Lot 2014 email save

1781, Letter from Lt. Col. Henry Dearborn

Sign In to see what this sold for

Autographs

---

Supplying Continental Soldiers Provisions Returning From The Battle of Yorktown A November 1781 Revolutionary War Autograph Letter Signed by Henry Dearborn "QM"

HENRY DEARBORN, Revolutionary War Military Officer and Secretary of War under Thomas Jefferson.
November 13, 1781-Dated docket, Historic Revolutionary War Autograph Letter Signed, "H. Dearborn, Lt. Col.(onel) QM" (Quartermaster of the Continental Army), 1 page, 12.5" x 8," Very Good with reinforcements on reverse. This original letter was fully written by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Dearborn, while in his capacity as General George Washington's Quartermaster. It is addressed to Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, concerning the Continental Army's need for cattle and forage on their return from the historic Yorktown Campaign.
This historic Wartime letter has a 1" hole from the corresponding wax seal tear when opened and fold separations which have been reinforced on the blank reverse side and around the outer edges with large strips of off-white 3/4" wide, cloth tape and sold as is as such. Some paper loss is noted at the very top, which has removed most of the date area. However, the date is clearly and boldly written on the docketing, found on the additional side flap from the mailing of this letter. There is some typical, expected light tone and a .5" tear in the lower right corner in the signature. Henry Dearborn's bold 2" long signature (3.5" with adding his rank) is at the bottom right of this letter. It reads, in full:
"Sir - The Army (which I expect will be at this place within two or three days, at farthest) on its arrival will be in want of provision, forrage, & teams. - being informed that those matters are under your direction as an officer of this State, have no doubt but you will take the necessary measures for furnishing those supplies. - I think one hundred & fifty beef cattle will be necessary to drive on with the Army when it marches from hence, which expect will be within three or four days. The quantity of forrage Col. Yates has requested of you I imagine will be sufficient, short feed is of great importance to us. - thirty four horse teams at least will be wanted, & if they are not procured by you or Col. Yates, we shall be under the disagreeable necessity of making use of the authority of the Army for procuring them, which will perhaps distress many of those individuals which have contributed their full proportion to us and the support of the Army, whilst others that have done very little, go free; - not doubting but that you will make every action in your power to furnish the above mentioned articles. - - -
I am with great respect your Obedient, Humble Servant H. Dearborn Lt. Col. DQM
P.S. 20 waggon loads of straw will be absolutely necessary for the horses... HD"

Even being in this worn and reinforced condition which appears quite decent and should have some restoration, this letter is valuable and very historic. The interesting content of this 1781 Revolutionary War Letter signed by one of George Washington's most trusted officers, just after the Battle of YorkTown, that caused the greatest British surrender and won the Revolutionary War for America.

On October 19th 1781, the Battle of Yorktown surrender papers were signed by British General Cornwallis and Thomas Symonds (the most senior British naval officer present). They officially surrendered over 7,000 British troops who then became prisoners of the American forces.

Henry Dearborn had a long military career, fighting at Ticonderoga, Freeman's Farm and Saratoga. He joined George Washington's main army at Valley Forge as a Lieutenant Colonel, where he spent the winter of 1777–1778. Dearborn also commanded the ill fated American attempt to capture Canada during the War of 1812.

Col. Christopher P. Yates Quartermaster, of Schenectady, NY was promoted to Major in the Continental Army in 1781. He served under Col. Gerritt Lansing of Albany, NY and the unit fought at Yorktown under the command of Alexander Hamilton.

Early American will accept payment by check or credit card.

View Early American next auction.

Similar lots up for auction