LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Feb Grand Format Book & Manuscript #682  / 

56034

Securing Powder at West Point Document

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:390.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Securing Powder at West Point Document
<B>Securing Powder at West Point</B></I> Manuscript Document, one page, 8.25' x 13", [West Point], January 15, 1782, being the "<I>Garrison Orders</B></I>" for the day at this key post on the Hudson. In full: "<I>Major Velefrank</B></I>[?] <I>of the Corps of Engineers having reported that there is no Magazine secure for Powder in Cartridge or in grain in the Forts No 1 2 3 & 4 and as the Season is now arrived when the heavy rains may be expected, and as the river is now full of Ice, the Enemy cannot move against these Posts with celerity nor without giving sufficient warning -- The officers commanding in these posts will furnish the Non Commision'd Rank & file and full grown Drum</B></I>[m]<I>ers and Fifers of their respective commander with twenty rounds each, and retain thirty more for each man of the above description in their respective works -- The residence of the musquetry</B></I> [sic] <I>ammunition they will return into the magazine the first good day, to prevent its being damaged or distroyed</B></I> [sic] <I>by any other accident and report to the Commandant respectively the number of cartridges returned in -- No more wood will be Issued to the Artificers, Invalids, Quarter Master of the Garrison until the 1st day of February, as the present flight of snow ill enable them to get in wood to serve them till that period - Those who have not sleads</B></I> [sic] <I>will apply to the Quarter Master of the Garrison</B></I>". Endorsed on verso by Captain <B>Nathaniel Cushing </B></I>who orders that "<I>A Return to be made without delay, at all the ammunition now on hand in the Brigade</B></I>". Cushing (1753-1814) was a Massachusetts officer in the Continental Army from 1777-83. He is best remembered for leading a daring raid that captured forty of De Lancey's loyalists in May 1780 following many previous but fruitless attempts. Muster rolls and other documents place Cushing at West Point soon before and after the date of this document. (See <I>Massachusetts Soldier's And Sailors of the Revolutionary War,</B></I> 4:297.) <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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