Lot 1037
George Washington (1732-1799), Commander-in-Chief of America's Continental Army (1775-1783). First President of the U.S. (1789-1797).Revolutionary War Dated Letter Signed as Commander-in-Chief, one page, 8¼ x 13, Morristown, May 19, 1777. Letter to Col. Edward Antill assigning Major Christian de Colerus to his command, in full:
"Sir,
This will be delivered you by Monsieur Colerus, who is to fill a Majority in Colonel Hazen's Regiment, under your immediate command. This gentleman's conduct, I think, will promote the service and do honor to himself. Monsieur Colerus' rank is to be governed by the date of his commission, and the rules for adjusting Rank in the American Army.
I am Sir
Your Most Obed Sevt
G.Washington"
Very Fine condition, minor reinforcement of tears at edge folds and at extreme corners where rounded.
Estimate 15,000 - 20,000
A FINE WASHINGTON LETTER AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WITH AN EARLY REFERENCE TO THE AMERICAN ARMY.
Written in the hand of Washingtons's secretary/aide, Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, from Washington's winter camp (January 6, 1777-May 26, 1777), this letter concerns the 2nd Canadian Regiment, also known as Congress' Own Regiment, under the command of Colonel Moses Hazen. Born in Massachusetts, Hazen served in the British Army at Fortress Louisburg and Quebec during the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War) and gained a commission as lieutenant. He retired in 1763 from wounds received in action and settled in Canada. In 1775, he was arrested as a spy by both the Americans and then the British, who accused him of being a double agent. He eventually joined the American Army while it was in Canada during General Montgomery's ill-fated invasion in late 1775, and was authorized in January, 1776 to form a Canadian regiment. Just prior to this, a Canadian regiment had been organized under the command of Colonel James Livingston, which was also known as the Canadian Regiment. Hazen's Regiment, which also recruited men from other states, left Canada in June, 1776, and was sent to Fort Ticonderoga in July. By May 19, 1777, it was in Princeton, New Jersey, having been assigned to the Main Army. Colonel Hazen's Regiment took part in the battles of Staten Island, Brandywine, and Germantown, as part of General Sullivan's Division. In 1781, he was made Brigadier General. At the Battle of Yorktown, he commanded a brigade under LaFayette.
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| Realized $20,000 |
