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Lot 206
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General Washington's important call for recruits in 1781
General Washington's important call for recruits in 1781
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Description:

Washington George

Bi-fold on laid paper stock, 8" x 13". Dated "Boston January 19, 1781" and signed by Benjamin Lincoln as "B Lincoln", a major general in the Continental Army serving under Washington at this time (later in the year he was the officer who accepted the sword of surrender from Cornwallis at Yorktown). The letter appoints Shepard as commander of new recruits, and gives fairly detailed instructions. Written extensively on three pages with the final page containing the docket. Bi-fold is age toned with light stains and/or handling marks, with a few pinholes of paper loss along the fold lines. Strong contrasting ink with a bold signature by Benjamin Lincoln.

 

 Important official Benjamin Lincoln letter to CoL William Shepard nominating him "Superintendent of the Recruits”, mentioning General Washington and Gen. Heath. The stunning letter represents The official request to Benjamin Lincoln from General Washington to nominate a "Superintendent of the Recruits”. General Benjamin Lincoln thus writes this letter to Colonel William Shepard On January l9, 1781, shortly after the Mutiny of the Officers in Pennsylvania on January 10th (when more then half of the Troops left the service, and other soldiers who enlisted at the beginning of the War were discharged from service on January 1st, 1781, unless they reenlisted or new recruits were enrolled into service,) On January 20th, a mutiny of the New Jersey Line accord and General Washington worked desperately to keep his Armies together and was faced with the problem on how to induce new recruits so that he could maintain a strong Army.

 

This important Revolutionary War letter informs CoL William Shepard that he has been chosen with the important job requested from General Washington as "Superintendent of the Recruits” and suggest numerous requirements that the new recruits need to follow. This matter relates directly with General Washington’s famous call for troops in 1781, and these new Recruits were important for the Generals famous campaign the same year which would be the last decisive battle against the British at Yorktown against Lord Cornwallis, which event would end the War for Independence — General Benjamin Lincoln was chosen Washington’s second in command at the Battle at Yorktown and made history when they say that he received the surrender of Yorktown from the British.

The letter is shown in full below;

                                       "Boston January 19th 1781

Dear Sir,

His Excellency General Washington having requested me to nominate a Gentleman of the Army, in this quarter, Superintendent of the Recruits - and at the same time intimated that you wish to be employed somewhere near home until Spring -1 am happy in having it at once in my power to comply with your wishes, and to benefit the service by appointing you to that office.

 

As the duties of this business will require some general instructions, I have to request that you will please to call to your assistance, in the discharge of it, such officers as you may deem necessary who are now at home on furlough - that die Barracks at Springfield which will be your general rendevous, may be prepared for the reception of the recruits - that an accurate descriptive list may be kept, wherein it shall be specified for what particular Counties and Towns the recruits engaged - That the best order may be preserved, and the recruits as much fitted for service as possible, it will be necessary to train and discipline them daily - to this end, and that you may mount proper guards, I will send on some arms- You will order daily returns to be made to you; and be pleased to furnish me with a weekly return, in which you will remark every casualty - You will appoint such noncommissioned from the recruits, as you may judge best qualified to discharge the temporary duties of Sergeants and Corporals - The Commissary at Springfield will be instructed to supply provision agreeable to your returns, which will be his vouchers.

 

From your knowledge of service I am persuaded nothing will be neglected, which may contribute to the establishment of order and regularity, and prevent every improper conduct in the Soldiers towards the Inhabitants.

 

The duties prescribed to Mr. Bliss by the law of the Commonwealth you will consider as the rule of your conduct in superintending the recruits, he being discharged from that office - which law is enclosed, as likewise copy of the resolve, which changes the original mode.

 

General Washington informs me that the Officers, now here on furlough, must at present do the duty, and that he will desire General Heath to forward others to relieve them.

 

I have the pleasure to inform you that the Assembly has voted to clothe the recruits immediately, and before they are ordered to Camp - this I think will be agreeable to them, and facilitate the recruiting service.

 

While on the one hand the strictest order and discipline is to be maintained among the troops - on the other as a piece of Justice which we owe them, that every attention should be paid that they are duly supplied, and that there is no just ground of complaint - hence the command of them will be easy, and the service their delight.

 

As the Barracks are few in Springfield -I wish for that reason, and because it will save travel that the men raised in Berkshire County might rendezvous at Great Barrington or somewhere in that county where they can be best accommodated - provided, that, at such place, provision can with ease be obtained - If you should leave them there you will appoint proper Officers to discipline them - however this matter I must leave with you - you will conduct it as shall best promote the good of the service.

 

You will please to write to the Superintendents of Worcester, Hampshire, Bristol & Berkshire, and send them a copy of the enclosed resolve.

I am Dear Sir, you affect, humble servant,

B(enjamin) Lincoln

Colonel Shepard"

 

Docket reads:  General Lincoln to Col. Shepard - Jan. 19th, 1781

 

Lincoln gives instructions on preparing returns listing the recruits, the appointment of non-commissioned officers, means of obtaining provisions, and other details. A fascinating letter indicative of the problems of recruiting and retaining the soldiers for Washington's army during the final stages of the American Revolution.

 

William Shepard: Colonel William Shepard was born in 1737 and died 1817. A noted Continental officer (Col.) and selectman from Massachusetts. Col. Shepard fought in the French and Indian War and then took part in 22 Revolutionary War engagements. In January of 1777, he took command of the 4th Massachusetts regiment, and after spending the winter at Valley Forge, he returned to Springfield and was chosen for the important job of recruiting duty.

 

 

Benjamin Lincoln, major general in the Continental Army serving under Washington at this time (later in the year he was the officer who accepted the sword of surrender from Cornwallis at Yorktown), appoints Shepard as commander of new recruits, and gives fairly detailed instructions.

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