American merchant, soldier, and politician (1740-1788) from Savannah, Georgia, who commanded the victorious patriot forces in a naval battle near St. Simons Island, Georgia, on April 19, 1778. ALS signed “S. Elbert, Colo. Comm., Continental Brigade, Georg.,” one page both sides, 6.5 x 8, December 15, 1778. Letter to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, written from Savannah. In full: "I am instructed by Major General Howe, to forward the Returns you desired, the present disorders in this State, occasioned by the late Invasion of the Enemy, makes it Impossible to send them by the Returning Express, the necessary steps are taken and as soon as Satisfactory ones can be procured they will be sent to you. The Rank & file, belonging to the Infantry of the Brigade under my Command are about four Hundred & fifty, of these, two Hundred are Encamped at Medway, fifty more are posted near Augusta and the remainder (except the sick and those on furlough which I Estimate at about one Hundred & twenty) are doing duty onboard our Gallies, which are almost destitute of Men.—The Light dragoons about Sixty men are posted near Augusta with the Infantry; besides the foregoing there are three Companies of Artillery, about Sixty men, one of which does duty in the Fort at Sanbury & the other two are at Medway camp." Professionally inlaid into a larger sheet and in fine condition, with a few stains. The British had just invaded Georgia and ultimately captured Savannah with ease two weeks later on December 29, 1778. Elbert would be wounded and captured at the Battle of Brier Creek in March 1779, and imprisoned for over a year before being exchanged after the capture of Charleston in 1780.
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