細節
HOWE, ROBERT, Major General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("R. Howe") as Commander, Southern Department, to Lt. Col. Grimkie, Charles Town [South Carolina]. 15 February 1779. 4 pages, 4to, a few small holes from acidic ink affecting several words, discreetly silked.
"I HAVE LONG BEEN ANXIOUS FOR MY COUNTRY": A FINE WAR LETTER
A letter of great affection and warmth from General Howe (1732-1796) to a younger subordinate, Lt. Col. John F. Grimkie (1752 - 1819). Deputy Adjutant General for South Carolina & Georgia: "I have just a moment dear Grimkie to acknowledge the receipt of your agreeable letter and to assure you that I shall be more explicit in future, and never fail by all opportunities to write you every occurence worth noting...you may depend upon it. I shall never forgive you if I do not more frequently hear from you. Direct for me to the care of the President of Congress [John Jay] and be sure to have a letter sent me at Philadelphia....upon my arrival a detail of Matters Either agreeable or Consequential, Vexatious or otherwise shall be given you, being certain that your good wishes and sympathy will attend me wherever I am or in whatever situation. I can but consider you as a [p]art of my family....I persuade myself that our friendship can reach no end but with our lives....May Laurels and Felicity attend you wherever you go. I have long been anxious for my country, and this anxiety is enhanced by a curious Blight on their unexpected deadness upon this interesting Occasion, & important Crisis, from where it can derive, on whom shall we fix the Blame? We can however look forward [to] the unwearied and unceasing Efforts of the present Patriot [probably a reference to John Rutledge, Governor of South Carolina] so deservedly placed at the Head of our Affairs begin to have an Effect from which Everything is to be Hoped. May him [sic] and his measures prosper, and our Country redeem its credit and resume its prosperity....Please direct me where I can get your orderly Book....direct Col. Drayton who will Transcribe these and forward them....My compliments to the Officers of my acquaintance...."
"I HAVE LONG BEEN ANXIOUS FOR MY COUNTRY": A FINE WAR LETTER
A letter of great affection and warmth from General Howe (1732-1796) to a younger subordinate, Lt. Col. John F. Grimkie (1752 - 1819). Deputy Adjutant General for South Carolina & Georgia: "I have just a moment dear Grimkie to acknowledge the receipt of your agreeable letter and to assure you that I shall be more explicit in future, and never fail by all opportunities to write you every occurence worth noting...you may depend upon it. I shall never forgive you if I do not more frequently hear from you. Direct for me to the care of the President of Congress [John Jay] and be sure to have a letter sent me at Philadelphia....upon my arrival a detail of Matters Either agreeable or Consequential, Vexatious or otherwise shall be given you, being certain that your good wishes and sympathy will attend me wherever I am or in whatever situation. I can but consider you as a [p]art of my family....I persuade myself that our friendship can reach no end but with our lives....May Laurels and Felicity attend you wherever you go. I have long been anxious for my country, and this anxiety is enhanced by a curious Blight on their unexpected deadness upon this interesting Occasion, & important Crisis, from where it can derive, on whom shall we fix the Blame? We can however look forward [to] the unwearied and unceasing Efforts of the present Patriot [probably a reference to John Rutledge, Governor of South Carolina] so deservedly placed at the Head of our Affairs begin to have an Effect from which Everything is to be Hoped. May him [sic] and his measures prosper, and our Country redeem its credit and resume its prosperity....Please direct me where I can get your orderly Book....direct Col. Drayton who will Transcribe these and forward them....My compliments to the Officers of my acquaintance...."