Details
MONTGOMERY, Richard. Autograph letter signed ("Richd: Montgomery"), to an unknown correspondent [General Philip J. Schuyler?], Albany, 10 August 1775. 1 page, 4to, ink of first three lines and signature more strongly inked than the body of the letter, some lines pale due to thin ink used by writer, otherwise fine.
TROOPS TO OCCUPY FORT TICONDEROGA, RECENTLY CAPTURED BY ARNOLD AND ALLEN
Montgomery, born in Ireland, served under Jeffrey Amherst in the campaigns against Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Montreal in the Seven Years' War, but resigned his commission and emigrated to America in 1772. Establishing a farm on the banks of the Hudson, he married a daughter of Robert R. Livingston and was drawn--rather reluctantly--into the Continental Army, accepting a commission as Brigadier General only three weeks before this letter. Here, very likely writing to the Commander of the Northern Department, Schuyler, Montgomery reports on troops being sent to reinforce Fort Ticonderoga, captured by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen in a bold night attack on 10 May 1775. "The first division of the [New?] York troops all arrived but without powder, by accident, that it is in my power to furnish them. I beg that powder may be sent...for the troops destined for this post, as it is very improper they should march to Ticonderoga without it. I have been obliged to supply this division from such reserve I had...out of that which lately arrived from Philadelphia..."
In the end, Montgomery did not go to Ticonderoga, but instead took command of Schuyler's troops to lead the Canadian invasion.
TROOPS TO OCCUPY FORT TICONDEROGA, RECENTLY CAPTURED BY ARNOLD AND ALLEN
Montgomery, born in Ireland, served under Jeffrey Amherst in the campaigns against Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Montreal in the Seven Years' War, but resigned his commission and emigrated to America in 1772. Establishing a farm on the banks of the Hudson, he married a daughter of Robert R. Livingston and was drawn--rather reluctantly--into the Continental Army, accepting a commission as Brigadier General only three weeks before this letter. Here, very likely writing to the Commander of the Northern Department, Schuyler, Montgomery reports on troops being sent to reinforce Fort Ticonderoga, captured by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen in a bold night attack on 10 May 1775. "The first division of the [New?] York troops all arrived but without powder, by accident, that it is in my power to furnish them. I beg that powder may be sent...for the troops destined for this post, as it is very improper they should march to Ticonderoga without it. I have been obliged to supply this division from such reserve I had...out of that which lately arrived from Philadelphia..."
In the end, Montgomery did not go to Ticonderoga, but instead took command of Schuyler's troops to lead the Canadian invasion.
Special notice
Tax exempt.
Sale room notice
The item in this lot is a letter signed.