Apr 17, 2012 - Sale 2276

Sale 2276 - Lot 49

Price Realized: $ 9,600
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500
SEND RUM, "WITHOUT WHICH YOU KNOW WE CAN DO NOTHING" LAFAYETTE, GILBERT DU MOTIER; MARQUIS DE. Letter Signed, "Lafayette," as Major General, to Colonel Davis [William Davies] of the Virginia Board of War, announcing his pursuit of the enemy to Williamsburg, and pleading urgently for supplies. With Franking Signature "Lafayette M G" on address leaf. 2 pages, 4to, with integral address leaf; small seal hole on address leaf, minor wear and foxing. "Head Quarters" [between Fredericksburg and Williamsburg, VA], 22 June 1781

Additional Details

"Yesterday morning the enemy evacuated Richmond, and seem to be bending towards Williamsburg. We are following them. At this moment the army is in great want of cartriges, we also want powder and lead for the riflemen. . . . If I cannot get a number of boats upon carriages, every operation must be impeded in the lower part of Virginia. . . . Let me add to this letter of wants, that of rum and shoes, without which you know we can do nothing." Abstracted in Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution, IV:497.