William Barton letters

William Barton letters

1777-1779

14 items ; 21-33 cm. (in slipcase)

MSS L1997F431.1-14 M [Bound]

Fourteen letters written by Lieutenant William Barton to his family describing military events at Germantown, Whitemarsh, and Valley Forge, as well as camp life, homesickness, illness, clothing shortages, prisoner exchanges, and later service during Sullivan’s campaign. The letters provide a sustained first-person account of how a Continental officer experienced the campaigns and hardships that followed the British capture of Philadelphia.

Letters are addressed to Barton's father, Gilbert Barton, and other family members at Allentown, N.J.
Letters are contained in a blue and buff leather clamshell case custom made by Handbridge Bindery.
Several mention military events relating to Germantown, Valley Forge, the French fleet, prisoner exchanges, and Sullivan's campaign against the Iroquois, including the death of Capt. Davis; others describe camp life which "does not very well agree with me", homesickness, clothing and other supply needs
Also included is a letter from Barton's friend Jno. Blair to Gilbert Barton, 24 Feb. 1778, [#5] advising that his son is unwell and "beggs that you would speak to Colo. Brearely [David Brearley] to write to Major [John] Conway to give him leave to go home."
Barton, Blair, and Brearley were original members of the Society of the Cincinnati
Digitized images available.

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