![Item #247974 [Autograph letter, signed, from the Deputy Muster Master General to New Jersey militia officer Joseph Clark, written from Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, leaving Clark in charge in Bradford's absence]. American Revolution, William Bradford Jr.](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/247974.jpg?auto=webp&v=1725645874)
Written from Valley Forge in the Winter of 1778
[Autograph letter, signed, from the Deputy Muster Master General to New Jersey militia officer Joseph Clark, written from Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, leaving Clark in charge in Bradford's absence].
[Valley Forge, PA]: January 10, 1778.
Price:
$4,000.00
[1]p. plus integral address leaf. 4to, on a folded folio sheet. In a folio-sized blue half morocco and cloth clamshell case, spine gilt. Old fold lines. Minor soiling, heavier on address leaf. Small paper loss on address leaf from wax seal. Very good.
Item #247974
A letter written by William Bradford, Jr., Deputy Muster Master General for the Continental Army, to Joseph Clark of the New Jersey Militia, written from the brutal winter encampment of Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. In it Bradford expresses concern at not having seen Clark personally, and states he is leaving Clark in charge while he is away. William Bradford Jr., son of the famous Revolutionary War printer of the same name, was a Philadelphia lawyer. He later served as Attorney-General of Pennsylvania, on the state Supreme Court, and as the second Attorney General of the United States 1794-5 (until he died, aged 40). His service in the American Revolution included action at the Battle of Trenton and a term is Deputy Muster Master General, 1777-1779. The recipient, Joseph Clark, was a soldier from New Jersey who attended Princeton and became a minister after the war.
Bradford writes:
"Sir, I was extremely disappointed by your going to Elizabethtown without seeing me. I have waited several days expecting your return; as I wanted you to superintend the department during my absence, & give you some instructions on that head. I have at length determined to set off for Philada. in confidence that your prudence will bring you to camp in a day or two, & that you will give such directions relative to the Department as the exigency of affairs may require. I have left notice at the Adjt. Genls. office that all officers do apply to you during my absence. You will direct Col. Thomas to muster Van Heere's corps of horse which is stationed at Schanks Mills on Millstone as soon as possible."
The corps of horse to which he refers is that of Capt. Barth Van Heer's dragoons - the group that served as General Washington's Lifeguards. This letter was written from Valley Forge, where the Continental Army spent the legendary winter of 1777-1778. Within weeks, Baron Friedrich von Steuben would arrive to drill the troops, turning ragtag colonials into disciplined soldiers. It was at Valley Forge that General Washington's army became a cohesive fighting force that would gain our nation its independence from Britain.
Item #247974
A letter written by William Bradford, Jr., Deputy Muster Master General for the Continental Army, to Joseph Clark of the New Jersey Militia, written from the brutal winter encampment of Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. In it Bradford expresses concern at not having seen Clark personally, and states he is leaving Clark in charge while he is away. William Bradford Jr., son of the famous Revolutionary War printer of the same name, was a Philadelphia lawyer. He later served as Attorney-General of Pennsylvania, on the state Supreme Court, and as the second Attorney General of the United States 1794-5 (until he died, aged 40). His service in the American Revolution included action at the Battle of Trenton and a term is Deputy Muster Master General, 1777-1779. The recipient, Joseph Clark, was a soldier from New Jersey who attended Princeton and became a minister after the war.
Bradford writes:
"Sir, I was extremely disappointed by your going to Elizabethtown without seeing me. I have waited several days expecting your return; as I wanted you to superintend the department during my absence, & give you some instructions on that head. I have at length determined to set off for Philada. in confidence that your prudence will bring you to camp in a day or two, & that you will give such directions relative to the Department as the exigency of affairs may require. I have left notice at the Adjt. Genls. office that all officers do apply to you during my absence. You will direct Col. Thomas to muster Van Heere's corps of horse which is stationed at Schanks Mills on Millstone as soon as possible."
The corps of horse to which he refers is that of Capt. Barth Van Heer's dragoons - the group that served as General Washington's Lifeguards. This letter was written from Valley Forge, where the Continental Army spent the legendary winter of 1777-1778. Within weeks, Baron Friedrich von Steuben would arrive to drill the troops, turning ragtag colonials into disciplined soldiers. It was at Valley Forge that General Washington's army became a cohesive fighting force that would gain our nation its independence from Britain.
