Washington, George. One autograph letter signed & 3 letters signed to General Alexander McDougall, September 1777

WASHINGTON, GEORGE

A SERIES OF ONE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED & THREE MANUSCRIPT LETTERS SIGNED AS COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ("GO: WASHINGTON"), TO GENERAL ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, DIRECTING THE ARRIVAL OF THE REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE PHILADELPHIA CAMPAIGN

Manuscript letter, 1 1/2 pages (8 1/4 x 6 1/2 in.; 211 x 169 mm) on a bifolium, body of the letter in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison, [Camp near Potts Grove, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1777 (date from docket)], integral address leaf with Washington's franking signature, reception docket; leaves separated at central fold, address leaf with repaired fold separation just touching G of Washington's frank, seal tear, light browning, minor marginal wear.

Manuscript letter, 1/2 page (7 1/2 x 6 in.; 192 x 152 mm) on a bifolium, body of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Camp near Potts Grove, 24 September 1777, integral address leaf, reception docket, wax seal intact; fresh and fine.

Autograph letter, 2 1/4 pages (9 1/2 x 7 3/4 in.; 242 x 198 mm) on a bifolium, "Camp near Pots Grove 24th Sepr . [1777], 1/2 after Seven O’clock," autograph postscript signed with initials ("G.W—n"), integral autograph address leaf with Washington's franking signature, reception docket; a little browning, some fold separations and repairs, one bisecting the to of Washington's frank.

Manuscript letter, one page (8 7/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 228 x 182 mm) on a bifolium, body of the letter in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison, "Camp 4 Miles from Pots Grove," 25 September 1777, integral address leaf with Washington's franking signature, reception docket; very light browning, some fold separations and repairs.

"I … urge your unremitted diligence to join me, as early as possible, assuring you, that your aid is extremely wanted and cannot arrive too soon … as we are in a most disaffected Country." In the wake of Washington's defeat by Howe at Brandywine eleven days earlier (and the even more recent Paoli Massacre suffered by Anthony Wayne), Washington maintains steady communications with the man leading reinforcements as he and Sir William Howe spar for position around Philadelphia.

In the first letter of the series, he entreats McDougall to hurry his reinforcements from New York, directing him on the best route of march: "I wrote you on Friday last requesting your earliest arrival with the Troops under your command to join me. This I must repeat, and have sent an Officer on purpose to deliver my Letter, to whom I refer you for the particulars of our Situation & that of the Enemy at this Time. I shall only observe respecting them, that the main body of their Army lay last night, near French Creek Bridge about Four Miles from Schuylkill on the West side. Their unvaried Object has been & it seems still to be pursued, to get above us & to turn on our right Flank. We are on the East side the River and advance as they do, on the Common Road from Philadelphia to Reading, Twenty Eight miles from the Former. From the present complexion of Affairs, you should proceed on the most direct Rout leading to Pot’s Grove, Nine miles above this place; but I wish you, as soon as you approach the Delaware to advise me by Express, still continuing the Rout I have mentioned, till you hear from me in Answer to your Letter, when you will be directed to proceed as circumstances require. I shall not add more, than to urge your unremitted diligence to join me, as early as possible, assuring you, that your aid is extremely wanted and cannot arrive too soon. You will write me a Line by the return of the Officer."

Two days later, Washington expresses his satisfaction with McDougall's progress, "I am pleased to find by yours from Coryells Ferry that you are so near me. The Army will fall down to Night to a well known place called the Trap 24 Miles from Philada. Tomorrow we shall proceed further down towards Philada." That same evening, Washington wrote again to McDougall after receiving new intelligence, changing his orders and urging caution: "Since I have seen Captn Faulkner, and learnt your Situation from him, & compar’d it with that of the Enemy, I have become exceedingly uneasy least they should attempt to Interrupt your March, which I think they can, and surely will do, if they have any good advice of your approach—& of this I have no doubt, as we are in a most disaffected Country. I have therefore, notwithstanding the two Expresses sent to you by me, to day, and notwithstanding my requesting Lord Stirling to send an Officer to you with an Acct of ours, & the Enemys Situation since, thought it advisable to send the bearer Captn Dunn with this Letter expressing my uneasiness on your Acct and to request you to strike up the Country without getting nearer to the Enemy (who lay between the Schuylkill & the Reading Road & as some say part of them at a Mr Bonners upon the Reading Road) and come into the Skippack Road at one Gabriel Shulers or even above; as you can always fall down with safety without exposing...