William North A.L.S., 7 Mile Stone, York Island : to Colonel [Benjamin] Walker, Utica, 3 October, [1797?]
1797
MSS L1971.7 M MB
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Title
William North A.L.S., 7 Mile Stone, York Island : to Colonel [Benjamin] Walker, Utica, 3 October, [1797?]
Published
York Island [1797?]
Description
[4] p. ; 24 cm. (4to)
Call Number
MSS L1971.7 M MB
Note
Complete date of letter surmised from a variety of factors: Steuben, who died in 1794, was buried in an unmarked grave, but at some later time, his remains were moved to make room for a roadway over the original burial site. Walker moved from New York City to Utica in 1797; Hamilton's boards of officers was at work by 1798.
Letter begins with friendly concern for Walker's health and with the suggestion that he and his wife move to part of North's farm, a move of mutual advantage to both families: "You know your own situation, & if you give up your agency, you will have the less reason for remaining where you are. To go to V Steuben you can't."
"Your ideas respecting the removal of our dear friends [Steuben's] remains are right. But you will not hide from me the place where you lay him. I shall wish, & I will visit & kiss the sod that covers the man who was my father & my friend."
"Hamilton intends to keep me in New York this winter[.] He is to set different boards of officers to compose a complete system for the army[.] He takes the tactics; Washington & other cavalry officers, the cavalry instructions, artillery officers, fortification &c - myself - all the returns forms, &c &c of every detachment."
"I shall take the first honorable occasion (if we are not disbanded) to quit this thing [the army]."
"As to the militia office I proposed to you - your delicacy need be under no alarm. No body evr thought you would do it.... It was a duty I thought I owed to the state."
North and Walker had both served as aides-de-camp of Steuben during the Revolution
Page [4] is address leaf
Digital image available.
Letter begins with friendly concern for Walker's health and with the suggestion that he and his wife move to part of North's farm, a move of mutual advantage to both families: "You know your own situation, & if you give up your agency, you will have the less reason for remaining where you are. To go to V Steuben you can't."
"Your ideas respecting the removal of our dear friends [Steuben's] remains are right. But you will not hide from me the place where you lay him. I shall wish, & I will visit & kiss the sod that covers the man who was my father & my friend."
"Hamilton intends to keep me in New York this winter[.] He is to set different boards of officers to compose a complete system for the army[.] He takes the tactics; Washington & other cavalry officers, the cavalry instructions, artillery officers, fortification &c - myself - all the returns forms, &c &c of every detachment."
"I shall take the first honorable occasion (if we are not disbanded) to quit this thing [the army]."
"As to the militia office I proposed to you - your delicacy need be under no alarm. No body evr thought you would do it.... It was a duty I thought I owed to the state."
North and Walker had both served as aides-de-camp of Steuben during the Revolution
Page [4] is address leaf
Digital image available.
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