AMERICAN REVOLUTION] WAYNE, ANTHONY (1745–1796) Autograph Letter Signed ("Anty Wayne") to Robert Morris Sharp Delany, Samuel Morris and Henry Hill "Camp at Totowa," 9 November 1780. 8 pages, 8vo, mounting strip along spine, folds, minor chips at margins.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION] WAYNE, ANTHONY (1745–1796) Autograph Letter Signed ("Anty Wayne") to Robert Morris Sharp Delany, Samuel Morris and Henry Hill "Camp at Totowa," 9 November 1780. 8 pages, 8vo, mounting strip along spine, folds, minor chips at margins. "Mad" Anthony Wayne decries the lack of provisions, clothing and pay for his soldiers, and predicts the Pennsylvania line mutiny of 1 January 1781: "I very much dread the ides of January – it will be crisis in which we are most vulnerable…especially if your adversary makes use of a more effectual argument – by holding out an immediate relief in one hand, & an invitation to participate of their friendship and plenty in the other…” Blaming "mistaken ideas in our civil councils with respect to the termination of this war, the wanton neglect of our agents in France," Wayne concluded, "we are likely to experience greater extremes of distress (if possible) for want of Clothing for the troops this Winter than at any period since the commencement of this contest…" More ominously, Wayne predicts a threat to morale by the retirement of key officers, "necessitated…in conformity to a late act of Congress," referencing the personnel losses dictated by the reorganization of the Continental Army that was to go into effect on 1 January 1780: "the soldiery will be much sowered by the Incorporation of the Regiments, & obliging them to Continue in the Service, after a considerable number of very excellent Officers retire from it – Officers whom they have been taught to follow & obey – not from any local attachment to this Country or pecuniary reward – but from personal affection, Gratitude and Confidence, in Gentlemen under whom they have often fought & mutually bled, & participated of every vicissitude of fortune in common with them." "I say when these officers retire from the field… it will require the utmost exertions & address of those who conciliate the affections of the men to prevent Desertion & mutiny – nor will it be in their power to prevent these consequences unless the Situation of the Soldiers are rendered, not only comfortable, but desirable – by Immediately furnishing each man with an Eligant [sic] & complete suit of Uniform – some hard cash towards making up the Depreciation, and a full & due allowance of Provision, & a constant supply of State stores – for however Gentleman may think of matters – for my own part I very much dread the Ides of January – it will be the Crisis in which we are most vulnerable – & as I have already Observed, in which the minds of the troops will be most susceptible of Impressions injurious to this Service, & I have grown to believe that this is the Season in which the Enemy are Instructed to operate, – should they then advance & find our troops wretchedly appointed and pinchingly fed – the prospect will not be very flattering on our side – for we shall find it fully as difficult a task to introduce a conviction into our people that the Articles of Provision & warm Clothing are non–essentials, in a Winter's Campaign – as it was for Peter to pass a piece of brown loaf upon martin & jack for good Mutton and Burgundy." Wayne feared not only mutiny, but defection to the enemy if the situation was not soon remedied: "No Gentleman – it is Impossible, the first & keenest feelings of Nature, hunger Hold, – are not to be reasoned down by Sophistry – especially If your adversary makes use of a more effectual argument – by holding out an Immediate relief in one hand, & an invitation to participate of their friendship and plenty in the other. Believe me Gentleman that this is not a picture drawn by panic pencil – it is taken from the life & has Implanted too Indeliable an Impression upon my mind to be easily eradicated." Wayne also feared that the British would take advantage "of our necessitous situation & Internal Disunion," by means of "a Winter's manoeuvre act & Corruption, what they cannot hope to accomplish by open force." In order to prevent a gener
AMERICAN REVOLUTION] WAYNE, ANTHONY (1745–1796) Autograph Letter Signed ("Anty Wayne") to Robert Morris Sharp Delany, Samuel Morris and Henry Hill "Camp at Totowa," 9 November 1780. 8 pages, 8vo, mounting strip along spine, folds, minor chips at margins.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION] WAYNE, ANTHONY (1745–1796) Autograph Letter Signed ("Anty Wayne") to Robert Morris Sharp Delany, Samuel Morris and Henry Hill "Camp at Totowa," 9 November 1780. 8 pages, 8vo, mounting strip along spine, folds, minor chips at margins. "Mad" Anthony Wayne decries the lack of provisions, clothing and pay for his soldiers, and predicts the Pennsylvania line mutiny of 1 January 1781: "I very much dread the ides of January – it will be crisis in which we are most vulnerable…especially if your adversary makes use of a more effectual argument – by holding out an immediate relief in one hand, & an invitation to participate of their friendship and plenty in the other…” Blaming "mistaken ideas in our civil councils with respect to the termination of this war, the wanton neglect of our agents in France," Wayne concluded, "we are likely to experience greater extremes of distress (if possible) for want of Clothing for the troops this Winter than at any period since the commencement of this contest…" More ominously, Wayne predicts a threat to morale by the retirement of key officers, "necessitated…in conformity to a late act of Congress," referencing the personnel losses dictated by the reorganization of the Continental Army that was to go into effect on 1 January 1780: "the soldiery will be much sowered by the Incorporation of the Regiments, & obliging them to Continue in the Service, after a considerable number of very excellent Officers retire from it – Officers whom they have been taught to follow & obey – not from any local attachment to this Country or pecuniary reward – but from personal affection, Gratitude and Confidence, in Gentlemen under whom they have often fought & mutually bled, & participated of every vicissitude of fortune in common with them." "I say when these officers retire from the field… it will require the utmost exertions & address of those who conciliate the affections of the men to prevent Desertion & mutiny – nor will it be in their power to prevent these consequences unless the Situation of the Soldiers are rendered, not only comfortable, but desirable – by Immediately furnishing each man with an Eligant [sic] & complete suit of Uniform – some hard cash towards making up the Depreciation, and a full & due allowance of Provision, & a constant supply of State stores – for however Gentleman may think of matters – for my own part I very much dread the Ides of January – it will be the Crisis in which we are most vulnerable – & as I have already Observed, in which the minds of the troops will be most susceptible of Impressions injurious to this Service, & I have grown to believe that this is the Season in which the Enemy are Instructed to operate, – should they then advance & find our troops wretchedly appointed and pinchingly fed – the prospect will not be very flattering on our side – for we shall find it fully as difficult a task to introduce a conviction into our people that the Articles of Provision & warm Clothing are non–essentials, in a Winter's Campaign – as it was for Peter to pass a piece of brown loaf upon martin & jack for good Mutton and Burgundy." Wayne feared not only mutiny, but defection to the enemy if the situation was not soon remedied: "No Gentleman – it is Impossible, the first & keenest feelings of Nature, hunger Hold, – are not to be reasoned down by Sophistry – especially If your adversary makes use of a more effectual argument – by holding out an Immediate relief in one hand, & an invitation to participate of their friendship and plenty in the other. Believe me Gentleman that this is not a picture drawn by panic pencil – it is taken from the life & has Implanted too Indeliable an Impression upon my mind to be easily eradicated." Wayne also feared that the British would take advantage "of our necessitous situation & Internal Disunion," by means of "a Winter's manoeuvre act & Corruption, what they cannot hope to accomplish by open force." In order to prevent a gener
Testen Sie LotSearch und seine Premium-Features 7 Tage - ohne Kosten!
Lassen Sie sich automatisch über neue Objekte in kommenden Auktionen benachrichtigen.
Suchauftrag anlegen![AMERICAN REVOLUTION] WAYNE, ANTHONY (1745–1796) Autograph L...](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/NYR/2016_NYR_12262_0366_000(american_revolution_wayne_anthony_autograph_letter_signed_to_robert_mo).jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
