Description:

Capt. Samuel Kearsley ALS Great Intrigue and Association to Gen. Washington "His Excellency"

A Revolutionary War letter concerning possible retirement from the military, 1p of a bifolium, measuring 6.75" x 8.25", Sunbury, dated June 22, 1779. Signed "Sam. Kearsley Capt 11th P. Regt" and addressed to Brigadier General Edward Hand. Capt. Kearsley wrote that he had considered leaving the military but was dissuaded from doing so by General Washington. The letter has flattened mail folds, slightly rough edges, and toning throughout. Minor ink bleed. Boldly signed, very good overall.

The letter reads in full:
"I just beg leave to inform you of my arrival here on the 16th inst. & shou'd have been with you before this but waiting for the return of the boats with whoom [sic] I shall set out tomorrow. The necessitous circumstances of my family together with some other reasons since obviated about a month ago caus'd me to have thoughts of retiring from service but on my application to His Excellency on the subject, his wishes for my continuing has determin'd me to continue the warr [sic] at all risks shall life & health permit."

Captain Samuel Kearsley (1750-1830) was Captain of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, serving under Colonel Thomas Hartley. During the winter of 1777-1778, Kearsley was with Washington at Valley Forge, and he and his wife provided the soldiers with flour and meat, from Cumberland Co. Upon hearing this, General Washington honored Captain Kearsley by presenting him with his own (Washington's) sword, a French rapier he'd worn at Braddock's defeat. The inscription on the sword was "Draw me not without reason; sheathe me not without honor", along with the added epitaph: "Presented to Capt. Samuel Kearsley as a token of esteem by George Washington."

The "necessitous circumstances" Captain Kearsley mentioned were caused by the loss of his house due to a fire that occurred at his estate. Kearsley had obviously been concerned about the welfare of his family and property and believed he might have to leave the service to tend to the matter. The other reason Kearsley wished to retire, however, was because he was going to be transferred from Col. William Malcom’s Additional Continental Regiment to Col. Oliver Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment. He had submitted his resignation to Washington, but it seemed the matter had been happily resolved, as Kearsley later wrote to Washington on June 4, 1779: "I have decided in favor of the service as I have ever been Anxious to promote the True Interest of my Country since the earliest period of this unhappy war… I am determined to pursue your Excellency's fortune as God shall enable me till it is come to a close."

However, Kearsley had changed his mind too late; Washington had already accepted his resignation. Upon reapplying to join the army, presumably at his former rank, Kearsley was yet again disappointed. Washington wrote to him on July 9th: "I am sorry to inform you that though I most sincerely wish your resignation had not taken place it will now be impossible to reintroduce you into the Regiment… a general uneasiness prevails among the officers at the apprehension of your readmission. Immediately on the receipt of your letter to me of the 8th, your resignation was entered as is customary and you were considered as out of the service—Nor is it in my power at present to alter the case, notwithstanding the favourable opinion I entertain of you and the regret which your determination to leave the service occasioned me." Following this rejection, it appears Kearsley did finally retire from service.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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