2023-03 HCA Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023
A partial volume of The (London) Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle (Vol. 47), 1777. Nine monthly issues roughly 5x8-inches. yet here remains a treasure of reports from the American Revolutionary War. The star of this volume is perhaps the lineage given over to the details of British General John BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER, outlined in thirteen pages, "Proceedings of the Army under Gen. Burgoyne from the beginning of September until its surrender on the 17th of October." (Dec., pages 573-586). This recounts in letters and dispatches events leading up to the capitulation of Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York on October 17, 1777, following battles with American General Horatio Gates near Saratoga in September and October 1777 (all mentioned in separate reports). With the British losing men and defenses during both engagements, Burgoyne retreated with a weakened army to Saratoga, where he surrendered to General Gates. This turning point in the American Revolution prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies, and it was the deciding factor in bringing active French support to the American cause. Before he broke bad, Brig. Gen BENEDICT ARNOLD and "His role in the Affair at the Cedars authentically stated," (Feb., page 66-70), recounts The Battle of the Cedars, a series of military confrontations early in the Revolutionary War during the Continental Army's invasion of Canada that had begun in September 1775. In extracts of four letters from Gen. William Howe to Lord Germain about taking possession of Rhode Island, he reports the battle at Trenton, movements of Lord Cornwallis and reviewing militia at Suffolk County (NY). (Feb., pages 89-91). The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal battle on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey. After General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night, Washington led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian auxiliaries garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, almost two-thirds of the Hessian force were captured, with negligible losses to the Americans. The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's waning morale, and inspired re-enlistments. Before leaving Putnam Creeks, Gen. Burgoyne's proclamation (Aug., page 360) exhorts in party: "I have but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my direction, and they amount to thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of Great Britain and America, I consider them the same, wherever they may lurk." (June, page 289-290): Letter from Gen. Howe on Cornwallis' victory at Bound-Brook on June 13. The battle occurred April 13 and was a surprise attack conducted by British and Hessian forces against a Continental Army outpost at Bound Brook, New Jersey. There are plenty of debates in Parliament over the war as well as letters and dispatches from Gen. Howe and other British leaders and citizens speaking out for- or against the war: "Defence of the American Congress Vindicated," (Jan., page 11-12); "A New Argument against American Resistance" (page 27-28); "Debate on Lord Howe's Declaration to the Americans" (Feb., page 51); Copy of the American High Treason Bill (Feb., page 52-56); letter; "On the Patriotism of the Present Time" (Feb., page 57); Letter from noted statesman Edmund Burke (MP) writes on "Affairs of America," (May, page 232-236); Lengthy coverage of the trial of John Horne who was eventually sentenced to seven months' imprisonment for raising a fund to support the American rebels, (June, pages 307-312). Letter from Gen. Howe on a successful venture to destroy stores of the Americans "at Peck's Kill upon the North River," (May, page 241); "Difficulties in Marching an Army through America." (Oct., page 472-474); A Letter from Carolina on the attack on Fort Mackintosh (On February 17, 1777, the base was attacked by Tories and Indians and forced to surrender the next day); Proclamation of Gen. Howe to raise provincial troops to fight for the British, and letter among Lt. Col. Walcott, Gen. Washington and Gen. Howe, relative to the exchange of prisoners. (Aug., pages 355-359). For diversion, there's an account of conjoined twins (Oct., page 482-483) In every issue are reports from Parliament that contain war-related debate, as well as letters on the war (pro and con) and all signed in type. Too much to mention. There are also about a half dozen illustrations (single-page and fold-outs) of landmarks, canals, and birds. The volume has been broken, but covers still intact, and monthly issues in March, April, September have been removed. Rag paper in great shape, very readable.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.