Lot 184
1777 (Aug. 25) Camp near Wilmington Del. to Fredericksburg, Va. via Philadelphia, folded letter with "Camp in pensylvania 4 miles from Wilmington" dateline, carried by military courier to Philadelphia, entered Congressional Post with "PHILa AUG" straightline postmark and manuscript "3.8" rating to Fredericksburg, cover silked, Fine, the 3 dwt 8 gr (10 pence) rate for 200-300 miles from Philadelphia to Fredericksburg.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
Letter from Colonel Alexander Spotswood, grandson of former Deputy Postmaster General which states, "Howe yesterday began to land abt 3 miles below the head of Elk (Maryland); which is 22 miles from our present camp, in abt 12 days a blow will be struck…hr cannot have more than 8000 men, we have to oppose him 10000 regulars…our army is healthy, in fine spirits, and anxious to engage…"
The letter was written just two weeks prior to the Battle of Brandywine. Despite the apparent confidence of Colonel Spotswood in the spirits of his troops, the Americans were defeated, 800 men wounded and 400 taken prisoner.
|
| |
| Unsold |
