Israel Putnam letter signed ("Israel Putnam M. G."). One page, 7.75" x 11.5", "Head Quarters" [Crosswicks, New Jersey]; January 9, 1776 [1777]. Addressed to "Lieut. Col. [Francis] Gurney" of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. Shortly after the battles of Trenton and Princeton, Major General Israel Putnam orders an officer to push further into New Jersey. "...continue your March by such Routs as you shall find most secret & easy to such Places as you shall learn any Bodies of Tories or others in Arms in behalf of the King. These you will take such effectual Measures to destroy or suppress as your Discretion shall direct..." In a letter that was presumably misdated as 1776, Putnam commands Lt. Col. Gurney to cross into Cranbury, New Jersey and press their advantage in the area. He was acting upon orders from General Washington sent on January 5, 1777 after the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Washington feared their recent victory might prompt retaliation from British forces remaining in the area and informed Putnam, "As we have made two successful Attacks upon the Enemy—by way of surprise—they will be pointed with resentment and if there is any possibillity of retalliateing will Attempt it—You will give out your Strength to be twice as great as it is—Forward on all the Baggage and Scatterd Troops belonging to this division of the Army as soon as may be. You will keep as many Spies out as You will See proper, a number of horsemen in the dress of the Country must be Constantly Kept going backwards & forwards for this purpose." Putnam then transmitted the orders to Gurney in this letter. It reads, in full: "You are to proceed with your Party of 100 Men to Crambury [sic] where you will join & command such of the Militia of that & the Neighbouring Towns as are collected & continue your March by such Routs as you shall find most secret & easy to such Places as you shall learn any Bodies of Tories or others in Arms in behalf of the King. These you will take such effectual Measures to destroy or suppress as your Discretion shall direct, being particularly careful to being off all Cattle, Cloathing [sic] & Stores of every Kind which they have any where collected or concealed. Whatever you learn of Importance you will communicate as early as possible." Signed, "Israel Putnam / M. G." On this same day, Putnam also wrote to Thomas Warton, President of the Council of Safety in Philadelphia, to inform him of their progress. "...The Tories of Monmouth are again in Arms. Col. Gurney marched to Day to suppress them; the Militia of the Neighbourhood of Cranbury are embodied & impatient to join and assist him..." Major General Putnam was a respected hero from the French and Indian War, but his reputation had taken a hit amongst certain members of Congress following the Battle of Long Island. Washington, however, still remained confident in Putnam's abilities, as evidenced here, and he was given command of a wing of the army during their winter encampment. War-dated autographs from Putnam appear infrequently and the content here is exceptional. The letter is accompanied by an engraving of Putnam in uniform published by Johnson, Fry & Co. Reference: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 7, 21 October 1776–5 January 1777, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1997, pages 535–536; Pennsylvania Archives, vol. 5, ed. Samuel Hazard. Philadelphia: Joseph Severns & Co., 1853, page 177. Condition: Separations along several folds repaired on verso with archival tape, one of which crosses signature. Light scattered soiling and foxing. Pencil notation to verso. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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