William Alexander, Lord Stirling autograph letter signed ("Stirling"). One page, 7.5" x 11.5", Elizabeth Town, [New Jersey]; October 28, 1778. Addressed to an unknown recipient while Stirling was major general, he discusses the production of military supplies, his belief that New York City would be evacuated in the near future, and his intention to furnish the recipient with additional men soon. Lord Stirling, Major General in the Continental Army, discusses the production of military supplies while encamped near New York City. It reads, in part: "I have received your letter of the 26th and it gives me great Satisfaction to find you are going on so well as you do. I think it will be of very great importance to have the furnace in blast next Summer and that Early. The Article of Shot will be in very great demand for privateers & other Ships of War, especially if New York should be Evacuated which I verily believe will soon be the Case, you have mentioned several very Strong Objections to it, but I think I can get over them all and to very great advantage. In the course of the month I believe I shall be Able to furnish you with 50 or 60 Men if Necessary and furnish them with provisions, and perhaps be able to help you with regard to the rest of your provisions. I would have you therefore to keep your Miners Closely at Work and increase their numbers. I would not by any means be conserned [sic] in the Working of forges we shall have Irons enough in the fire. As soon as you are in Cash I would have you pay Mr. Willson all that is due to him..." Signed, "Stirling." Major General William Alexander, Lord Stirling (1726-1783), had been ordered to take command of the troops stationed in New Jersey in October 1778. Stirling used Elizabethtown as his base to monitor the British forces in New York City throughout the winter of 1778 and raise additional militia troops to aid in the defense of the state. In December 1778, General Washington illustrated his great trust in Stirling by placing him in command of the Continental Army until February 1779, while Washington met with Congress in Philadelphia to discuss plans for the following year's campaigns. He died of illness in January 1783, just months before the end of the war. The letter is accompanied by a typed transcription and a vignette engraving of Stirling in uniform by G. R. Hall. Condition: Some repairs to folds on verso. Dried adhesive residue to verso presumably indicating previous mounting. 1" closed tear along right edge. A few scattered pinholes. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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