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WILLIAM A. ATLEE, 1781, Autograph Letter Signed

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Autographs

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Dispute Between The Light Horse & The Militia Guards

WILLIAM A. ATLEE, Deputy Commissary General, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
May 25, 1781, Autograph Letter Signed, to Joseph Reed as President of Pennsylvania and addressed in an integral enveope, Very Fine. This document measures 13" x 8" and is 4 pages, grading Very Fine. It is very clean, well written and easy to read, this letter having been folded for mailing and addressed to Joseph Reed. It also bears normal docketing on the reverse, plus an embossed seal. It reads, in part:
"...We have had some dispute between the Light Horse...& the Militia Guards, one of the Dragoons in attempting to force his way into the Guard House at the Barrack the other day [was] killed by the sentry on duty there, & as they seem to speak of revenge the Inhabitants seem apprehensive of some further mischief... the Militia will be watchful, but should a party of these people attack the guard in the night (which was apprehended & believed to have been their intention a few nights since) the Prisoners would probably take that opportunity to force their way from the Barracks & the consequences would be sad...induced me to order the Blockhouses... to be put in order, so that the whole of the Militia ordered for Guards... may live in there... [and] then be ready at their posts in case of any alarm..."
There are some minor archival tape repairs in fold between the two leaves. Very interesting content revealing the practical considerations in managing internal conflicts within the Pennsylvania militia. This historic Revolutionary War letter comes with a complete typed transcript.



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