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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Roxburgh, Alexander (fl. 1782-1800) to William Smallwood

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06508.05 Author/Creator: Roxburgh, Alexander (fl. 1782-1800) Place Written: South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 May 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 22.7 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Written near Bacon's Bridge, possibly near Dorchester, South Carolina. Major Roxburgh informs General Smallwood that his company remains near Bacon's Bridge in an inactive state. Reports that the British "continue in the same situation as when I last wrote you with this difference that a detachment of about eleven hundred embarked three weeks ago for Jamaica." Relates that the British frequently send out what he calls parties of horse, and this action distresses local inhabitants. Mentions Captain Armstrong. Reports that General Wayne (possibly Anthony Wayne) detached Colonel White and part of Colonel Pope's Regiment to surprise the British near Savannah, Georgia. Mentions Generals Lesly and Green (possibly Nathanael Greene). Declares "Our ... numbers do duty with nothing but a bad blanket wrap'd round them, though we will have them cloathed in a few weeks, the Provision we draw is intolerable the Beef mere Carion." Encloses a list of men (not included), hoping to receive their allowance. States that these men will serve for three years and are excellent fellows. In a post script, requests that Smallwood send the allowance, as he is in need of money.

Smallwood, William, 1732-1792
Roxburgh, Alexander, fl. 1782-1800
Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

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