(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) PUTNAM ISRAEL Letter Signed written in

Sale 1985 - Lot 11

Price Realized: $ 3,680

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) PUTNAM, ISRAEL. Letter Signed, written in the hand of his aide-de-camp Aaron Burr, to Thomas Wharton, the President of the Philadelphia Council of Safety, informing him that every man in Captain Brown's company has deserted after being denied back rations of rum, recommending that they be arrested and punished, and expressing concern that the cannons are unmanned. 1 page, tall 4to sheet; small portrait of Putnam mounted on recto, toned, silked; framed. Princeton, 10 September 1777

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"I am just informed by Capt. Brown of Schdty that last night every man of his Company deserted. The Reason of this Manoevre I suppose was that we were some Days without Rum. When a fresh Supply came they expected to receive all their back Rations at once. This however I would not comply with, for beside the bad Precedent, there would be not a Man of them left for Duty. I dispatched Capt. Brown off immediately to apprehend and bring them back. I hope Gentlemen spirited Measures will be used which shall track these Villains that they are not to go where and when they please. We have now two pieces of Cannon without a Man to work them. The consequences of this desertion might be very serious in Case of an Attack. I need not insist further on the Necessity of dealing vigorously with these Deserters, otherwise their Example will probably be soon followed by half the Army . . ."