(WAR OF 1812 'ARMY OF TWO') REBECCA W. BATES

(WAR OF 1812 'ARMY OF TWO') REBECCA W. BATES
(1793 - 1881) One of the 'American Army of Two', who claimed to repel a British warship with her 17-year-old sister at the age of 21. Group of three scarce A.N.S.s written in Bates's hand, each 1p. 5 x 2 in., two reading: 'Rebecca W. Bates, aged 83 years, one of the American army of two in the War of 1812'. The other reads: 'Mrs. Mary Turner at The Farm From Rebecca W. Bates, aged 83 years'. These signed notes are housed in a 12mo. envelope, bearing the handwritten label: 'Autographs of Miss. R.W. Bates...Rebecca the Drummer in St. Nicolas'. In very good condition overall, with some minor ink staining. The 'American Army of Two' is the name commonly given to Rebecca and Abigail Bates, daughters of a Massachusetts lighthouse keeper. In September 1814, their father was away from the lighthouse when the British landed a warship near the harbor, intending to sending a raiding party into the town. Rebecca and Abigail, then aged 21 and 17, realized that there was no time to warn citizens of the impending attack. Seizing a fife and drum, they began to play. The soldiers, assuming that the sound signaled the approach of the town militia, retreated hastily. Always swearing the story to be true, Rebecca began selling affidavits for ten cents apiece in her older years, which might be the purpose of these slips? In overall good condition with some very minor ink staining.