Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Walton, George, 1740-1804 to Benjamin Lincoln

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01019 Author/Creator: Walton, George, 1740-1804 Place Written: Sunbury, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: September 1779 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 30.5 cm, Width: 19.2 cm Order a Copy

Written by Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Colonel in the First Georgia Battalion who was severely wounded and captured during the Battle of Savannah in December 1778, to Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Walton sent Major Habersaw to British General Augustine Prevost to request relief for American prisoners in Sunbury, but Habershaw was denied entry into Savannah. In response, Major Lane was sent with this letter to Lincoln to request relief. Hopes the prisoners can be exchanged for British prisoners or made prisoners at large in America. Says that the prisoners have been threatened with massacre by Indians, under the pretense of being armed. Says "it is the most earnest desire of the prisoners to be at liberty." Also claims that provisions are running low. Walton was exchanged for a naval captain shortly after this was written and was elected Governor of Georgia in November 1779.

Walton, George, 1749-1804
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Prévost, Augustine, 1723-1786

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources