Description:

George Washington
Valley Forge, PA, April 28, 1778
Gen. Washington Orders Paymaster Gen. of Continental Army to Pay 13th PA Private During Valley Forge
DS

A Revolutionary War-dated pay order with a partial signature by George Washington as Commander of the Continental Army and filled out and countersigned by his secretary, Robert Harrison. 1 partially printed page, measuring 8" x 6.75", "Head Quarters", dated April 28, 1778. Signed by, "[Go: Wa]shington," as Commander of the Continental Army and countersigned by his secretary, "Rob. H. Harrison." A cancellation hole from when payment was submitted has caused paper loss over the, "Go:," and "Wa," in Washington's signature. Washington orders the paymaster-general of the Continental Army to pay a private in the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Valley Forge Campaign. With docketing on the verso. With flattened folds. Professional repairs to the separations along the folds and the chipped edges. Toning and soiling throughout with dampstaining along the bottom edge. Washington's partial signature is slightly faint but still legible.

From December 1777 to June 1778, Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge, nearly twenty miles north of Philadelphia. Although conditions were notoriously harsh and provisions were in short supply, Washington managed to transform a battered Continental Army into a unified, world-class fighting force capable of beating the British. It was a major turning point during the American Revolution. The 13th Pennsylvania Regiment served under Washington's command at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth.

Documents from the War of Independence signed by Washington are virtually nonexistent and highly desirable (excluding military discharges). We have been unable to locate a single example like this related to Valley Forge available for sale at auction in the auction records over the past 50 years.

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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  • Dimensions: 8" x 6.75"
  • Medium: DS

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June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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