Historic American Revolutionary War Handwritten Letter (ALS) dated June 30, 1780 | Letter written by Continental Army Colonel Edward Russel to Captain Dayton concerning men of Dayton's Company wanting to leave their assignments, and the additional reported difficulty of recruiting replacement soldiers ["Able Bodied Men are Called for..."] | Explains the paradox of drafting ['draughted'] able bodied men who are poor, or those that are "able in purse . . . but unable to do any service." | Provides insight into the drafting of men to serve as soldiers in Revolutionary War, and the ability of a soldier to hire his own replacement (a unique feature of the American Revolution). Approx. Size: 9.5" H x 7.25" W | Hand Signed by Colonel Russel | Brown ink on laid paper.NotesColonel Edward Russell, a son of Mr. John Russell, one of the leading public men in his time, was a captain in Colonel Douglass’ regiment, in 1776, and the same year became a major in General Wooster’s command. In 1778 he received the rank of colonel and did much service in the war. HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY, 1897, VOLUME II, Chapter I, The Town of Branford, J.L. Rockey.

9.5 x 7.25 in