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Pontiac's Rebellion Fort Pitt signed manuscripts (Pontiac's Rebellion - The Relief of Fort Pitt)

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Pontiac's Rebellion Fort Pitt signed manuscripts (Pontiac's Rebellion - The Relief of Fort Pitt)
<B>(Pontiac's Rebellion - The Relief of Fort Pitt)</B></I> A fine collection of three manuscript Documents relative to the expedition commanded by Colonel Henry Bouquet to relieve Fort Pitt in the summer of 1763 -- in the opening days of Pontiac's rebellion. The lot includes a sign-up roll for a volunteer ranger company, a payroll for the company, and a receipt signed by one of its members. At the close of the French and Indian War in 1763, the Ottawa war chief, Pontiac, based at Detroit, called for war against the English by those tribes they were formerly allied with to defeat the French. British General Jeffery Amherst ordered Colonel Henry Bouquet to mount an expedition to relieve Fort Pitt, an important western post at the site of present day Pittsburgh. The relief force defeated a body of Delaware, Mingo, Shawnee and Wyandot at Bushy Run on August 5, 1763, saving the fort. Interestingly, it was during this campaign that Bouquet advanced the idea of infecting Indian trade blankets with smallpox to act as a biological weapon against the hostile tribes. The documents offered here include a <B>manuscript Document Signed</B></I> by fourteen volunteers, one page, 7.25" x 9.25", Fort Cumberland, July 26, 1763, who are "<I>..to be lawfully enlisted [sic] in a company of Rangers under ye command of Capt. Leumel Barett for to march to fort pitt for ye space of two months...</B></I>" The second document is another <B>manuscript Document Signed,</B></I> "<I>Lemul. Barrett</B></I>", one page, 12.5" x 7.5", Fort Bedford, August 20,. 1763, an "<I>Acc[oun]t of Subsistance [sic] for a Party of Voluntiers [sic] Commanded by Capt. Lemuel Barett</B></I>" listing the names of twelve officers and men, their dates of enlistment and discharge as well as the amounts of money owed to them. It lists Lieutenant David Bursdall who was killed on August 5, 1763 when the party was attacked by Indians near Bushy Run. On the verso several of the members have added their signed endorsements noting receipt of their pay. The third piece is a <B>manuscript Document Signed</B></I> by Thomas Simpson with his mark, "<I>x</B></I>" one page, 7.5" x 4.5", "<I>Fort Bedford</B></I>", Dec. 29, 1763 in which Simpson acknowledges receipt "<I>...by Coll. Bouquet's Order five Pounds... on Acct of the time I have lost during the Cure of a Wound I received in the Belly at the Battle of Edge hill last August...</B></I>" A rare set of documents from one of the more tragic episodes in early American history. Overall condition is very good with some irregular margins, light soiling and the expected folds. It is almost impossible to source material from this period; this is a fine representative group. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.