Details
[FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR]. DELANCEY, James (1703-1760), Governor of New York. Autograph letter signed ("James DeLancey") TO GOVERNOR STEPHEN HOPKINS (1707-1785) of Rhode Island, New York, 28 July 1755. 1 page, small 4to, integral blank, fine.
ALARM AMONG THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS IN THE AFTERMATH OF BRADDOCK'S UNEXPECTED DEFEAT
A highly important letter between colonial Governors. DeLancey passes on critical news of the defeat and death of British General Edward Braddock (1695-1755) in the Allegheny forests. "I enclose you the Copy of a letter I had from Capt. Robert Orine [not present] first aid de Camp to the late General Braddock, which gives an undoubted account of the late defeat. I have also received from him the list of Officers killed & wounded & the return of the men, by which it appears, that besides the General who died of his wounds, there were 25 officers killed, 37 wounded & 22 unhurt & that according to the most exact return...there were about 600 men killed & wounded." DeLancey, one of the governors who had actively supported Braddock's expedition, expresses fear for the repercussions of his disastrous defeat: "This disaster will make the French insolent, embolden the Indians & dishearten ours. I have called the Assembly to meet next, when I shall propose to them to raise more men to reinforce or sustain the Provincial troops. We must exert ourselves & do something to counterballance [sic] our late loss."
Braddock had arrived from England in February to take charge of the defense of the colonies from the French; he "wielded greater military power than any man had ever enjoyed in America, and his meeting in April with five colonial governors [including Delancey] marked the nearest approach to colonial unity...for more than fifty years" (DAB). With a young Virginian as volunteer aide-de-camp, Braddock led a combined force of regulars and provincials across the Alleghenies against Frech Fort Duquesne. On 9 July his columns were unexpectedly attacked by French, Canadians and Indians concealed in the thick underbrush. Nearly half of Braddock's force was killed or wounded and the commander, severely wounded, died of his wounds four days later, murmuring "We shall better know how to deal with them the next time."
News of the defeat spread fear and consternation among the colonies.
ALARM AMONG THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS IN THE AFTERMATH OF BRADDOCK'S UNEXPECTED DEFEAT
A highly important letter between colonial Governors. DeLancey passes on critical news of the defeat and death of British General Edward Braddock (1695-1755) in the Allegheny forests. "I enclose you the Copy of a letter I had from Capt. Robert Orine [not present] first aid de Camp to the late General Braddock, which gives an undoubted account of the late defeat. I have also received from him the list of Officers killed & wounded & the return of the men, by which it appears, that besides the General who died of his wounds, there were 25 officers killed, 37 wounded & 22 unhurt & that according to the most exact return...there were about 600 men killed & wounded." DeLancey, one of the governors who had actively supported Braddock's expedition, expresses fear for the repercussions of his disastrous defeat: "This disaster will make the French insolent, embolden the Indians & dishearten ours. I have called the Assembly to meet next, when I shall propose to them to raise more men to reinforce or sustain the Provincial troops. We must exert ourselves & do something to counterballance [sic] our late loss."
Braddock had arrived from England in February to take charge of the defense of the colonies from the French; he "wielded greater military power than any man had ever enjoyed in America, and his meeting in April with five colonial governors [including Delancey] marked the nearest approach to colonial unity...for more than fifty years" (DAB). With a young Virginian as volunteer aide-de-camp, Braddock led a combined force of regulars and provincials across the Alleghenies against Frech Fort Duquesne. On 9 July his columns were unexpectedly attacked by French, Canadians and Indians concealed in the thick underbrush. Nearly half of Braddock's force was killed or wounded and the commander, severely wounded, died of his wounds four days later, murmuring "We shall better know how to deal with them the next time."
News of the defeat spread fear and consternation among the colonies.