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December 25, 1776, Revolutionary War Connecticut Army Enlistment Document

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
December 25, 1776, Revolutionary War Connecticut Army Enlistment Document
American Revolution
Connecticut Soldier Enlistment into the Continental Army
December 25, 1776-Dated, Partially-Printed, American Revolutionary War, Six Month Enlistment Document, for a Connecticut Regiment in the Continental Army, Very Fine.
This is a historic, fully original Enlistment Document from the “Colony” of Connecticut and was intended to be signed just a week prior to the Crossing of the Delaware River by George Washington to capture Trenton! The fully margined document is printed on fine quality laid period paper, measures about 3” x 6.75” and has dark black printed text. There are some ink smudges at the top signature, likely making this example unused. Some age toning does not detract much from the presentation of this item. It reads, in full:

“I -(blank fill in for name) - of (blank fill in for town) - do acknowledge to have voluntarily inlisted myself a Soldier, to serve in the Battalion of Foot raised by the Colony of Connecticut, to join the, Continental Army in New-York, to be commanded by (blank fill in for the commanding officer) Esq; until the Twenty-fifth day of December next. Witness my Hand this (blank fill in for date) Day of (blank fill in for month) A.D. 1776 - (blank fill in for official signature)”.

These forms were for soldiers who were with George Washington when he crossed the Delaware River to attack the Hessian garrison at Trenton, NJ on Christmas Eve night, December 24, 1776. After this successful attack, which saved the American Continental Army from disintegration, George Washington pleaded with his troops to reenlist on their final official day. That day being the exact date on the enlistment form offered here, of December 25, 1776.

This is truly a remarkable official Revolutionary War enlistment form. It appears that this extremely historic document, unfortunately, the name at the very top became heavily ink smudged and it appears that this form was then not completed and used. A fantastic, original piece of Connecticut and Revolutionary War history!
We sold one other identical form. That form was fully completed and signed for John Chester’s battalion in our EAHA Auction of October 21, 2006, Lot 145, graded Choice Very Fine, which sold for $3,540. This current form is identical to that form, but for the fill in areas remain blank.