Procuring supplies for the siege of Yorktown - photo 1
Procuring supplies for the siege of Yorktown - photo 2

Procuring supplies for the siege of Yorktown

Lot 135
27.06.2024 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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$ 10 710
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1236366
Lot 135 | Procuring supplies for the siege of Yorktown
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
NELSON, Thomas, Jr. (1738-1789). Letter signed ("Thos Nelson Jr") as Governor of Virginia to Lieutenant Governor David Jameson, Williamsburg, 13 September 1781.

One page, 153 x 190mm (sight), (light toning, docketed on the verso with a small ownership stamp). Matted and framed with an engraved portrait.

Written the day before George Washington's arrival in Williamsburg, Nelson works to secure critical supplies for the French and American armies converging on Yorktown. While commanding the Virginia militia attached to General Steuben's command, Nelson reports "a scarcity of Salt in Camp, and from the great consumption of fresh meat a large quantity will be required. I must therefore beg that you will give attention to this matter and procure as much as you can...the two Armies remain in the same Situation as when I last wrote". In early September 1781, the Continental forces in Virginia were lacking many critical supplies, including flour and salt. This issue was well-known to Washington during his march southwards towards Williamsburg, as he wrote to the Governor of Maryland, Thomas Sim Lee, on 11 September: "Great attention is necessary to be given to the article of Supplies. I am just informed below [further south] that the Army is in distress at this moment for want of Provisions, particularly flour...give every [unit] the most expeditious relief on this head as is in your power..." (Pyne, Frederick. The War of the American Revolution: Day by Day, Volume Two. Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, 2009.) The first American movements against the British lines at Yorktown would begin shortly after this letter, resulting in the siege and surrender of Cornwallis's forces on October 18th. Provenance: Collection of David McNeeley Stauffer, (sold by his widow, Parke Bernet, 25-26 October 1938, lot 187) – Christie's, New York, 14 May 1985, lot 77 – Arthur J. Stegall, Jr. Collection.
Artist:Thomas Nelson II (1738 - 1789)
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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13.06.2024 – 27.06.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
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