Lachlan McIntosh autograph letter signed ("Lachn. McIntosh"). One page of a bifolium, 8" x 12.5", "Fort Laurens upon Muskingum River", [Ohio]; December 7, 1778. With integral address sheet with free frank. Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh writes from the Pennsylvania frontier to inform a fellow officer he has constructed Fort Laurens to aid in the coming assault against Fort Detroit. Letter from McIntosh to the lieutenant or commanding officer (unidentified) of Berkeley County, Virginia, providing an update on his activities on the Pennsylvania frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He writes, in full: "I have advanced thus far into the Indian Country, and built a Good large stockade Fort here with Barracks to contain two hundred men, or more where they can be had, to make excursions to any of the Hostile Towns who will dare offend and Insult us, which I hope will Secure the peace of our Frontiers, in this quarter at least. But unhappily the Short Engagements of the militia prevented my Proceeding any further, and Disapointed [sic] all my other Schemes, their times were near out, and I could not prevail upon them to remain longer, which Shows the necessity of making their term of Service hereafter on Such an Expedition as this, and Such a distance, Six months from the time they Rendevous [sic] at Fort McIntosh, otherwise it will be needless trouble to the People, and expense to the Public which I expect will be considered by your State and the Lieutenants of each County. I wrote to you the 30th October for Some men to relieve those now here, but as I find nothing more can be done this winter, I must request you to put a stop to their march at this time, only to have them ready when I shall require them in the Spring, which I expect to do, and inform you of in time. Signed, "Lachn. McIntosh". Scottish-born Lachlan McIntosh (1725-1806) came to live in George with his family and 100 other Scottish settlers in 1736. Growing up under the turmoil of nearby clashes with Spanish Florida and the dangers of frontier life, McIntosh spent some time in an orphanage before traveling to Fort Frederica as a young military cadet. McIntosh quickly established himself as a leader of the Independence movement in Georgia, and was commissioned as a colonel in the George Militia in January 1776. He raised the 1st George Regiment as part of the defense of Savannah and played a key role in turning the British assault at the Battle of the Rice Boats in the Savannah River on March 2-3, 1776. McIntosh was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army and charged with the defense of Georgia's southern flank. In 1777, McIntosh became embroiled in a dispute with Button Gwinnett (1735-1777), a signer of the Declaration of Independence. McIntosh and Gwinnett were bitter rivals on both the military and political stages, the actions of which ultimately led to a dueling challenge, ending with Gwinnett's death. Fearing repercussions from Gwinnett's allies, Washington ordered McIntosh to report to the Continental Army at Valley Forge, where he was tasked with commanding several North Carolina regiments. In May 1778, McIntosh was given command of the Western Department of the Continental Army, headquartered at Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. During this time, he established several new forts, including Fort Laurens and Fort McIntosh (to which he refers in this letter), to prepare for an attack on British forces at Fort Detroit. Most of the letter relates to McIntosh's problems relating to troop strength due to the enlistment periods of many of his troops expiring. Unfortunately, the expedition against Fort Detroit was a failure, and troops were forced to backtrack before reaching their destination. McIntosh was replaced in March 1779, whereupon Washington ordered him to return to the south in defense of George and South Carolina. When Charleston fell to the British on May 12, 1780, McIntosh was among those taken prisoner and held until his exchange in February 1782. McIntosh was inducted as one of the original members of the Society of Cincinnati. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1784, but did not attend, and went on to serve as commissioner to the southern Native American tribes. An interesting letter from a major American political and military leader, accompanied by an engraving of McIntosh by Bernard Francis Hoppner Meyer (1811-1888). References: Louise Phelps Kellogg, Frontier Advance on the Upper Ohio, 1778-1779, pages 183-184 (this letter). Condition: Small area of paper loss to blank portion of address leaf from seal removal upon opening. 2.75" separation along fold on address leaf that does not touch any text. Light edgewear with a few stray pinholes. Small dampstain, with scattered soiling throughout. Minor area of dried adhesive residue at bottom left margin recto, presumably indicating prior mounting. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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