LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30174

American Revolution- The Account Book & Pay Roll

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:700.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
American Revolution- The Account Book & Pay Roll
<B>American Revolution - The Account Book and Pay Rolls of the second oldest U.S. Army post in the United States.</B></I> Manuscript account book, 92 leaves 9" x 13.5", Carlisle, Pennsylvania, May, 1778 to July, 1779 kept by Major Charles Lukens, Commissary of Military Stores for the supply barracks established by the Continental Congress at Carlisle in 1776. Now home to Carlisle Barracks and the Army War College, it is the second oldest U.S. Army post in the country after West Point. Originally established in 1757 by the British as a staging point to mount expeditions against the Ohio Valley, the post was abandoned in the mid 1760s following the end of Pontiac's rebellion. During the American Revolution the fort again became a valuable strategic site, this time against the British. Patriotically named "<I>Washingtonburgh</B></I>" from 1776 to the end of the war, the post served as one of the main centers for arms ordnance supply, manufacture and repair together with the armory at Springfield, Massachusetts. The post also served as an artillery school under the direction of Captain Isaac Coren. The account book, covering a single year in the post's existence, provides superb detail on the operations of this critical post. A portion of the book consists of signed receipts for a wide variety of activities including the production of charcoal, the purchase of all manner of articles from compasses to bee's wax, candles, and even stoves. Other payments include wood cut on neighboring properties, payments for brick and shingles, as well as pay for services rendered by both civilians and soldiers. One entry notes the receipt of "<I>14 Saw logs for the Use of the Publick sic Works & Gun Carriages...</B></I>" Most of the payments were made by Major Charles Lukens, Commissary of Military Stores. The book also includes numerous payrolls for the "<I>Company of Artillery & Artificers employed at Washingtonburgh Near Carlisle under command of Col. Benjamin Flowers Commissary Genl.</B></I>" Interestingly, there are numerous entries for "<I>coaling</B></I>" which would suggest that there was an iron furnace active at or near the site which would have made the production of artillery possible on-site. More research is necessary to ascertain this for certain however. At the very least the charcoal would have been necessary for smiths engaged in repair work and in the manufacture of cartridges. (See George Washington to Henry Knox, January 8, 1778 in The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799 for more information.) A superb research tool documenting an early and historic U.S. military installation providing critical supplies essential to the success of the American Revolution. Paper cover split at spine with much post-war doodling, pages overall quite clean with ragged margins, overall very good. <I>Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot