Beschreibung:

WAYNE, ANTHONY. Major General . Autograph document signed ("Anty Wayne"), co-signed by six of his field commanders, including General Irvine, written on the verso of an Autograph letter signed of Captain Zebulon Pike (father of the explorer) alerting General Wayne to an impending British counterattack from Manhattan, Bull's Ferry [New Jersey, on the Hudson] 21 July 1780. 1 page, small folio, 210 x 300mm. (8 x 12 in.), lightly soiled, edges a bit worn, minor separation at horizontal fold (not affecting text), with remnants of red wax seal . ORIGINAL MINUTES OF MAD ANTHONY'S FIELD COUNCIL HELD DURING THE ATTACK ON THE BULL'S FERRY BLOCKHOUSE According to a plan approved by Washington, Wayne and his troops (two brigades and Stephen Moylan's mounted dragoons) launched a raid into British-held portions of New Jersey, advancing at dawn on June 20th on the blockhouse at Bull's Ferry. It was garrisoned by American loyalists ("Banditti" and "horse-thieves" according to Wayne) who put up a stiff resistance. The American artillery could not damage the blockhouse. Pike, posted with an advance party and watching the British camps across the Hudson, wrote at 9:00 a.m. to Wayne: "...at day Brake I...observed some motion of the Enemy...they have march't ...their has this moment appeared in sight about two thousand of the Enemy together with a Number of waggons [and]...six large boats..." Alerted to a large British counterattack, General Wayne himself records the meeting he held with his officers, heading the page: "At a Council of War held in the field..." Present, he notes were himself, General Irvine, four colonels and two majors. "The he ammunition being nearly expended many men Wounded & altho' the artillery is advanced within 60 or 70 Yards -- little Impression made -- the object not being adequate to the risque we shall run by longer Delay as from the within Letter & other Observations a move of the Enemies army both above & below Kingsbridge is taking place it is unanimously Determined to withdraw in time to secure our passage over New Bridge & to drive off the Cattle after burning the boats at the landing..." Wayne and his troops did withdraw, but were successful in burning all the British sloops and the boats at the landing, and in seizing a large number of cattle for forage, which prompted Major John André to compose a derisive poem on the event, "The Cow Chace."