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1781 Rev. War Major General BENJAMIN LINCOLN Autograph Letter Signed, West Point

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:2,800.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
1781 Rev. War Major General BENJAMIN LINCOLN Autograph Letter Signed, West Point
Autographs
Major General Benjamin Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed Invokes the Commander in Chief, His Excellency Genl. Washington’s Military Orders for Militia to West Point
BENJAMIN LINCOLN (1733-1810). American Revolutionary War Major General Commanding an Continental Army in the South, he was captured at Charleston (SC) and later exchanged, accepted the British Surrender at Yorktown, and served as Secretary of War (1781-1783).
August 14, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Field Written Autograph Letter Signed, “B. Lincoln” as Major General, measuring 6.25” x 7.75”, 1 page, at “Camp”, Very Fine. Written to the historic Massachusetts Colonel William Shepard at Springfield, MA. (As a State Militia Leader in 1786, William Shepard protected the Springfield Armory during Shays' Rebellion, firing cannon into the force of Daniel Shays and compelling them to disperse.) These current Orders arranging for additional Massachusetts Militia to report to West Point, “or to such other Place as the Commander in Chief directs...” Light soiling at folds, deft sealed splits and an old larger paper tape repair on back to reinforce a torn upper section (which looks like it would be removable). This historic Letter provides Military Orders, invokes the Commander in Chief His Excellency Genl. Washington, and reads, in full;

“By the Law of our State, which ordered a Number of Militia to be raised for three Months, they are ordered to West Point or to such other Place as the Commander in Chief should direct. --- I have it in Command from His Excellency Genl. Washington to inform you that the Militia from the County of York should join the Militia from the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire at Albany or wherever they may be Stationed, & that when they arrive at Springfield, you give your Orders accordingly. -- I am Dear Sir, - Your Most Obd’t Servant -- (Signed) B. Lincoln”.
William Shepard (1737 - 1817) was a United States Representative from Massachusetts (1797–1802), and a Military Officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. As a State Militia Leader he protected the Springfield Armory during Shays' Rebellion, firing cannon into the force of Daniel Shays and compelling them to disperse. He was also served in town and state government and was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council.

Born in Westfield, he attended the common schools, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and served in the French and Indian wars for six years. He was a member of the committee of correspondence for Westfield in 1774, and was a lieutenant colonel of Minutemen in April 1775 and served under Colonel Timothy Danielson.

He entered the Continental Army in May 1775 as lieutenant colonel and was commissioned Colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment on October 6, 1776, serving throughout the Revolutionary War, including winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where he commanded the 4th Division of the Massachusetts militia, under the overall command of General John Glover.

His name is immortalized along with his comrades on stone monuments there. Many letters still exist between Shepard and other commanders, including General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, General Henry Knox, Benjamin Lincoln and other illustrious founding fathers.