TARLETON, Banastre (1754-1833). Autograph letter signed ("Banestre Tarleton") to Anthony Walton White "or Off[ice]r command:g Enemy Outpost", n.p., 15 September 1779.

One page, bifolium, 240 x 187mm. (scattered soiling and a few spots of dampstain, pinholes at fold intersections more pronounce on integral leaf). Docketed on verso. Encapsulated.

Tarleton, fearing that he had lost of his dragoons on patrol on the lines around New York, writes to his American counterpart for information while offering an exchange: "If Sir such a Man as Serg:t Horsefield, or any one else, immediately under my Command yesterday, owing to the Darkness of the preceding Night, the Badness of the Roads, or the Fatigue of their Horses, fell into your Hands; I wish exchanged for whomever you think proper to name — You will be pleased by the Return of the Flag to signify your Design — The Men may if you think proper come in upon Parole"

Tarleton spent much of the summer of 1778 in command of the British Legion, a regiment of dragoons and light infantry that included many American Loyalists, patrolling the lines surrounding New York. In July, he led a successful raid on Pound Ridge, and was likely on patrol in northern Manhattan or Westchester when he penned this note. White was serving under Stephen Moylan and the 4th Continental Dragoons. At the start of 1780 both White and Tarleton were sent to the Carolinas where the former was captured by the latter at Landau's Ferry on 6 May 1780. White was exchanged in October, and rejoined his regiment serving in operations in Virginia and Yorktown. Provenance: Anthony Walton White – by descent to the consignor.