Pair of Autograph Letters Signed as a Major-General of the Northern Department June 26, 1777 and June 29, 1777 to Major Christopher Peter Yates, Saratoga and Albany - giving orders a week before the Siege of Ticonderoga

No Binding. Good. two letters, two pages, folio, paper tanned, some staining, old folds, some nicks and chips at edges, with some minor loss, separations at fold joints, else in good, legible condition. Inscribed on laid paper water-marked "OCR" a mark not found in Gravell. This pair of letters from General Philip Schuyler to Major Yates contains orders for the troops, including preparations, and various actions to be undertaken in the field, issued in late June the week before the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga the first week of July 1777. The 1777 Siege of Fort Ticonderoga occurred between July second and sixth 1777, near the southern end of Lake Champlain in the state of New York. Lieutenant General John Burgoyne's 8,000-man army occupied high ground above the fort, and nearly surrounded the defenses. These movements forced the occupying Continental Army, an under-strength force of 3,000 under the command of General Arthur St. Clair, to withdraw from Ticonderoga and the surrounding defenses. Some gunfire was exchanged, and there were some casualties, but there was no formal siege and no pitched battle. Burgoyne's army occupied Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, the extensive fortifications on the Vermont side of the lake, without opposition on 6 July. Advance units pursued the retreating Americans. The uncontested surrender of Ticonderoga caused an uproar in the American public and in its military circles, as Ticonderoga was widely believed to be virtually impregnable, and a vital point of defense. General St. Clair and his superior, General Philip Schuyler, were vilified by Congress. Both were eventually exonerated in courts martial, but their careers were adversely affected. Schuyler had already lost his command to Horatio Gates by the time of the court martial, and St. Clair held no more field commands for the remainder of the war. Saratoga [June] 26, 1777 "Sir, As a body of the Enemy are encamped at Gilliland's creek on Lake Champlain, from whence they will probably send parties to harass us, I entreat you to keep a good Look out to send scouts continually Distance to the West and North West of your Garrison to make discoveries, and lest an attempt should be made to burn our vessels on Lake George I have ordered Commodore Wynkoop to get the guns in the vessel already launched that he may be in a condition of Defence. Please to send the Letter to General St. Clair by the first Boat, together with the Horses which the Bearer will deliver you to be forwarded to General Fermois. I am sir Your most obedient Humble servant Ph. Schuyler" Albany June 29, 1777 "Sir, The Necessity of forwarding any more Batteaus or provisions to Tyconderoga for the present being superseded you will please to desist from sending any until further orders from General St. Clair or me. Cause all the spades, shovels, axes & pick-axes to be helved and make as many cartridges as you possibly can - Continue to keep out scouts to the westward as to intersect the Road from Jesups towards Crown Point. I am Sir Your very humble Servant Ph Schuyler" Philip John Schuyler was born into the prominent family of New Yo (Inventory #: 030103)