Washington, George, Partly-printed Document Signed ("G:o Washington") as General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America, one page, 13 x 8 inches, Head-Quarters, June 15, 1783. Military discharge for "Johnson Cook Serjeant in the 1st Connecticut Regiment, having faithfully served the United States from the 30th of Jany. 1777 and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army." Countersigned by Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (1740-1809) who was Washington's secretary. Also signed by Zebulon Butler ("Zeb:n Butler Col."), who signed that Cook "has been honored with the Badge of Merit for Six Years faithful Service." On the verso is a printed statement, signed in print by Washington, that this certificate should be considered a furlough, rather than a discharge, until the Treaty of Peace was ratified; this occured on January 14, 1784. The document is toned with fold wear and several tiny pin holes, not affecting Washington's large, bold signature.
Zebulon Butler (1731-95) was Lt. Col. of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment. He commanded the garrison of Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley. He is remembered for his defeat on June 3, 1778, at the Battle of Wyoming (Pennsylvania) in which he lost 340 men while attacking a superior force of some 570 Loyalists and Iroquois Indians under the command of Loyalist Colonel John Butler (no relation to Zebulon). John Butler, who was founder of Butler's Rangers, reported that 227 scalps were taken. The battle is often referred to as the Wyoming Valley Massacre.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000
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