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Revolutionary War officer (1733–1814), remembered as 'General Washington’s Colonel,' who served as commander of the 7th Connecticut Regiment and later the 2nd Connecticut Regiment during the Revolutionary War, receiving a brevet promotion to brigadier general on September 30, 1783. An Original Member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati, Swift remained closely associated with Washington and the Continental Army through the war’s closing campaigns. Revolutionary War-dated manuscript DS, signed “Heman Swift, 2d Connecticut Regt,” one page, 9 x 9.25, April 11, 1783. Military certification issued at camp concerning Connecticut soldier John Condrick, who deserted from service in April 1781 before returning to the Continental Army in October 1782 and receiving a pardon from General George Washington. In full: “I certify that John Condrick served as a soldier in the late 5th Connecticut Regt commanded by Colonel Bradley, the whole of the year 1780, and on the 1st day of January 1781 was transferred to the 2nd Connecticut Regiment and Served in it until the 8th day of April following, on which day he Deserted and on 11th of October 1782 he returned from Desertion and received His Excellency General Washington’s pardon, and joined the Regiment and is now in actual service.” Signed below by Heman, who signs again beneath a statement by Condrick authorizing payment for his military service: “Please to give order to the treasurer of the state of Connect’t to deliver to John Parker all three notes found Due to me for my Service as a Soldier in the above mentioned Regiments, for the year of 1780 & 1781.” Signed at the conclusion by Condrick.
Included is a partly-printed DS signed by John Parker on June 17, 1783, acknowledging receipt from Connecticut’s Pay-Table Committee of an order on the state treasurer securing payment to reimburse John Condrick in the amount of “Twenty five pounds six pence.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and trivial paper loss at the fold intersections.
Documents directly referencing desertion and commander-in-chief pardons during the Revolutionary War are uncommon. Here, the manuscript records Condrick’s return to camp after more than a year absent from service and his reinstatement into active duty through the pardon of General George Washington during the war’s closing months. A notable Revolutionary War survival documenting Continental Army discipline, desertion, and Washington’s exercise of clemency during the war’s closing months.
This document was exhibited in the Revolutionary War exhibit at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in 2002.
