Details
KALB, JOHANN ("Baron De Kalb"), Major General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("Baron de Kalb") to Major General Richard Caswell of North Carolina, "Camp Deep River," 9 July 1780, "at 1 Clock p.m.." 1 1/2 pages, folio, integral address leaf in Kalb's hand and with his "Public Service" frank, browned, several small holes, one catching the "a" in "Baron."
PREPARATIONS FOR THE DISASTROUS CAMDEN CAMPAIGN, IN WHICH KALB WAS KILLED
A very fine military letter from the German-born Continental General, to Richard Caswell, who commanded a body of some 2,100 North Carolina militiamen. The letter reflects Kalb's concerns about the strong British forces known to be in the area and his problems in obtaining forage and provisions for his troops. The maneouvers anticipated here ultimately culminated in the disastrous Battle at Camden, on 16 August, in which Kalb was mortally wounded. "I am favored with the honor of your letter...I should be glad to be able to move and join you either on the Road to or at Cole's Bridge but I am apprehensive I can do neither for want of Provision. With much labour we have not been able yet to procure for two days together and no better prospect; my [foraging] parties left near Lindley's Mill had very little success....Those I sent...towards Dixon's and Coxes Settlements, though commanded by the most proper Officer, have met with all the Difficulties and Ill will from the inhabitants so that there is nothing to be got there with their consent.....I do not think it would be prudent to venture to P.D. [the Great Pee Dee River, in South Carolina, where Caswell's troops were] not even to Cole's Bridge with our whole Bodies of troops, for we durst not expose parties of Collecting Provisions, when the Enemies are so near, so Superior in Cavalry & for what I know in Infantry; if you would chuse not to go as far as Cole's Bridge but halt where you are now, and let me have your opinion on the Subject. We might with propriety reassume our plan for Coxe's and there to consider what further Direction may be most Eligible. I am told that Coxe's is a very Publick Road....I intend to send back part of the Pack of Artillery. The Field and Genl. Officers of this Camp are to meet me at my Quarters tomorrow morning to devise a means of lessening our Baggage....."
De Kalb's trepidations about advancing on British were well-founded. On 25 July, though, he was succeeded in command by General Horatio Gates, who proceeded to put the entire American force at risk by marching directly southwards (through a region filled with Tory informants). His and Kalb's Continentals rendezvoused with Carswell's militiamen and a small band of irregulars commanded by Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox"). At Camden, they mounted a direct frontal attack on a British force commanded by Lord Cornwallis. The attack became "the most disatrous defeat ever inflicted upon an American army" (Boatner, 169). Some inexperienced units fled at the first volley, but Kalb, who "had been unhorsed and was bleeding from several wounds, including a sabre cut on his head," fought on: "the old Bavarian refused to quit or to retreat....After leading a counterattack, which acheived a momentary success, the 58-year-old warrior fell mortally wounded" (Boatner 167-168). He died several days later. See Joseph E. Fields, "American Revolution Generals," in The Autograph Collector's Checklist, ed. John M. Taylor, p.15 ("Extremely rare").
PREPARATIONS FOR THE DISASTROUS CAMDEN CAMPAIGN, IN WHICH KALB WAS KILLED
A very fine military letter from the German-born Continental General, to Richard Caswell, who commanded a body of some 2,100 North Carolina militiamen. The letter reflects Kalb's concerns about the strong British forces known to be in the area and his problems in obtaining forage and provisions for his troops. The maneouvers anticipated here ultimately culminated in the disastrous Battle at Camden, on 16 August, in which Kalb was mortally wounded. "I am favored with the honor of your letter...I should be glad to be able to move and join you either on the Road to or at Cole's Bridge but I am apprehensive I can do neither for want of Provision. With much labour we have not been able yet to procure for two days together and no better prospect; my [foraging] parties left near Lindley's Mill had very little success....Those I sent...towards Dixon's and Coxes Settlements, though commanded by the most proper Officer, have met with all the Difficulties and Ill will from the inhabitants so that there is nothing to be got there with their consent.....I do not think it would be prudent to venture to P.D. [the Great Pee Dee River, in South Carolina, where Caswell's troops were] not even to Cole's Bridge with our whole Bodies of troops, for we durst not expose parties of Collecting Provisions, when the Enemies are so near, so Superior in Cavalry & for what I know in Infantry; if you would chuse not to go as far as Cole's Bridge but halt where you are now, and let me have your opinion on the Subject. We might with propriety reassume our plan for Coxe's and there to consider what further Direction may be most Eligible. I am told that Coxe's is a very Publick Road....I intend to send back part of the Pack of Artillery. The Field and Genl. Officers of this Camp are to meet me at my Quarters tomorrow morning to devise a means of lessening our Baggage....."
De Kalb's trepidations about advancing on British were well-founded. On 25 July, though, he was succeeded in command by General Horatio Gates, who proceeded to put the entire American force at risk by marching directly southwards (through a region filled with Tory informants). His and Kalb's Continentals rendezvoused with Carswell's militiamen and a small band of irregulars commanded by Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox"). At Camden, they mounted a direct frontal attack on a British force commanded by Lord Cornwallis. The attack became "the most disatrous defeat ever inflicted upon an American army" (Boatner, 169). Some inexperienced units fled at the first volley, but Kalb, who "had been unhorsed and was bleeding from several wounds, including a sabre cut on his head," fought on: "the old Bavarian refused to quit or to retreat....After leading a counterattack, which acheived a momentary success, the 58-year-old warrior fell mortally wounded" (Boatner 167-168). He died several days later. See Joseph E. Fields, "American Revolution Generals," in The Autograph Collector's Checklist, ed. John M. Taylor, p.15 ("Extremely rare").