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From 1775 to 1779. Matthew Whitney trac

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:140.00 USD Estimated At:275.00 - 325.00 USD
From 1775 to 1779. Matthew Whitney trac
From 1775 to 1779. Matthew Whitney traces the years of his service in the Revolutionary War in a letter to Hon. Elisha Pope, Comptroller of State of Connecticut, Hartford. This A.L.S., from Albany, Aug. 19, 1833, 3 pp., supplies requested information, probably for pension application. In Spring 1775, Whitney "enrolled in a company of militia in N.Y., while Long Island was taken by the enemy. Term of Service 2 mos." In Spring 1777, he was in Eliphalet Thorp's company, marched to Danbury, and was placed under Benedict Arnold. He had an engagement at Ridgefield, and was transferred to Capt. Humphrey's unit, "whose duty it was to service Connecticut," where he served nine months. Then, in Spring 1778, he was in Fairfield County, Conn. (where Whitney had been born in 1760), in a number of different units. In 1779, he enlisted as a Corporal in Thorp's company "on the Connecticut Service," and was stationed at Groves Hill at the mouth of Black Rock Harbor, and was at the Battle of Fairfield when the place was burnt by the enemy. He spent 8 -1/2 months in service that year. At the close, Whitney lists nine officers he served under in 1776 and 1777, and also lists other officers in the body of his letter in whose units he served. Pages 1 and 2, on verso, are closely trimmed; p. 3 breaking at vertical fold, with some pencil notations in far left margin, not touching text. Integral address-leaf, vestige of red wax seal. Stamped Paid, manuscript postal marking, and circular handstamp (unclear). Darkly penned. Varied Army career of a soldier who was a member of Washington's favorite fighting unit, "The Connecticut Line."