June Second 1775 - Capt Luke Drury has leave by a Furlough for five days to be absent from the Camp and the Guard are to let him pass & Repass -- (Signed) J Ward Colonel.”

The “Siege of Boston” began on April 19th 1775 after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, when the militia from many Massachusetts communities surrounded Boston and blocked land access to the then-peninsular town, limiting British resupply to naval operations. It was the opening phase of the American Revolutionary War, in which New England militiamen, who later became part of the Continental Army, surrounded the town of Boston, to prevent movement by the British Army garrisoned within. The Americans, led by George Washington, eventually forced the British to withdraw from the town after an 11-month siege on March 17, 1776.

Col. Jonathan Ward was a member of the Council of War that fortified Charlestown Neck, precipitating the Battle of Bunker Hill. During the battle, Ward and his men manned the rail fence covering the American retreat from Breed’s Hill. This original Furlough is issued and dated exactly two weeks prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) which took place on June 17, 1775!

The 1st Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was initially commanded by General Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury, who was the Commanding General of the Massachusetts Bay Provincial forces, along with Colonel Johnathan Ward (who signed this furlough). His general authority over the troops from the other New England colonies was acknowledged, and he commanded the patriot army at Boston until the arrival of George Washington at Cambridge on July 3, 1775.

On June 17, 1775, Artemas Ward was made Major General in the Continental Army - the first appointment of that rank. Command of the Regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ward, of Southborough, who was promoted to the rank of Colonel on that date. In August 1775, Ward's Regiment was designated "The 32d Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston until its disbandment.

Colonel Johnathan Ward was placed in command of the the 21st Continental Regiment. This Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnant of Fellows' Regiment, and the remnants of Benson's and Bradford's Companies, Cotton's Regiment, along with the remnants of the original Ward's Regiment. Colonel Jonathan Ward commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As the Regiment on the right wing of the Continental Army at Boston, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights. Later, Ward's Regiment remained with the main body of the Continental Army, marching to New York City in April. It also served at Trenton and Princeton, then was disbanded afterward.

Captain Luke Drury’s Company were from the town of Grafton, Massachusetts. They were Geater-Boston area “Minutemen” who had responded to the Lexington-Concord Alarm on April 19-21, 1775. Revolutionary War documents simply listing Minutemen are scarce and desirable; while this original period document is an extremely rare relic actually signed by the soldiers.
The Continental Army was established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, which is also recognized as the founding date of its successor, the United States Army. On that day, the Continental Congress assumed responsibility for militia regiments that had been raised by the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Most of these troops were stationed outside Boston, Massachusetts, where they besieged the city occupied by British troops under the command of General Thomas Gage.

The forces adopted by the Continental Congress amounted to 39 regiments of infantry, and 1 regiment and 1 separate company of artillery. The period of service for many of these regiments ended on December 31, 1775, although some had a service period that expired earlier. The Continental Congress resolved on June 15, 1775 that the Continental Army should be commanded by a full general. This appointment was offered to George Washington, who accepted it the following day. In company with Philip Schuyler and other officers he began the journey from Philadelphia to Boston.

On June 14 Continental Congress also for the first time ordered additional troops to be raised for national defense. It ordered that ten companies of "expert riflemen" be raised in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, specifying their organization, pay, and term of enlistment.

As 1775 came to a close, with no end in sight to the siege of Boston and troops in Quebec preparing to attack Quebec City, Congress authorized a second establishment of the army, with a new regimental structure. The regiments and companies were adopted into the Continental Army by Congress on June 14, 1775.