Jun 21, 2018 - Sale 2483

Sale 2483 - Lot 191

Price Realized: $ 4,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 5,000 - $ 7,500
ORDERING TROOPS FOR THE BATTLES OF PENSACOLA AND NEW ORLEANS MONROE, JAMES. Letter Signed, "Ja's Monroe," as Secretary of War, to Governor of KY Isaac Shelby, ordering him to send 2,500 troops to the aid of General Andrew Jackson. 1 page, 4to, with integral blank; faint scattered staining, folds. [Washington], 3 October 1814
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"General Jackson having called to his aid two thousand five hundred men from Tennessee, and this Department having ordered five thousand, from that state to join General Jackson, making a total of 7500 men; and which number upon further reflection is thought to be to be [sic] too great to call out at one time, from that state; you are therefore requested, to furnish form the state of Kentucky, 2500 men, to substitute that number, called form the state of Tennessee, and advise the Governor of that state, whether you can do so, or not. Should any unforeseen circumstances occur to prevent your furnishing them, they must go from Tennessee. You will take the necessary measures to forward these men to General Jackson with all possible dispatch."
In August of 1814, during the War of 1812, the British had made Pensacola, in Spanish West Florida, a base of operations in the region. On November 6, General Andrew Jackson arrived at Pensacola with 4,000 troops, offering the local authorities of neutral Spain a peaceful alliance. When they refused, Jackson attacked, quickly overwhelming the Spanish force and driving the British to abandon the town and its fortification. Although there was little fighting during the battle, the engagement proved important, for Spain became more reluctant to cooperate with Britain after British troops declined to stand with the town against Jackson's attack, and Jackson remained in command of a relatively fresh fighting force--thus improving the prospects for what became, three months later, the decisive Battle of New Orleans.