Lot
225 
Headquarters Cantonment on the Ohio, Oct 3rd 1801. Dateline on folded letter with manuscript "Recruited a Brigadier for carrying a letter" notation on outside, from General Wilkerson to "Maj Buell, 2nd Regt. Infanty" requesting the troops at Smiths landing return to the Cantonment…The tents, Tools, Camp Equipage, Stores, & public property of every species, are to be carefully packed & stored in the boats, which should descend to this place…, Very Fine, a rare and historic letter from Cantonment Wilkinson. Estimate $500 - 750.
General Wilkinson used Cantonment Wilkinson in October 1801, as a rendezvous for government officials, boats, troops, presents, and supplies intended for treaty negotiations he conducted with the Chickasaw and Choctaw at Chickasaw Bluffs near Natchez later that month. Wilkinson clearly had planned to use the cantonment for this purpose as early as August 20 when he had ordered Colonel Strong to "have one boat in proper condition for the reception [of] Governor Claiborne & his Family about the 1st of October" (Wilkinson August 20, 1801). As he had done during his August visit. Wilkinson once again held a military review at the cantonment. As part of this, the 2nd Infantry companies stationed at the mouth of the Tennessee under the command of Major Buell broke camp and accompanied Wilkinson back to the cantonment, arriving there by October 13. In a letter dated that day Wilkinson informed the Secretary of War that he had decided to make the cantonment the "winter quarters" for the 2nd Infantry Regiment".
Realized: $450