Details
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Letter signed ("G:Washington") as Commander-in-Chief, to Major General William Alexander, "Lord" Stirling, "Head Quarters," [Valley Forge], 28 December 1777. 1 page, folio, 320 x 200mm. (125 x 8 in.), browned, edges worn, a few tears at folds, dampstains along several fold lines.
DESPERATION AT VALLEY FORGE: WASHINGTON RECOMMENDS TERROR TACTICS AGAINST THOSE "FURNISHING THE ENEMY WITH PROVISIONS"
Five days after his famous letter to Congress deploring the perilous plight of the Continental Army from lack of clothing and provisions, and criticizing the Quartermaster General, Washington gives instructions for the use of harsh tactics against those furnishing provisions to the enemy: "I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it [not present]. Your Lordship will act according to circumstances. I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously [sic] furnishing the Enemy with Provisions. The Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror that may prevent this illicit Commerce for the future. Orders have been given, in consequence of your request, to the Commissary to supply your men with Whiskey if it is to be had..." Not in Fitzpatrick, and apparently unpublished.
"While the troops suffered at Valley Forge, the farmers of Pennsylvania were selling their produce to the British in Philadelphia, where they could get hard cash; N.Y. grain was going to...British troops in and around New York city..." (Boatner, p. 1137). Corporal punishment by flogging was the most common punishment for all sorts of infractions. 300 lashes with a cat o'nine tails was normal for a misdemeanor. Not a part of the Stirling archive.
Provenance: H. Bradley Martin (sale, Sotheby's New York, 31 January 1990, lot 2540).
DESPERATION AT VALLEY FORGE: WASHINGTON RECOMMENDS TERROR TACTICS AGAINST THOSE "FURNISHING THE ENEMY WITH PROVISIONS"
Five days after his famous letter to Congress deploring the perilous plight of the Continental Army from lack of clothing and provisions, and criticizing the Quartermaster General, Washington gives instructions for the use of harsh tactics against those furnishing provisions to the enemy: "I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it [not present]. Your Lordship will act according to circumstances. I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously [sic] furnishing the Enemy with Provisions. The Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror that may prevent this illicit Commerce for the future. Orders have been given, in consequence of your request, to the Commissary to supply your men with Whiskey if it is to be had..." Not in Fitzpatrick, and apparently unpublished.
"While the troops suffered at Valley Forge, the farmers of Pennsylvania were selling their produce to the British in Philadelphia, where they could get hard cash; N.Y. grain was going to...British troops in and around New York city..." (Boatner, p. 1137). Corporal punishment by flogging was the most common punishment for all sorts of infractions. 300 lashes with a cat o'nine tails was normal for a misdemeanor. Not a part of the Stirling archive.
Provenance: H. Bradley Martin (sale, Sotheby's New York, 31 January 1990, lot 2540).