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Battle of Orleans, during the War of 1812, Letter dated 1815 Referring to and Signed by Colonel Dyer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:1,450.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Battle of Orleans, during the War of 1812, Letter dated 1815 Referring to and Signed by Colonel Dyer
SOLD
2,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2023 May 23 @ 16:40UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Camp Coffin, Louisiana, February 9th, 1815. Hand written letter from John Dickson, regiment quartermaster, regarding a horse being shot out from under their Colonel, Robert H. Dyer of the Tennessee Volunteers. Dickson writes "I do hereby certify that Col. H. Dyer of Genl. John Coffins Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers mounted gun men has his horse killed under him, on the night of the 23rd of December 1814 in a Battle with his Britanick Majsty's forces six miles below N. Orleans which horse, was in value worth $150..." According the notations on the back of the letter, Dyer recieved $150 for his horse and he signed in acknowledgment of his payment. The Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815 between the British Army under Major General Sir Edward Pakenham and the United States Army under Brevet Major General Andrew Jackson. The battle was the climax of the five-month Gulf Campaign (September 1814 to February 1815) by Britain to try to take New Orleans, West Florida, and possibly Louisiana Territory which began at the First Battle of Fort Bowyer. Britain started the New Orleans campaign on December 14, 1814, at the Battle of Lake Borgne and numerous skirmishes and artillery duels happened in the weeks leading up to the final battle. The battle took place 15 days after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which formally ended the War of 1812, on December 24, 1814, though it would not be ratified by the United States (and therefore did not take effect) until February 16, 1815, as news of the agreement had not yet reached the United States from Europe. Despite a large British advantage in numbers, training, and experience, the American forces defeated a poorly executed assault in slightly more than 30 minutes. The Americans suffered just 71 casualties, while the British suffered over 2,000, including the deaths of the commanding general, Major General Sir Edward Pakenham, and his second-in-command, Major General Samuel Gibbs. Colonel Robert Henry Dyer was Lt. Colonel of a regiment known as the "Tennessee Mounted Gunmen" when he entered the New Orleans Campaign with his servant Mat and his brother William as Adjutant. It would be at New Orleans that Dyer would gain lasting fame. He participated in the night attack against the British on December 23, 1814. While trying to get back to friendly lines with his subordinate, Lieutenant Colonel Gibson, "they ran into a body of British, who fired upon them; his wound was slight; when he fell he was pinned to the ground by a bayonet, which pierced his clothes. He worked himself loose, sprang to his feet and made his escape." Soon after this close call, he injured his thigh when his horse fell dead upon the field. Dyer soon recovered and was recommended for a promotion by General Jackson for his participation in the New Orleans defense. The letter is also signed by Major General Robert Butler who was an American military officer and acting governor of East Florida between 10 July 1821 and 11 July 1821, after Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain. He also served with distinction in the War of 1812 as Jackson's adjutant. The letter is in Very Good condition with some losses to the edges and has been preserved through Silking.