{"product_id":"1782-lauzun-s-legion-related-revolutionary-war-supply-account-hay-delivered-to-the-legion-camp-and-an-express-sent-to-governor-trumbull","title":"1782 Lauzun’s Legion–Related Revolutionary War Supply Account — Hay Delivered to the “Legion Camp” and an Express Sent to Governor Trumbull","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn unusually descriptive Revolutionary War manuscript recording the transportation of hay to a military \u003cstrong\u003e“Legion Camp”\u003c\/strong\u003e and the dispatch of an express wagon to Connecticut’s governor.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReceipted at \u003cstrong\u003e“Camp near New London” on October 22, 1782\u003c\/strong\u003e, the account lists payments to Daniel Wooley, Elijah Drake, William Cole, and Israel Post for hiring their teams to cart hay to the Legion camp. An additional eight pounds was allowed to William Dean for conveying an express wagon to the governor, including his expenses and compensation for six days during which he was “detained on the business.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDean, identified as a constable, acknowledges receiving the full £12. The receipt is witnessed by Jacob Carpenter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reference to the \u003cstrong\u003e“Legion Camp” is very likely associated with Lauzun’s Legion\u003c\/strong\u003e, the celebrated French cavalry and light-infantry corps that served under Rochambeau and fought in the decisive Yorktown campaign. Because the Legion included a substantial mounted contingent, its horses required an extensive and continuous supply of hay and forage furnished through American civilian teamsters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document dates from the period when French forces were moving through the northern states following Yorktown. Lauzun had returned from France and rejoined his command in September 1782. The combination of its date, southeastern Connecticut location, and explicit reference to hay for a “Legion Camp” provides persuasive—although not yet conclusive—evidence of a connection to his celebrated corps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe express mentioned in the account was sent to Connecticut’s governor, \u003cstrong\u003eJonathan Trumbull Sr.\u003c\/strong\u003e, a crucial supporter of Washington and the Continental Army. The manuscript therefore preserves a revealing glimpse into the network of teamsters, local officials, military camps, forage supplies, and express communications that supported the allied armies during the Revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 22, 1782\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace:\u003c\/strong\u003e Camp near New London, Connecticut\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigned:\u003c\/strong\u003e William Dean, Constable\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWitnessed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jacob Carpenter\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hay transported to the “Legion Camp”; express wagon sent to Governor Jonathan Trumbull\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLauzun attribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Probable but not conclusively documented\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original folds, toning, stains, minor edge wear and fading; principal text remains legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore info ...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe expenditures were:\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaniel Wooley, hire of his team carting hay to the Legion Camp — £1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElijah Drake, for the same — £1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliam Cole, for the same — £1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIsrael Post, for the same — £1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliam Dean, conveying an express wagon to the governor, including expenses and six days detained on the business — £8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal: £12\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow, \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Dean\u003c\/strong\u003e, identified as a constable, acknowledges receiving the full amount. \u003cstrong\u003eJacob Carpenter\u003c\/strong\u003e signs as witness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConnection to Lauzun’s Legion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe entry explicitly reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Carting Hay to the Legion Camp”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLauzun’s Legion—formally the \u003cem\u003eVolontaires-étrangers de Lauzun\u003c\/em\u003e—was the cavalry and light-infantry component of Rochambeau’s French expeditionary army. Its large mounted contingent required extraordinary quantities of hay and other forage, making the transportation recorded here exactly the type of service associated with the Legion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date is also significant. During the latter part of 1782, the French army was returning north after the Yorktown campaign. Lauzun had rejoined his Legion at Peekskill in September, while French forces subsequently moved through the region toward their final northern quarters. The document’s references to a \u003cstrong\u003e“Legion Camp,” an encampment near New London, teamsters hauling hay, and an express wagon to the governor\u003c\/strong\u003e place it squarely within the military transportation network supporting forces in southeastern Connecticut.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca class=\"decorated-link\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frauncestavernmuseum.org\/gloucester-point-and-lauzuns-legion?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTranscription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJethro Starr Dr.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo Daniel Wooley for the hire of his Team (carting\u003cbr\u003eHay to the Legion Camp) — £1:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo Elijah Drake for Ditto — Ditto — £1:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo Wm. Cole for Ditto — Ditto — £1:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo Israel Post for Ditto — Ditto — £1:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo William Deane for conveying a Waggon going\u003cbr\u003eExpress to the Governor, his Expences \u0026amp;c Six Days\u003cbr\u003ebeing Detained on the Business — £8:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e£12:0:0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReceiv’d in Camp near New London Oct. 22d 1782 of Jethro Starr\u003cbr\u003eTwelve Pounds in full for the above Team Hire, my\u003cbr\u003eTime Trouble \u0026amp; Expence \u0026amp; all Demands to\u003cbr\u003eWhatsoever to this Day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWm. Dean, Constable\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWitness\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJacob Carpenter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe creditor’s surname appears to be \u003cstrong\u003eStarr\u003c\/strong\u003e, although additional comparison with associated records would be desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical importance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is considerably better than a routine Revolutionary War pay receipt because it documents several interconnected military activities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivilian teams carrying hay to a specifically named \u003cstrong\u003eLegion camp\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe logistical needs of mounted troops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn express wagon traveling to Connecticut’s governor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSix days of wartime travel and detention\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePayment made inside a military camp near New London\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFour named teamsters, a constable, and a witness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reference to an express sent to “the Governor” would mean \u003cstrong\u003eJonathan Trumbull Sr.\u003c\/strong\u003e, Connecticut’s wartime governor and one of Washington’s most important civilian supporters. Trumbull was the only colonial governor who remained in office on the Patriot side throughout the Revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne-page manuscript on laid paper with deckled edges. Original horizontal and vertical folds, moderate toning, minor marginal wear, a small loss or separation along the upper edge, scattered stains, and some fading. The principal text remains legible, with the important phrases \u003cstrong\u003e“Legion Camp,” “Express to the Governor,” “Camp near New London,”\u003c\/strong\u003e and the date clearly visible. Overall, good Revolutionary War condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52753269129498,"sku":null,"price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2648_c968f352-53a2-4e16-a112-ce491645f09f.jpg?v=1787946518","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1782-lauzun-s-legion-related-revolutionary-war-supply-account-hay-delivered-to-the-legion-camp-and-an-express-sent-to-governor-trumbull","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}