Benjamin Lincoln Papers, 1635-1964 » 1777–1778  

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This reel consists of letters and other documents detailing Lincoln's commands under Washington in New Jersey and under Schuyler and Gates during the Saratoga campaign, his year of inaction as a war casualty, and his initial months as commander of the Southern Army. Most of the documents on this reel are military reports, orders, and requests about logistics, intelligence, discipline, tactics, prisoners, the mustering of troops, and the treatment of civilians. The correspondence includes frequent official weekly and monthly returns from the various unit commanders serving under Lincoln. Approximately one-fourth of the documents on this reel cover the period when Lincoln served with Washington, including numerous exchanges between the two men. The reel also contains some correspondence between Lincoln and Generals Nathanael Greene, Israel Putnam, and Lord Stirling. A bound volume (volume 2) of general and division orders issued from Lincoln's several headquarters in New Jersey covers the period between April 1 and July 4, 1777. Lincoln's duties during the Saratoga campaign are reflected in a large number of documents that comprise about one-third of this reel. This correspondence reveals Lincoln's support of General Stark's victory at Bennington, with the subsequent problem of captured prisoners; his proposal to cut Burgoyne's supply lines to Canada, which was effected under Lincoln's direction; his constant pleas for the mustering of troops and supplies by the Massachusetts Bay Council; and finally his support of General Gates at Stillwater and Bemis Heights. The reel contains only a few letters from family and friends during the year Lincoln was recuperating from his leg wound, but the papers are more substantial beginning with his appointment as commander of the Southern Army in September 1778. The last section of the reel covers Lincoln's trip to Charleston, his projected campaign against St. Augustine, his taking over of command from General Robert Howe, and finally his problems in raising troops and supplying his new army. All of these documents are communications received by Lincoln from individuals such as President Lowndes of South Carolina, General Robert Howe, Henry Laurens and the Continental Congress, and Lincoln's unit and administrative commanders. This reel contains no letters or orders from Lincoln himself during this period. Scattered throughout the reel are numerous letters detailing the family responsibilities Lincoln entrusted to his son, Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. This correspondence describes the many hardships and problems faced by the family. Included are several letters from Benjamin Lincoln, Jr., to family friend and confidant Dr. Joshua Barker. Finally, a few documents deal with the estate of Lincoln's deceased brother, Bela.