Lot 10
Four Valley Forge Muster Rolls. Four muster rolls for Captain Hugh Maxwell's Company for the months of December 1777, and January through March 1778, in camp at Valley Forge. One page each, large oblong folio. The first roll is headed "A Muster Role of Captn. Hugh Maxwells Company in the first Battallion of the Massachusetts State Commanded by Colo. John Bailey in the Continentall Army Decem. 24 1777." The January 1778 roll has the same information, except that it reads, "in the service of the United States of America," instead of "in the Continentall Army." February and March 1778 specify that they are for "…Capt. Hugh Maxwells Company of the first Regiment of foot in the service of the United States…."
The muster rolls list the commissioned officers: Capt. Hugh Maxwell, 1st Lt. Benjamin Ball, 2nd Lt. William Taylor, and Ensign Josua Peirce. Benjamin Ball was discharged in February and does not appear on the March roll. John Bailey, and Hugh Maxwell signed all four rolls; additionally, William Taylor signed the Dec. 1777 and Jan. 1778 rolls. Each muster roll lists the rank of each man, whether he enlisted for the duration of the war or for three years, and remarks, such as whether he was sick, on furlough, on command, had died, etc.
The February and March rolls actually name "Valley Forge"; the other two do not, but Maxwell's company entered Valley Forge in December 1777 and left in June 1778. All four documents have some age toning and wear, but all four are boldly written and of special historical significance because of their association with Valley Forge. Overall Fine.
Valley Forge, more than any other place associated with the American Revolution, has come to epitomize the suffering and sacrifice, as well as the perseverance and fortitude, of the American Army led by George Washington. Almost one in ten men died during the seven months they were encamped at Valley Forge, most of them from disease. Valley Forge also represents the metamorphosis of the American army from ragged, undisciplined troops into a unified fighting force.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized $13,800 |
