PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT

PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT
(1749 - 1831) Continental Army brigadier general, commanded the 4th Battalion of the New York Continental Infantry, the 2nd New York Regiment, and served on Washington's staff. He fought at Saratoga, was with the army at Valley Forge, and took part in the Sullivan Expedition. Fine content war-date A.L.S. 'Philip Cortlandt L Col, ' 1p. 8.5 x 6 in., Ticonderoga, July 23, 1776 to an unidentified recipient. In full: 'I herewith send you a copy of a letter from Ph. V. Rensselaer Esqr to Major General Gates the purpose of which you will please to observe. As the articles therein mentioned are much wanting and I know not anything of their being sent to this place as Capt. Dow informs me he knows nothing about them and must inform you it is the Generals Express Orders that they be forwarded which you will please to do immediately.' Some toning, chipped at corners, and uneven margins. Letter remains very legible and in otherwise very good condition. In May 1776, Philip Van Rensselaer was appointed storekeeper by Gen. Philip Schuyler and placed in charge of ordnance and other important military supplies. Van Cortlandt would be present at Burgoyne's surrender the following year, in 1777. Written just 19 days after independence was declared, this letter reveals the need for supplies for the American troops at Fort Ticonderoga, less than a month after Lexington and Concord.