Benjamin Lincoln Papers, 1635-1964 » 1777–1778 [read more]
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.
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.
DIGITIZED COLLECTIONS
Crowdsourced Transcription Project
Reel 2, Box 3, Folder 9, 26-31 December 1778
Reel 2, Box 3, Folder 7, 1-15 December 1778
Reel 2, Box 3, Folder 8, 16-25 December 1778
