One page, 9.5" x 7", Stillwater [New York]; October 17, 1780, "5 O Clock after noon". Shortly after Loyalists and their allies under the command of Sir John Johnson had started destroying crops and property across the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys, Lieutenant Colonel Brinton Paine of Dubois's Regiment of New York Levies writes to Governor George Clinton from Stillwater (close to Saratoga) requesting reinforcements. It reads, in part: "...the Enemy are about four hundred - Major Mitchell followed them till he heard them Drive their Cattel and then Returnd... The Militia are collecting at Genl. Schuylers I shall Press on to the men this night I am informed the Enemy are now at white Crick Burning and Destroying all before them I hope you will send part of the Militia as soon as possible to Fort Edward..." Three days later, his regiment composed the right wing of the American force at the battle of Klock's Field, forcing a British withdrawal.
Brinton Paine (1739-1825) of Dutchess County was appointed a captain in the New York militia in 1775 and promoted to major in 1777. He was captured during a raid on Ward’s’ House by Loyalist raiders in March 1778 and incarcerated in the Provost Jail and Sugar House Prison in New York City. Exchanged in 1779, Paine was promoted to lieutenant colonel of Dubois’s Regiment of New York Levies in 1780 and was involved in military actions against British, Loyalist and Indian allies raiding New York from Canada, as referenced in this letter. After the war he became the first judge of the common pleas court in Tioga County, New York, having previously served as a New York assemblyman. Condition: Minor chipping to edges. 1" x 1.5" closed tear to the right margin affecting text. Scattered paper loss throughout from ink burning. Light scattered foxing and soiling. Item #122
Price: $2,400.00