Description:

Revolutionary War
Bedford, NY, May 9, 1781
Revolutionary War Letter Penned Day of Battle of Pine's Bridge: "Col [Greene]...cut to death"
AL
Superb partial autograph letter (unsigned), four pages, 8" x 13", Bedford, N.Y., May 9 through May 13, 1781. The first page is numbered "5" at top right, suggesting that it is part of a much longer missive. Penned by an unknown Revolutionary leader to an unknown recipient, with fine military content about the trials in the Westchester County of New York, wartime depredations, battles, and more. Evenly toned, wear to margins with weakened and split folds, still boldly penned and very legible. Most worthy of further research!

The letter reads, in part: "…Since the foregoing sheet was written, I have revolved in my usual Orbit enjoying life as it passes, anticipating no evils and suffering very little from reflection…What few troubles I have arise from a view of the vices of the youth in this County mentioned already, many of whom, divested of all filial duty and regardless of any authority, are becom[ing] a band of Robbers, but tis some consolation to find that most of them are massacred who fall into the enemy's hands. Instead of defending the Property of their Neighbour which is every night invaded they are retaliating in the same indiscriminate way…My Company is some security against an enemy by day but night-walkers generally escape. My Patriots frequently fire on small Parties by night…Sunday morning a Lad came riding moderately in sight of us under an Edge of a Mountain. Four of the guards pursued him and the Mountain being almost inaccessible, he quitted his horse and arms and attempted to escape, but one of them fired a ball thro' his body…he died about 6 hours afterwards. This Lad, about 18 years old, with his father about 6 weeks ago were professedly high Whigs, in arms against the King but suddenly disappeared…returned with two other brothers and carried off their neighbor's cattle. 'My Boys' says the old Dutch wretch, 'would steal…again if they would mind dier Vader.' What think you of such instruction? Such a War? And of Man?...

...My soul longeth for Peace, and where is it?...Look at the two extremes. A spark of fire in Boston Town meeting, and five nations in one general blaze. Who could have foretold this universal Jargon [?]. Dam [?] with a little help, introduced sin and corruption, and Adams ---es have imitated their Predecessor. However…I do not pronounce the War unnecessary, but very uncomfortable. It has certainly tossed many of us about the fields…when a bed and sweet heart might have added to our domestic Joys…Our tryals in the course of a Campaign are severe. Congress felt them and voted a recompense, and will individual states counteract their proceedings…We hear Connecticut are killing off their children. Mass[achusetts] and N.H. laying an embargo on Procreation lest posterity should be compelled to support pensioners…

...May 14th, 1781…Yesterday morning a large body of foot and horse arrived at the quarters of Col. [Christopher] Green[e] (from Rhode Island) above Croton River, surprized his guard consisting of 12 men, killed and took them all. Maj. Flagg was shot dead and cut to pieces, the Col. most shockingly wounded, carried a mile and cut to death. D. Henry and 3 officers taken and afterwards much cut, they then proceeded to Pines Bridge killed and took all the guard but one. Maj. Morril escaped by accidentally sleeping from his quarters. 11 were murdered and 36 taken. Two days before this I had concluded on a scout of 12 or 15 miles, to conceal myself in the Woods and intercept communication with the Enemy. Col. Green[e] happening then to be at my quarters…

...I accordingly marched on the even'g of the 12 to the Neighborhood of the [White] Plains and continued in a wood most of the day…On this fateful morning I was 15 mile [sic] below them, little thinking of my danger as they went up the River road and no person gave us intelligence…I turned a side upon a Heyht to refresh, some distance from any road. After an hour's halt we espied about 500 foot and horse coming into the road, we had passed at right angles not half a mile below us. My Party consisted of 54 Noncom[missione]d and privates, one guide and 3 volunteer horsemen beside 3 off'rs. Supposing my Party their sole object, my wits were summoned to escape without loss of time being now 12 miles from any support. In 3 minutes about 70 horse were around me, front flank and rear intending to retard my retreat and so favor the operations of the foot, but my ground was well adapted to my circumstances and knowing that order and a precipitant retreat were my only security, I moved as fast as possible keeping up a constant fire on every quarter which was returned from their Rifles and Carbines, 10 minutes half would have bro't the foot upon me. Not a moment's delay would be admitted which emboldened the rascals to come within Pistol shot but in no order. The pursuit was three miles. My men in consequence of 30 miles march in the scout were many of them…". There, the letter ends.

Few areas suffered as greatly as from the devastation of the Revolutionary than Westchester, New York War. By late 1780, Westchester was described as "a country in ruins" by one of the chief chroniclers of the war, Dr. James Thacher. In addition to the ravages perpetrated by the battles themselves, Westchester residents were besieged by attacks by "Cow-Boys" (cattle thieves), Skinners, Patriot flip-floppers, and the depredations of other desperate citizens, as well as raids of bands of Loyalist Militia. On May 14, 1781 - the day our letter ends - Westchester suffered an especially devastating raid at Pine's Bridge, a significant crossing point on the Croton River, defended by Christopher Greene and his mostly-black Rhode Island regiment. The British, led by James De Lancey, ambushed this important American defensive position, killing most of Greene's regiment and brutally slaying the Colonel himself. According to witnesses, Greene was slashed repeatedly with bayonet and sword ("cut to pieces," as reported in our letter), while his troops acted with exceptional bravery in defending their slain leader.

Despite its bloody history and being the locus of endless strife, Westchester would also be the site of a pivotal moment in what appeared to be a wearying and inconclusive war: during the summer of 1781, American and French Armies were encamped side by side in Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Hartsdale, and White Plains, while Washington and Rochambeau made the high-risk decision that would finally lead to victory.

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 13"
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