8

George Washington LS as Commander of the Continental Army

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
George Washington LS as Commander of the Continental Army
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
George Washington letter signed ''G. Washington'' as first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, dated 21 April 1781 from headquarters in New Windsor (now New York). During much of the Revolutionary War, New Windsor served as the major depot for the Continental Army and the Army medical department. Letter reads in full: ''Sir / You will oblige me by putting the inclosed into the Mail which I think will leave Hartford on Monday next. I am with very good Regard / Dear Sir / Your most Obt. and humble Servt. / G. Washington''. Since New York City was being held by British forces, Washington was forced to use mail routes across Connecticut, Long Island Sound and Long Island to communicate with points south. Shortly before Washington signed this letter, British naval forces attacked Charleston, South Carolina, forcing Washington to send troops to aid Americans, though Charleston would later fall on 12 May 1781 in the heaviest American defeat of the War. Washington remained in the north, collecting intelligence and planning other strategic moves, with limited mail use. Letter is beautifully mounted in a gilt frame with a creme-colored hand-wrapped silk mat. The letter was encapsulated in mylar by Frank Mowery of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. Small chip of paper is missing at lower right, slightly affecting the ''n'' and ''t'' in Washington's signature, though paper has been expertly filled in. Letter measures 6.5'' x 7.5'' and is in very good condition with nice, large signature at close of letter. Frame also encloses a color portrait of Washington and a biographical plaque.