Partly-printed document signed, "Go: Washington," as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, 2 pages, 6.75" x 9.75", "Head-Quarters" [Newburgh], June 17, 1783, a discharge granted to "Louis Soso Soldier of the United States of America in... General Hazen's Regiment, having faithfully served the United States five years nine Months..." Contersigned by Joseph Trumbull ("J Trumbull Jun Sy") and "Benjamin Moors" as Adjutant. Folds with minor separations at intersections, light soling and toning, else very good condition. Matted and framed with a portrait and hinged double frame which shows the verso of the document as well.

Presumably from a Quebec-born family, Louis Soso joined Moses Hazen's 2nd Canadian Regiment sometime in 1777 or 1778 during the siege of Yorktown. Elements of Hazen's Regiment, which served under General Lafayette, were heavily involved in the critical storming of British redoubt No. 10 on the night of October 14, 1781.

Little is known about Soso's service specifically save that he was involved in an altercation with an office in the fall of 1781. At a general court martial, held in Lancaster in November 1782, Sgt. Soso, was tried "for drawing his sword on Lieutt. [John] Sullivan of the 4th regiment of Light Dragoons and for attempting to kill him when in the execution of his duty." After he was found guilty, Soso was reduced to Private and sentenced to "one hundred lashes on his bare back." Washington, though he approved the sentence, "in consideration of all circumstances is pleased to remit the corporal punishment." The lieutenant in question, John Sullivan joined the 4thContinental Dragoons in October 1777 and in 1783 was one of the ringleaders of the Pennsylvania mutiny of that year (which forced Congress to flee Philadelphia). When Sullivan applied to Congress for his back pay in 1786, Congress refused the request, citing that he had "left the service in June 1783, without leave." (Washington, General Orders, November 29, 1782 in Fitzpatrick, Writings, 25:382)

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