December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2023
Benedict Arnold shows his strategic sense in this letter datelined Philadelphia July 1777, addressed to Richard Peters, Secretary of the Continental Board of War: "Dear Sir, the honourable Board of War having requested my Sentiments with respect to an Expedition against Mobile & Pensacola..." He leaves the "minutiae" of the affair to Colonel Morgan, who is familiar with the country and needs of such an expedition, but estimates 1200 men setting out from Ft. Pitt in October or early November could handle the garrison of 200-300 by sailing down the Ohio and Mississippi in 4 or 5 weeks to Orleans and thence along the coast or by portage to Lake Pontchartrain and from there to the sea, which he deems shorter and less risky. He stresses the need to leave a guard at Kaskaskia to secure a pass on the Mississippi and to send 3 frigates by way of Havana to deal with British naval forces. His appreciation of intelligence work shows in the idea of sending an officer ahead to negotiate with the Governor and carry information to the navy vessels, and he strikes a practical note regarding keeping powder dry in a waterborne expedition: "NB Every Soldier should be furnished with a good Powder Horn." His preoccupation with money appears early: rather than just destroying British stores at those locations he stresses their occupation, "will open a door for a very Considerable & lucrative trade with the Spaniards & Indians." It is ironic that his addressee, Richard Peters, is the one who discovered Arnold had been misusing funds meant for clothing and food for his troops. CONDITION: Exc. Arnold’s signature has not been verified, and this is likely a secretarial copy, but very interesting nonetheless.
Item Dimensions: 15" X 9"