In this single page ALS, Virginia and South Carolina Revolutionary War Captain WILLIAM RAMBLIN WITHERS writes that he “fought the battles of our beloved country from the fall of ’74 to the peace of ’83.” He mentions having dinner with Gen. Nathaniel Greene and expresses admiration for George Washington and Andrew Jackson.
Jefferson P. Office 3 Janry. 1830
William R. Withers writes to his Honorable and much respected friend (unnamed), 7 ¾ x 9 ½, single page.
“Your kind favour of the 26 Decr last is now before me. I thank you for your friendly exertions in the Cause of One who fought the Battles of Our Beloved Country from the fall of 74 until the peace of 83, which gave you the honb seat you now hold under the Controls of the Greatest Warrior which the U.S. can boast of (Genl. Washington Excepted). Mr. Pearce has wisely advised me to Repair to Washington if my health will admit to it & gives his honest & just Reasons for the same. Give my friendship to him. Tell him the Last Dinner I ever eat in the Camp of the U States was at Genl, Greens table in So. Carolina & that his Aid at the Genl Request gave to me the following writings
“Lieut. Wm. R. Withers has permission of Majr. Genl. Nathaniel Greene to Return to Va. & there Remain till Call’d for to his command in So. Carolina
“Given under my hand this day of Decr. 1782
“John Pierce Jr. Aide camp to Majr. G. Green
“This Colo. Pierce I suppose to be the aid to G. Green. The next morning after the date of My furlow Colo. Pierce came to my quarters requesting as I was going to Va to Receive & Carry some letters for him, which I accepted of One of which was addressed to Colo. Otho Williams which letters I strove to forward as Directed & hope they were duly Rec’d. Show this to Col. Pierce & ask him if he is the son of my former & friendly acquaintance. I think I shall avail myself of his advice & Repair to Washington.
“Please to answer this as soon as your convenience will admit.
“Yr. friend & fellow Citizen of 1776
“Wm. R. Withers
“God Save the Union & Jackson”
Withers enlisted in a Battalion of State Troops in 1775 in Virginia in a company commanded by Captain William Pickett and served at Norfolk Virginia until 1776. He later enlisted in Captain Peter Grant’s Company until being discharged at Valley Forge in 1777 after being promoted to Lieutenant in a company raised in Virginia for defense of the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Withers served until discharged at Fort Pitt by Gen. Lachlan McIntosh and returned to Virginia. A few months later he went to South Carolina, serving there until the British left Charles Town. He also served in the Battles of Long Bridge and Norfolk.
Folds, toning, else very good.
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