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Lot 320: 1780, Recruiting Service Orders

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:480.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Lot  320:  1780, Recruiting Service Orders
<b>American Revolution</b><hr><b>Orders to Enlist “None But Able, Effective Men” in Connecticut</b>

<b>April 9, 1780, Recruiting Service Orders to proceed to Governor Trumball for instructions regarding the enlistment of “Able, Effective Men,” Fine. </b>
Autograph Letter Signed, in the hand of one Major W. Clift, 1 page, 8.5” x 6.5,” no place, April 9, 1780; to Lieutenant Goodall. Some wear and the center fold has been strengthened on the verso. In Full: “Agreeable to Genl. Orders, you are to proceed to the State of Connecticut on the Recruiting Service and wait on Governour Trumball for particular Recruiting instructions, you are to inlist None but Able, Effective Men, and then Continue Recruiting till you have Orders to join your Regiment.”

By 1780, the Continental Army had suffered its worst privations, its greatest defeats, and its darkest hours. The recruitment of soldiers, difficult to begin with, became almost impossible when the troops could neither be paid or supplied, and had to suffer such winters as those at Morristown. Enlistments and drafts from the militia were down by half for even one year's service, as compared to the beginning of the War, for three years service. Morale was terrible; mutiny was in the air. Under these circumstances, the recruitment of troops from Connecticut, second only to Massachusetts in sending men to serve, was of vital importance.