December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
A wonderful letter addressed to Col. Wilson by Thomas Hartley, 6th Pennsylvania Battalion, at Crown Point written just weeks before the Battle of Valcour: “The enemy have not yet attacked our fleet- but we daily expect they will- should our gallies be ready before they make the attempt, the enemy will doubtless miscarry.” Hartley refers to men troubled by the “Ague,” but hopes they will recover and goes on to express his hope to be retained when the army is reorganized, supposing that he and Col. Irvine, likely James Irvine, also of Pennsylvania, could each raise a regiment, and recommends various officers by name for advancement in the 2 regiments. Hartley went on to be colonel of “Hartley’s Additonal Continental Regiment,” later designated the 11th Pennsylvania. Irvine may be William Irvine, commander of the 6th Pennsylvania at the time and then on parole, or James Irvine of the 1st PA. “Col. Wilson” may be Lt. Col. George Wilson of the 8th PA. Hartley was prescient: the British plan did miscarry. They took Ticonderoga, won a tactical victory at Valcour, and even took Crown Point, but Arnold’s forces had delayed them so long in the season that they could not take advantage of their successes and withdrew north to winter quarters. CONDITION: Excellent.