Lot 189
1778 (Apr. 2) Camp Valley Forge Pa. to Weatherfield Ct., free franked folded letter bearing dateline from Major General Nathanael Greene, Washington's Second in Command, to an Army Agent in Connecticut, endorsed "N Greene" and "On Public Service"; fold separation and aging, small paper loss, Fine.
Estimate 20,000 - 30,000
ONE OF ONLY A FEW LETTERS FROM THE VALLEY FORGE ENCAMPMENT IN PRIVATE HANDS.
We estimate there are fewer than a dozen surviving letters from the Valley Forge encampment in private hands and probably none, other than the present cover from Nathaniel Greene, with important content. Here, General Greene is trying to procure quality "pormanteaus" (suitcases) for officers as they prepare to break up camp and travel to New York for the coming campaigns.
The ALS from Nathaniel Greene reads in part: "In order to lessen the Quantity of Baggage in this Army & enable it to move with the greater Ease, it is proposed to lay aside as much as possible, the use of Chests and Trunks. A large number of Portmanteaus and Valises is therefor become necessary for the Officers, and as I am informed some of these may be collected in Connecticut, I request the Favour of you to procure as many good leather Pormanteaus, of about middling Size, as can be got ready to send forward by or before the middle of May… If you can meet with any Canvas… suitable for Tents, Knapsacks &c. I should be glad you would purchase it for me… I take it for granted you have been informed of my appointment to the Office of Quarter-Master General of the Army of the United States, and it is in that Character I now apply to you."
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| Realized $75,000 |
