ALS to Peter Hagen (or Hager), Esquire, Washington, from Brigadier General Robert Swartout, Hoboken, May 8, 1817.

Archive

Scope and ContentHolographic letter to Peter Hagen (or Hager), Esquire, Washington, from [Brigadier General] Robert Swartout, Hoboken, 8 May 1817. Single folio, 12-1/2" high x 8-1/16" wide, [2] pages; cream wove, no watermark; folded for transmittal to 3-3/8" high x 5-7/8" wide; red wax seal. Franked in ink and pencil on address panel: May 1817 BG RSwartout. The contents of the letter relate to some claim regarding an Army member and the War of 1812. See notes regarding Swartout. No information has been established concerning the addressee.

Entry/Object ID

2008.012.0062

Acquisition

Accession

2008.012

Source or Donor

Lukacs, Claire

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.

Archive Details

Date(s) of Creation

1817 - 1817

Archive Notes

Date(s): 1817-1817

General Notes

Note

Notes: Robert Swartout (1778-1848) A successful and wealthy New York merchant, Swartout was commissioned a state militia colonel in 1812. In March 1813, he was named both a brigadier-general and quartermaster general of the army replacing his friend, Morgan Lewis, in that appointment. Swartout seems to have had difficulty getting control of his department and, in any case, was distracted by greater ambitions as he wanted to serve in the field. He got an opportunity when he received command of an infantry brigade in Wilkinson's army during the autumn 1813 offensive and promptly demonstrated that he was a better storekeeper than general. Swartout returned to his quartermaster general duties and was honorably discharged from the army in 1816. He returned to New York city where he made a living as a merchant and naval agent. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2008-05-11