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Estimate: $ 20,000 - $ 30,000
"A NOBLE PROOF OF THAT ARDOR & SPIRIT IN THE ALLIED TROOPS" WASHINGTON, GEORGE. Letter Signed, "G°:Washington," to Brigadier General George Weedon, congratulating Weedon the day after a skirmish with Banastre Tarleton. Body of letter in the hand of Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. 2 pages, 4to, on the recto and verso of a single sheet; docketing on second page. "Head Quarters" [near Yorktown, VA], 4 October 1781
On 4 October, a week into the siege of Yorktown, the British colonel Banastre Tarleton led a foraging party out of Gloucester, VA. They were soon driven back within their lines with heavy losses by the French troops in Lauzun's Legion. Weedon, who was Lauzun's American counterpart in this part of the line, reported the news to General Washington, bringing this enthusiastic response: "I am much obliged by the communication of the intelligence which you have this day given me. The information is very pleasing, and the advantage obtained over the enemy, as it exhibits a noble proof of that ardor & spirit in the allied troops, which has long wished for an opportunity to display itself, so in its consequences, it may prove very interesting in the course of our operations." The remainder of the letter asks Weedon to find a more efficient route for delivering his messages, given the increased French control of the river: "I fancy as the ships now lye, the distance might be much shortened." With the siege entering its final two weeks, Washington points out that "As the necessity of frequent & expeditious communications with your side will probably increase, & may be of the utmost importance, it is a matter of great consequence to find out the shortest rout possible for our expresses." Published in Fitzgerald, Writings of Washington, 23:173-4.
