Brewster, Caleb (1747-1827) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01954 Author/Creator: Brewster, Caleb (1747-1827) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 February 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 30.7 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Recounts and describes a gunboat fight with an enemy ship, which they boarded.
Brewster was a whaler and a member of the Culper spy ring. He commanded a fleet of whale boats operating from the Connecticut shore against British and Tory shipping on Long Island Sound. Brewster made numerous trips with his Whaleboat Navy, sailing into Long Island Sound to attack British shipping and across to Setauket, New York to bring messages back for Major Benjamin Tallmadge to deliver to General Washington.
[draft]
Springfield Febry 26 1783
Sir
I take the liberty to Enform the general that I have sow [sic] far Recovered of my Wound that I have bin Abil to go on another Cruse on the 20th Instant I Embarked on bord Capt Ammis hubbils sloop with forty five Continental soldiers detach by Major Tallmudge under Lt Rhea and Lt holling Added to my Detachment I [profd a privet tour] from New york came up with her of Milford and Engnd. her took her With out the loss of Either one Man killed or Wounded on my part She w[text loss] [Commanded] by Capt Jonson Mountc[text loss]un Carrage guns and four Swa[text loss] Jonson was killed and two others mortally Wounded one of them is since Dead we Recevd a full broid [sic] side from her which did us considerable dammage in our spurs [strikeout] Riggin and Sails before she could bring her other [broid] side to bair We Run her along side and boarded her I order the Soldiers to keep up a Constant fire which drove them from ther Quartors we unfortinutely was a few ours to soon as she was to take in a Carg [sic] of oxen and other produce that night in Return for a Cargo of goods [2] Which she landed About ten days before to the Amount of ten thouss pound her [Billet] was six six pounders four two pounders and one double fortified three pounder and four [Carag Swavils] [sic] [struck: and twenty] three men.
With Respt I Remain
your Most obedient
Servt. Caleb Bewster
Majr. General Knox
[docket]
F Lt Brewster
26 Feby 1783.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.