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Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818) Americ Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818) American

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Henry  Light Horse Harry  Lee (1756-1818) Americ Henry  Light Horse Harry  Lee (1756-1818) American
<B>Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818) American general in the Revolutionary War, Autograph Letter Signed,</B></I> "<I>Henry Lee Major L[ight]. D[ragoons]</B></I>", two pages, 8" x 12.25", Nothingham, April 24, 1778, to Thomas Wharton, President of Pennsylvania, discussing the procurement of horses for his dragoons. Soon after receiving his commission as Major taking command of an irregular regiment of dragoons, he writes in part: "<I>Being acquainted that there are some excellent horses for the dragoon Service, now in Lancaster, purchased by your Excellency's orders. I have taken the liberty to solicit them for the use for my Corps. Should any previous questions arise, by which means, my request may not meet with immediate success, I beg your Excellency, will please to bear in remembrance my application. I flatter myself, when it is considered, at what an advanced season of the year, the Corps of Partizan Dragoon was directed to be raised, that the officers will receive every convenient aid from the Legislatures of the contiguous states, to enable them to take the field with all possible dispatch. </B></I>" Lee's dragoons would serve with great distinction through the balance of the war including a spectacular surprise attack on the British outpost at Paulus Hook in August, 1779 for which he received a gold medal -- an award given to no other officer below the rank of general during the entire conflict. Lee's dragoons would later join Nathaniel Greene in the Carolinas and prove invaluable at Guilford Court House, Eutaw Springs, and Camden. Reinforced along left margin, margins slightly irregular, one tiny pin hole, else near fine condition. Extremely scarce in war-date form; this is an excellent example. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.