The BATTLE LETTER of SARATOGA, 1777 Extremely... Lot 68

The BATTLE LETTER of SARATOGA, 1777 Extremely rare autograph letter signed by Richard BACHE (1737-1811), Second Postmaster General of the United States of America and son-in-law of Benjamin Franklin, dated October 15, 1777, written from the Continental Army camp during the Philadelphia campaign, addressed to his wife Sarah Franklin-Bache at Summer Seat near Trenton, announcing the victory of Saratoga. 2 pages in-8 (small missing). The unpublished letter sent by Richard Bache, second postmaster general of the United States of America to his wife, the daughter of Benkamin Franklin, announcing the victory of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War on October 15, 1777. On the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 1777, Richard Bache was installed in the farm of Benjamin Fuller, located in Towamencin, along the North Wales road, three-quarters of a mile from the headquarters of George Washington, based on the farm of Frederick Wampole. Having been resting on this farm for three days, Bache was awaiting orders from General John Mease (1746-1826), Intendant of the Continental Army, to return to the road. A military dispatch brought major news, heralding a turning point in the military campaign. In his letter to his wife, Richard Bache instantly reproduced part of the contents of this military dispatch received for General Washington. It announces the rout of the British troops commanded by General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York. Bache writes that on October 7, in the course of a battle, General Gates and the Continental Army captured more than two hundred prisoners, three hundred and thirty tents, nine pieces of brass cannon from six to twelve pounds, and caused a large number of deaths and three hundred wounded. General Gates sent some of his troops in pursuit of the army of English General Burgoyne, who was on the run, hoping to achieve a great victory in this part of the United States. Bache said that Generals Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) and Benedict Arnold (1741-1801)