Davies, William, Revolutionary War-date Letter Signed as Virginia's Secretary of War, one page, 8 x 6¼ inches, War Office, Aug. 21, 1782. With orders to the Lieutenant or Commanding Officer of Berkley: "Since writing you yesterday Government have directed that a large body of Militia be held in immediate readiness to march to the relief of Fort Pitt in case it should be invested; You will therefore be pleased to direct one hundred & seventy five men of your County to be warned out to hold themselves in perfect readiness for that purpose, properly Officer'd & accoutred & with ten days provision on hand…." Letter is very good with one fold split; integral address leaf is fragile, with several splits.
Fort Pitt was headquarters of the Western Department and the gateway to the frontier. It had been the scene of conflict between the British and the French in the French and Indian War and remained a scene of conflict between the Americans and the British in the Revolution. To exacerbate matters, in March 1782, 160 militia members out of Fort Pitt marched to the outskirts of Goschochking and massacred 96 Indians, many of them converts of the Moravians, and many of them women and children. Protection for the Fort had to be increased in preparation for the expected revenge attack.
Estimated Value $600 - 800
Colonial and Revolutionary America
