Delegate to the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina (1741–1788). Revolutionary War–dated LS, three pages on two adjoining sheets (with a postscript on the reverse of the last page), 7.5 x 9, September 15, 1780. Penn writes to General Jethro Sumner, who suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina a month earlier. In full: “Our Assembly having established a Board of War & invested them with extensive powers, we are as members of that board to inform you that requisitions for supplies of all kinds & returns will be made from time to time to us; you will agreeable with the orders of the Govr. do your utmost to repel the Enemy & cover & protect the western parts of the state, we shall push forward to your assistance all the force that can be spared, about 800 men (on horses) we expect will certainly arrive to your aid by the 25th inst. from this district exclusive of the succor from Salisbury District. Genl. Butler in a few days will go forward with his men—200 horse, from this County under Col. Taylor started yesterday and will proceed thro Chatham & after scouring that County form a junction with a Detachment from Genl. Harrington, and the whole of them push on to Mask’s Ferry and establish a Post there which will immediately be reinforced with 6 or 700 men under General [Allen] Jones from Halifax District. It is meant to establish a pretty strong post at that place. The Light Horse from Halifax will be order’d up, we believe immediately, to your assistance. Genl. Gregory will collect & gather his scatter’d brigade which when done will move forward; we have wrote to Col. Polk to do his utmost respecting Supplies of Provisions etc for the troops in your quarter. Genl. Caswell having inform’d the Assembly that he could not conveniently immediately take the field it was thought advisable to request Genl. [William] Smallwood to take command of our militia, tho as yet tis not certain whether he will or not, if he does he will be up with you directly, if he does not the whole Force of our State will be under your immediate direction and command in which case we hope and rest assured that no exertion on your part will be lacking. We shall be glad to hear from you as often as conveniently may be and shall from time to time inform you of the Disposition & movement of our whole Force.” After signing in full, Penn initials the postscript written on the reverse of the second page: “The Maryland Line lies here yet & will for some time. Col. Beauford with about 300 regulars from Virga. is also here in but a poor condition to take the Field, not being supplied by his own state with hardly any camp equippage.” The letter has been countersigned, and the postscript also initialed, by Alexander Martin and Oroondates Davis (see below). The Battle of Camden, which had taken place on August 16, resulted in a stunning defeat for the American troops and a crucial strengthening of the British hold on the Carolinas. Though the British suffered relatively few casualities, the loss to the American forces was immense: some two-thirds of the American troops were killed, the bloodiest defeat for either side during the war. In response, Abner Nash, the Governor of North Carolina, recalled Penn from Congress to sit on the newly formed emergency Board of War. The three-man board, composed of John Penn, Alexander Martin (who was dismissed from the army for cowardice in the battle of Germantown in 1777 and later served in the North Carolina Senate), and Oroondates Davis (a member of the state General Assembly), in effect assumed control of all military matters. Penn’s, and the board’s, major task was to keep the militia well supplied so that the American forces would not be hampered by hunger or privation. In fine condition, with intersecting folds and some light toning and foxing. An exceedingly significant letter with an important association to one of the pivotal battles of the war! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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