American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

PAGE, Thomas (possibly 1743-1829). Autograph letter signed ("Thomas Page") as Quarter Master Sergeant, Drake's Regiment, New Hampshire Militia. "Dated at Albany October the 23rd 1777." 1p, approx. 9 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (creasing at folds, toning, scattered spotting, some losses affecting small portions of text).

"...OUR ARMY INGAGED WITH THEM DROVE THEM FROM ALL THEIR LINES THEY LEFT THEIR SICK AND WOUNDED WHICH WERE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED OUR ARMY PURSUED AFTER THEM TO SARATOGA WHERE THEY MADE A STAND...."

Page writes regarding engagements on October 7th (Battle of Bemis Heights) and 8th, 1777, followed by the British retreat and ultimate surrender on October 17th. In part: "...there has been several ingagements between our army and the Enemy since we came up one oct 7th in the afternoon the Enemy came out towards our lines expecting they were able as before to Drive us which caused a very Smart Battle for about two howers the Enemy gave back and Left Part of their Lines our men took upwards of 200 Prisoners a Large Number killed and wound on both Sides ... our army pursued after them to Sarratoga where they made a stand ... Incamped all Round them being very Numerous & Strong on all sides of them so that they could not get out not receive any Reinforcement from any Quarter they desired a Sisention of arms which was granted...." He signs off his letter "I remain a friend to america and well wisher to you all."

U.S. Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service records indicate that Thomas Page of Hawke (now Danville), New Hampshire, entered Abraham Drake's Regiment of New Hampshire Militia on 8 September 1777 and was discharged four months later on 16 December. Drake's Regiment, also known as the 2nd New Hampshire Militia Regiment, was called up at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on September 8, 1777 as reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The British offensive sought to sever New England from the rest of the country, cutting off the supply of goods north and south in the colonies and striking a devastating blow to the American forces. Drake's Regiment of patriot militia forces marched quickly to join the swelling ranks of General Horatio Gates as he faced British General John Burgoyne in northern New York. The Battles of Saratoga, a series of engagements in September and October 1777, resulted in a decisive American victory and were considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Following the surrender of Burgoyne's Army on October 17, Drake's Regiment was disbanded on December 15, 1777.

A substantive letter describing one of the most pivotal engagements of the Revolutionary War.