Free Franks and Related Covers continued...

A FINE AND RARE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO "MAD" ANTHONY WAYNE AT TICONDEROGA IN APRIL 1777.

According to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission website: "In the spring of 1776 Wayne and his battalion went with the Pennsylvania brigade to reinforce the Canadian expedition, through which Congress had hoped to gain another colony for the American cause. By his personal bravery and leadership Wayne held his troops together to cover the retreat of the American army after the defeat at Three Rivers on the St. Lawrence. Congress abandoned the effort to win Canada, and Wayne was placed in command of Fort Ticonderoga. Here he had for the first time the thankless task of maintaining discipline among troops from various states who were disinclined to follow the orders of a Pennsylvania commander. Commanding Fort Ticonderoga was not as enjoyable as his childhood game of fighting for it. In February, 1777, he was made a brigadier general, and in April he left Ticonderoga to join Washington at Morristown, New Jersey, and take command of the Pennsylvania Line." (www.phmc.state.pa.us/ppet/wayne/page2.asp?secid=31). The cover offered here contained Washington's orders to depart Fort Ticonderoga and return to Pennsylvania. (Image)

A FINE COVER FRANKED AND SENT BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO "MAD" ANTHONY WAYNE IN NOVEMBER 1778.

In November-December 1778, Washington moved his army to the second Middlebrook encampment. Brigadier-General Wayne was marching to King's Ferry at the time this cover was sent from Washington's camp. (Image)

FINE APPEARANCE. FRANKED BY COMMANDING GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON AND SENT TO "MAD" ANTHONY WAYNE IN JULY 1779 JUST TEN DAYS BEFORE HIS LEGENDARY EXPLOITS AT STONY POINT.

On July 15, 1779, General "Mad" Anthony Wayne led a nighttime assault on the British fort at Stony Point on the Hudson River. The Americans took the fort, which gave an important boost to morale at a low point in the war. Congress awarded him a medal for the victory, and in November 1779 the North Carolina General Assembly honored Brigadier-General Wayne with a county in his name. (Image)

VERY FINE. A RARE GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK SENT AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO "MAD" ANTHONY WAYNE IN NOVEMBER 1779.

In November 1779 Washington's army set up camp at Morristown N.J. and braced themselves for an unusually severe winter. The shortage of supplies, including blankets, prompted Washington to inform Congress, "Nothing can be more injurious or discouraging, than our having only four thousand nine hundred Blankets to distribute to the whole Army, and so many other Articles in but little better proportion." (www.revwar75.com/library/rees/blanketts.htm).

At this time, "Mad" Anthony Wayne was enjoying widespread popularity after his July 1779 victory at Stony Point. In November 1779 the North Carolina General Assembly honored Brigadier-General Wayne with a county in his name. (Image)

VERY FINE. A WONDERFULLY BOLD FRANKING SIGNATURE BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL WILLIAM IRVINE AT FORT PITT.

William Irvine was promoted to Brigadier-General on May 12, 1779. On March 8, 1782, upon Washington's recommendation, Irvine was given command of Fort Pitt until the end of the war. (Image)

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE WASHINGTON FRANK AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL IRVINE.

William Irvine was promoted to Brigadier-General on May 12, 1779. He was probably in Philadelphia periodically before taking command of Fort Pitt in March 1782. (Image)

FINE. A RARE COVER FRANKED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL IRVINE ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER.

William Irvine was promoted to Brigadier-General on May 12, 1779. On March 8, 1782, upon Washington’s recommendation, Irvine was given command of Fort Pitt until the end of the war. (Image)