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VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING REVOLUTIONARY WAR-PERIOD LETTER SENT THRU THE MAILS TO THE AIDE-DE-CAMP OF GENERAL HORATIO GATES AT FORT TICONDEROGA, IN CARE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON'S AIDE-DE-CAMP, TENCH TILGHMAN.
This fascinating 2-1/2 page letter was written by William Tilghman at 20 years of age, who later served as Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and was one of the "midnight judges" appointed by President Adams to the Third Circuit Court in 1801. He was the grandson of Tench Francis and the brother of Tench Tilghman, a Revolutionary War soldier who served as an aide-de-camp to General Washington at Valley Forge. Tench Tilghman also served as secretary and treasurer to the Continental Congress in 1775. The letter begins with favorable mention of the promotion of James Wilkinson and laments the vacant social scene of Philadelphia (his comments are made weeks after the Declaration of Independence). Tilghman continues with a direct reference to General Burgoyne's movements and potential to join forces with General Howe: "But it is feared that our Army has suffered almost too much from sickness and the rigors of the last campaign. If you can surmount these difficulties, by your activity and courage, your honor will be immortal. Much is expected from Genl. Gates, and he seems to be looked up to, to retrieve the desperate Affairs of Canada." The writer then gives a heartfelt commentary on war and peace: "But you and I, my Friend, shall be laid low, before the tender frame of the Infant States, can recover from those violent convulsions that are to usher them into Being." Tilghman states that he is giving this letter to Tench Coxe (a relative) "who will forward it by the first opportunity." Based on this remark, the forwarding notation on the address panel was probably written by Tench Coxe.
According to http://www.2ndpa-43rdfoot.com/history.html: "The colonel of the 13th, 23-year-old Walter Stewart, became the Second's [Second Pennsylvania Regiment's] new commander. The young officer, nicknamed 'The Irish Beauty' by the ladies of Philadelphia, was a close friend of Anthony Wayne's and well acquainted with Washington as well. He was an able leader with a reputation of taking care of the welfare of his men. Diarist Joseph Plumb Martin described him as 'an excellent officer, much beloved and respected by the troops of the Line he belonged to.'" (Image)
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