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

30549

French & Indian War: 1757 Fort Edward Gen Orders

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
French & Indian War: 1757 Fort Edward Gen Orders
<B>French and Indian War: 1757 Fort Edward General Orders.</B></I> Three documents, five pages, Fort Edward, New York, 1757, ink. An impressive group of three documents, two in the hand of Quartermaster Nathaniel Ripley serving under General Lyman at Fort Edward. The first document is a set of general orders for the garrison, issued by General Lyman, commander of Connecticut troops stationed at Fort Edward, and the second records the dispatch of ranger companies into the surrounding forests and neighboring outposts. The third document is most curious, being a partial document on parchment that has been transformed into a small wallet, presumably by Ripley. The interior of the wallet bears the partial text of a commission granted to Colonel Richard Gridley (1710/11-1796). Though the commission document does not note the rank to which he was appointed, it is most likely his 1757 commission as colonel and commander of artillery and chief engineer under the command John Winslow. Gridley supervised the construction of Fort William Henry and would go on to serve in the Continental Army as an engineer, supervising the fortifications on Breed's Hill in June 1775, and later at Dorchester Heights in March 1776.<BR><BR>The first document was written by Ripley a week before the Montcalm and his army of French and Indians laid siege to Fort William Henry, only fifteen miles to the northward. In an autograph document measuring 7.5" x 12" from Fort Edward July 23, 1757, General Lyman orders preparations be made in case the French and Indians attack the fort: "<I>...Orders the artillery to Send immediately to the fort a field Pi e ce which is to be mounted in the north East Bastean sic where the flag staf f is placed an in Case it Should be found ne c ssary to Turn out the Loins a Cannon will be immediately fired from that Bastean and the flag h o isted upon which Every one is to turn out at the Head of their intrenchments and to Divide themselves a Long their intrenchments as far as their tents Extend at the same time their officers to be posted at the Head of their Several Companys sic and there Remain till they Receive further orders and n e ither officer nor Soldier is to Stir from his post unless he Receives the General ' s Particular orders Except one officer from Each Corps who the Commanding officer is to Send to attend the General...</B></I>" The general further ordered that "<I>in case of any firing in the woods the Picquit sic is immediately to advance and Support the Party attacked. The Rangers are Likewise to turn out at the same time with the officers at the head of their Companys and are to march with the first advance Picquit and as the Rangers will Extend them Selves upon the flancks sic of the Picquit ye Parties that may be ordered out after words sic to adjoin sic them are to take Particular Care not to fire upon them...</B></I>" These orders were most likely placed into effect that day as a party of French and Indians ambushed a party of woodcutters and their guard in the vicinity of Fort Edward. Several were killed and scalped including a sergeant, corporal and ten others. General Lyman then lays out the basics of guard duties and other aspects concerning the organization of the garrison in this most critical time: "<I>The Picquit of the next Day to Parade Every Evening with the mounting Picquit that theay sic may be in Readiness to march to Sustain the other Picquit or to Go upon any other servis sic that may be Required and upon an a Larem sic theay are immediately to turn out and march to the Grand Parade and their sic wait for further orders upon firing the a Laram sic Gun as soon as the troops have taken their Posts ye 35th Rigt is to send a Company the 60 Regt, 3 Companys, the in Dependants sends one Company into the fort the Provincial Troops are Like wise for this servis one Capt. six Subalterns 8 Sarjants sic 8 corporals 1250 privat e men the particular proportion from Each Corps will be Demanded by major Briguade sic and to furnished im m ediately when the above Detachment Joyns sic the Company of the Regulars march into the fort the whole is to be under the Command of the Eldest officers who will Dispose of them a Long ye parapets ye artil l ery at ye Same time to Send in an officer with a proper number of men to manage ye Gunswithin ? in ye fort ye ebrasears ? within ye Lines to be immediately got Ready and a plat form to Receive ye iron 4 pounders upon a Larm Guns being fired the artil l ery are to send 2 brass 12 ounders to the Grand Barrack and 2 to ye head of the Royal Americans and one Brass Six pounder to Each of the openings of ye lines.</B></I>" Most importantly, strict discipline was to be maintained: "<I>These orders to be Read and explain e d to the men by an officer of a Company this Evening at Gun firing and ye Generall sic Expects that they will be complied sic with and no person whatsoever is to presume to make a fals e a Laram or to order ye Lines to turn out but upon the proper signal above mentioned and in case of any Shot being fired no officer or Soldier is to Stir out of ye Lines unless he is part of a Detachment ordered out under penalty if a Commisinor sic officer of being put under an arrest and if a non-Commisionor officer or Soldier of being Severely punished and after ye alarum is fired no Soldier is to offer to quit his Corp s upon any pretence what soever under pain of Death when Ever the Lines is ord e red to turn out by the Signall sic of alarum sic the men are to be Drawn up along ye intrenchment but no Suffer e d to mount ye Banket ? till orderd by the Commanding officer of the Corp they belong to . </B></I>"<BR><BR>The second document, also in the hand of Ripley, an autograph document signed three times "<I>Nathl. Ripley Q uarter Master of Connecticut Troops</B></I>", two pages, 5.5" x 7.5", Fort Edward, May 29 to August 6, 1757, details some of the movements of the ranger companies that patrolled the surrounding woods, critical in protecting the fort from surprise attack. On May 29, Ripley records the names of the men "<I>in Listed with Capt. Putman sic as Ran gers ...</B></I>" listing the names of 22 officers and men. Putnam had become an able ranger commander, learning his craft under Robert Rodgers. Ripley also notes the enlistment of three others in another ranger company on July 4 and the dispatch of five men on July 22 "<I>to Saratogue sic and Still Waters sic </B></I>" noting that all but one returned on August 6. On the verso Ripley has noted the receipt of weapons from three muskets of varying qualities from "<I>Capt. Ben Adams Gallop</B></I>" between July 11 to July 30, 1757. The French began their siege of Fort William Henry on August 3 and the garrison was forced to surrender on August 6. Montcalm granted the English garrison generous terms, allowing them to retreat with their weapons to Fort Edward. Montcalm's Native American allies were disappointed in the terms, as it did not allow them to acquire either prisoners or trophies. As the defeated garrison and their dependents walked the trail leading to Fort Edward, they were attacked by the natives who killed several hundred and captured many others. Meanwhile, at Fort Edward, a council of war on August 5 determined that it was not practical to attempt to relieve Fort William Henry without exposing Fort Edward to danger. The next day, 1500 reinforcements arrived at Fort Edward including Sir William Johnson and his Mohawks, but it was too late as the garrison on Lake George had already surrendered. On August 11, Putnam and his rangers advanced north to meet the survivors of the massacre and escort them back to Fort Edward. The last stragglers arrived at the fort on August 16. A superb document providing a unique glimpse into military affairs at this most critical juncture of the French and Indian War. Documents of this nature from the French and Indian War, epically when written this close to critical events, are quite rare and desirable to serious collectors. First document (general orders) bears tape repairs on second page reinforcing weak folds. Second document is in fine condition save for the usual folds. Overall very good.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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