![WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed ("Go: Washington") to Colonel Christopher Greene, "Head Qrs." [Preakness], 27 November 1780.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0103_001(washington_george_letter_signed_to_colonel_christopher_greene_head_qrs045003).jpg?w=1)
![WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed ("Go: Washington") to Colonel Christopher Greene, "Head Qrs." [Preakness], 27 November 1780.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14998_0103_000(washington_george_letter_signed_to_colonel_christopher_greene_head_qrs095933).jpg?w=1)
细节
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed ("Go: Washington") to Colonel Christopher Greene, "Head Qrs." [Preakness], 27 November 1780.
One page, 335 x 205mm, with formerly integral transmittal leaf bearing his franking signature ("Go: Washington"), both body of letter and address panel in the hand of Alexander Hamilton (marginal losses and tears, both letter and transmittal leaf backed with early 19th century paper).
George Washington orders a regiment of emancipated slaves to march from Newport, Rhode Island to West Point under orders of Rochambeau. A historic and rare letter from Washington conveying orders Christopher Greene's regiment in regard to an anticipated move to the Hudson Highlands: "It is probable you will receive The count De Rochembeau's orders to march with your regiment to West Point. Should this be the case you will only come on with such officers as are to remain in service on the new arrangement and such men as engaged for the war, or at least for a term, that will last through the next campaign. the other men you may dismiss, unless the Count de Rochambeau should find any imployment for the where they now are. In this you will perceive it is presumed you have already agreed upon the arrangement." Although African-Americans, both enslaved and free, served with the Continental Army and Navy in most states, quite often in integrated regiments (if not companies), Rhode Island was perhaps the most aggressive in her recruitment efforts, resolving in 1778 to raise a regiment of slaves to be freed upon enlistment. The state recruited four companies of African Americans that became part of the First Rhode Island Regiment. Commanded by Christopher Greene, a distant cousin of General Nathanael Greene, the First Rhode Island served at the Battle of Newport and were stationed in the town at the time of the arrival of Rochambeau's expeditionary force. The Marquis de Chastellux described them as "strong robust men." (Rice, Chastellux, Travels in North America v. 1, p. 454). The French Chief of Staff made this observation near Hartford, Connecticut in early January 1781, where he had encountered a detachment of the First Rhode Island, strongly suggesting that Rochambeau did follow Washington’s suggestion order the regiment to march westward toward West Point. In the spring of 1781, the First Rhode Island was assigned to guard the lines above New York at Croton River. On 14 May, a troop of DeLancey's Tories attacked the regiment, wounding 100 and killing fourteen. 30 were taken prisoner, most of whom were sold into slavery in the West Indies. Greene was among the dead, his body badly mutilated by the Loyalists, commonly believed to be retribution for leading black soldiers against the crown. Two months later, the First Rhode Island, now under the command of Jeremiah Olney, marched south with the main army to Yorktown. (See Hartgrove "The Negro Soldier in the American Revolution," Journal of Negro History, Apr. 1916, 110-131; Greene, "Some Observations on the Black Regiment of Rhode Island in the American Revolution." Journal of Negro History, Apr. 1952, pp. 142-172.). Published in Fitzpatrick, Writings.vol. 20, pp. 410-411.
One page, 335 x 205mm, with formerly integral transmittal leaf bearing his franking signature ("Go: Washington"), both body of letter and address panel in the hand of Alexander Hamilton (marginal losses and tears, both letter and transmittal leaf backed with early 19th century paper).
George Washington orders a regiment of emancipated slaves to march from Newport, Rhode Island to West Point under orders of Rochambeau. A historic and rare letter from Washington conveying orders Christopher Greene's regiment in regard to an anticipated move to the Hudson Highlands: "It is probable you will receive The count De Rochembeau's orders to march with your regiment to West Point. Should this be the case you will only come on with such officers as are to remain in service on the new arrangement and such men as engaged for the war, or at least for a term, that will last through the next campaign. the other men you may dismiss, unless the Count de Rochambeau should find any imployment for the where they now are. In this you will perceive it is presumed you have already agreed upon the arrangement." Although African-Americans, both enslaved and free, served with the Continental Army and Navy in most states, quite often in integrated regiments (if not companies), Rhode Island was perhaps the most aggressive in her recruitment efforts, resolving in 1778 to raise a regiment of slaves to be freed upon enlistment. The state recruited four companies of African Americans that became part of the First Rhode Island Regiment. Commanded by Christopher Greene, a distant cousin of General Nathanael Greene, the First Rhode Island served at the Battle of Newport and were stationed in the town at the time of the arrival of Rochambeau's expeditionary force. The Marquis de Chastellux described them as "strong robust men." (Rice, Chastellux, Travels in North America v. 1, p. 454). The French Chief of Staff made this observation near Hartford, Connecticut in early January 1781, where he had encountered a detachment of the First Rhode Island, strongly suggesting that Rochambeau did follow Washington’s suggestion order the regiment to march westward toward West Point. In the spring of 1781, the First Rhode Island was assigned to guard the lines above New York at Croton River. On 14 May, a troop of DeLancey's Tories attacked the regiment, wounding 100 and killing fourteen. 30 were taken prisoner, most of whom were sold into slavery in the West Indies. Greene was among the dead, his body badly mutilated by the Loyalists, commonly believed to be retribution for leading black soldiers against the crown. Two months later, the First Rhode Island, now under the command of Jeremiah Olney, marched south with the main army to Yorktown. (See Hartgrove "The Negro Soldier in the American Revolution," Journal of Negro History, Apr. 1916, 110-131; Greene, "Some Observations on the Black Regiment of Rhode Island in the American Revolution." Journal of Negro History, Apr. 1952, pp. 142-172.). Published in Fitzpatrick, Writings.vol. 20, pp. 410-411.