July 19, 1777-Dated Revolutionary War Important Content Newspaper titled: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, Reports that British Major General Richard Prescott is Captured by Colonel Barton, Printed by B. Towne, Philadelphia, Choice Extremely Fine.
Major General Richard Prescott is captured in a raid by Lt. Colonel William Barton and a handful of Continental soldiers reported in an Extract of a letter from General George Washington to Congress. Washington’s letter reads, in part:

“Sir, -- I beg leave to congratulate Congress on the captivity of Major

General Prescott and one of his Aides. Lieut. Col. Barton and small handful under his command, who conducted the enterprise, have great merit.”

George Washington’s letter is followed by the full printing of Congress of Major General Spencer on the glorious affair. One author has called this event, “the outstanding special operation of the

Revolutionary War,” which “still ranks as one of the greatest in American military history.” Later, once they had Prescott in custody, the Continentals were able to obtain the return of

American Major General Charles Lee, who’d been captured at the end of 1776. Plus much more content. A superb quality historic content Revolutionary War newspaper.
Washington’s letter is about his is about the July 1777 a raid on Prospect Hill, Rhode Island, led by Lieutenant Colonel William Barton.

Acting on intelligence about British troop dispositions, Barton took about 40 handpicked men by whaleboat under cover of darkness across Narragansett Bay, slipping past British warships to reach the shore near General Richard Prescott's headquarters at the Overing House.

Colonel William Barton's men overpowered the sentries and captured Prescott, reportedly who was still in his nightshirt, without firing a shot, then rowed him back to safety before the alarm could bring effective pursuit.

The raid was celebrated as a daring feat and a propaganda coup for the Continental cause, and it also proved practically useful: Prescott, a senior British officer, was later exchanged for the captured American General Charles Lee, making the operation one of the more consequential small-unit actions of the Revolutionary War.

In gratitude for the raid, on July 25, 1777 the Continental Congress passed a resolution of thanks and voted Barton an "elegant sword" for his valor in capturing Prescott, Congress commended Barton on July 25, 1777, and gave him a sword, though a resolution had passed directing that sword be awarded to Lieutenant Colonel William Barton for planning and executing the raid.

The gesture was largely symbolic in the short term, though Congress had to delay awarding Barton's sword, along with those of most other honorees, due to a lack of funds, so it wasn't delivered to Barton until nine years later, in 1786. It was a special honor, since in the course of the war Congress awarded presentation swords to only fifteen patriot officers total, with just three going to state or militia officers rather than Continental Army regulars.



Separately from Congress's award, Rhode Island's General Assembly made good on its previously promised $1,000 bounty, which Barton then divided among the men of his raiding party. Barton was also given a house in Newport that had belonged to a Loyalist, and later that year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and then colonel. The sword itself survives today and is held by the Rhode Island Historical Society.
Richard Prescott, American Revolution, Pennsylvania Evening Post, Colonel Barton, George Washington, Revolutionary War, Charles Lee,