Revolutionary War


Revolutionary War Arnold Family Owned c.1783 Book with George Washington Association








Some Account of the Life and Gospel Labours of William Reckitt. Joseph Crukshank, Philadelphia, 1783. First American edition, following the London first of 1776. James Gough's Memoirs, edited by his brother John Gough, have a separate title-page. 4.25" x 7". Worn, rubbed brown leather with raised bands, commensurate with age. Original end papers present. Tightly bound. Fascinating history of ownership bearing both the bookplate of "Thomas Arnold" on the interior and "Benjamin Arnold, North Providence" neatly scripted in several locations on the end papers.








The Arnold family line in Rhode Island can be traced back to very early 1600's leading up to the late 1700's. Thomas Arnold whose bookplate is found on the front paste down of the book was a Captain in Colo. Greene's Regt. Through research we have been able to locate numerous pieces of published correspondence between himself and George Washington.






In Captain Thomas Arnold had been in Colonial Greene's regiment and had the misfortune to lose a leg in the action at Monmouth, "which rendered him unfit for battle" . The Colonial was requesting Arnold receive pay, rations and advantages as if still in the Regiment. The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House. (The battle is also known as the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse).








George Washington's reply to Arnold's battle injury came on July 30, 1779 with his suggestion that he join the Corps of Invalids in Fitzpatrick. Another published correspondence between Thomas Arnold and Washington on this matter is dated May 1, 1781 and is shown in full below:







To George Washington from Thomas Arnold, 1 May 1781:










"Greenwich, R. Island May 1st 1781

Sir









At the battle of Monmouth, on the 28th of June 1778, I was so unfortunate as to loose a leg—I was returned, and drew pay in the regiment until the 1st of November 1779—1 have since had a transference to the corps of Invalid in Boston by Colonel Greene, and joined it the 1st of June last—Soon afterwards, I returned to Rhode Island and at the particular request of Colonel Greene took a command in his regiment, which had but a small number of officers and was reinforced by levies.










The capture of a vessel by the enemy, at the commencement of the War, on board of which I had considerable property made me but little better than on a level with the world—The scanty pittance I had collected since, by my services in the army, was expended during my long and severe sickness in Jersey after my misfortune (no part of which has as yet been refunded) and by my family in my long absence— together with what remained after my first loss.









I have received no pay from the Continent since that for the month of October 1779—and the little prospect of being able to obtain any soon, constrains me to request Your Excellency's permission to be absent from the corps for the space of five months next following, with liberty to go on board a privateer for a cruize or a letter of marque or merchant man for a voyage, within that time.










I beg leave to observe that there are at this time a number of supernumerary officers with the Corps. I am Your Excellency's most Obedient Servant





Thos Arnold





late a Capt. in Colo. Greene's Regt





DLC: Papers of George Washington."








This important little jewel of a book, which still boasts the original boards and end papers, is rich in history from the Revolutionary War. Owned by a soldier who fought and lost his leg in battle who had direct correspondence with General George Washington, this piece allows one almost a time machine into the past!







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