Description:

Revolutionary War

Important Revolutionary War Broadside, Just After the Battle Of Bunker Hill!

 

Early military broadside, 6.5" x 8.25". Signed in type by Adjutant-General Horatio Gates, with manuscript along bottom left corner of "To Lt. Wells Chase of the Capt Currier Comp of Col Fryes Regiment". Dated "July 10, 1775". Evenly toned, light edgewear, separation along fold lines. Verso with supportive paper reinforcement along folds and small hinge remnants.

 

An incredible Revolutionary War Broadside which reflects deep patriotic sentiment about whom may fight for the Liberty of America! Perhaps most interesting is the intense and narrow allowance for whom was considered for this cause. The highly protectionist stance described within the broadside limited who would be allowed to fight, demonstrating the concerns and worries that men who did not qualify would either offer poor performance or perhaps commit treason, or in some other way jeopardize the cause. By today's standards, to have such an enlistment requirement would be considered a contentious issue. Today, instead we live by political correctness to ensure that forms of expression or actions that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against is avoided.

 

This early military order was issued three weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Another copy of this order is in the Library of Congress, which attributes publication to Watertown, Massachusetts.

 

The broadside is shown in part below;

 

"You are not to enlist any deserter from the Ministerial Army nor any Stroller, Negro or Vagabond, or Person suspected of being an Enemy to the Liberty of America, nor any under Eighteen Years of Age.

 

As the Cause is the best that can engage Men of Courage and Principle to take up Arms; so it is expected that none but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer: The Pay, Provision &c. being for ample, it is not doubted but the Officers sent upon this Service will without Delay complete their respective Corps, and March the Men forthwith to Camp.

 

You are not to Enlist any Person who is not an American-born unless such Person has a Wife and Family, and is a settled Resident in this Country … "

 

Gates (1727-1806) was an experienced but controversial ex-British Army officer, valued for his expertise in military administration. He served as a General at the Battle of Saratoga and latter at the Battle of Camden. His role ast Saratoga was famously challenged by Benedict Arnold, and he was blamed for the defeat at Camden. He was mentioned as a stalking horse in the infamous Conway Cabal designed by disgruntled officers to discredit and replace George Washington.

 

The document is addressed to Lt. Wells Chase (1710-1785) of the Company of Captain John Currier (1726-1806), and Regiment of Colonel James Frye (d. 1776). Frye's regiment of 350 men was active in the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, where 15 were killed and 31 wounded, most notably Chase and Frye (the latter may have died of his wounds)


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