FORT CONSTITUTION BLOWS ITSELF UP ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

Here's a piece that one would do well to show to children who play with matches. A 2pp. folio document entitled : "Morning Report of Capt. Malleck's Company, Fort Constitution " from July 4 to July 11, inclusive . Filled out with a fine, clear hand, the document provides a daily lists of the number of men of each rank present at the Fort, as well as the number of prisoners at Forts Columbus, Independence, and Constitution, the Countersign for each day, and any events of note occurring at the Fort. On July 4th nothing specific is mentioned, though the countersign for the day was listed as:"Dreadful", an uncharacteristic sign for the fourth. The next day's entries explains that:"….Sergeant Olbertz, Private Whitman killed by accident Yesterday, 4th July, 1809 -Stevens, Gould & Reo Very Severely Wounded by the Same Accident. MACDONALD'S BLOWED OFF ENTIRELY, NOT TO BE FOUND. Ricker badly wounded, Robert Miller & P. Hurd severely wounded…." On the 6th the entry states that:"…Joseph Olbertz and Private William deducted ( removed from the ranks), Sgt. Crisby & party returned from command yesterday with 6 prisoners. The body of McDonald found near the lighthouse below low water mark. The same with the remains of Olberts and Withern. Were buried with full military honors of war yesterday at 4 P.M. , all in the same grave. The wounded men appear to suffer much. …" On July 7 the fort was inspected and the garrison immediately put to work effecting repairs, keeping the men occupied until the 11th of July, when it was noted that.;"…Major Swift arrived yesterday, ordered the repairs on the fortification which were but slightly damaged, except the condition of headquarters and ALL THE WINDOW GLASS IN THE GARRISON WHICH WAS SHATTERED TO PIECES…" . The rest of the fort was deemed repairable, but :"ordered by Major swift to be altered as to the interior accommodations…". Likely the interior of the fort was being arranged in such a way as to make the occurrence of an accidental explosion less likely. Even in peacetime forts were not the safest places to be, with accidents of various kinds and general illness often accounting for more casualties than in wartime. Water stains on the bottom left quarter of the document which makes it more difficult to read a couple of words in one entry , but otherwise does not effect the readability of the document. Because of the staining we rate the piece as just good, though overall the document is much closer to very good. Also included is a second page of morning reports from Fort Constitution, covering the period from September 14th to 21st, in roughly the same condition as the First report. An interesting conversation piece.

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