Beschreibung:

AMERICAN REVOLUTION, BOSTON OCCUPATION]. General Orderly Book of the Headquarters of the British Army, during the occupation of Boston, Massachusetts, dated "Head Quarters, Boston," from 9 September 1775 to 16 February 1776. 4to, 263 pages, 193 x 158 mm. ( 7 9/16 x 6 1/4 in.), including three blank pages, written in various unidentified officer's hands, minor foxing to some leaves, bound ca.1840 in half black morocco and marbled paper boards, spine gilt-lettered "Head Quarters Orders, Boston, 1775," worn, some leaves loose in binding. WASHINGTON'S OPPOSITION: THE ARMY OF BURGOYNE, CLINTON AND HOWE IN THE BOSTON SIEGE An unpublished, newly discovered orderly book which records in minute detail the British occupation of Boston during the American siege which lasted from the Battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775) until the forced evacuation of British forces on 17 March 1776. In late May 1775 General Gage's Boston garrison had been reinforced by additional regiments under Generals Burgoyne, Clinton and Howe, bringing total British troop strength in Boston to about 6,500 men. A few weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, arrived to take command of the ragtag militia and other troops surrounding Boston. This meticulously maintained orderly book provides a vivid picture of the daily military situation of Washington's British opponents. The extensive record consists of daily entries, headed with the date, giving the "Parole" or confidential password needed to pass the picket lines, and daily assignments of Brigadier and Field officers to "Piquet," working parties, line guard, parade and other duties. Regiments are often allocated for guard duty at "Charles Town Ferry," "Hatches Warf" [ sic ], the "Long Warf," and other locations. Courtsmartial are frequently convened, and the names of the presiding officers, verdicts and sentences (usually lashes) are noted. On 25 September, for example, it records the case of "Winnifrid McGowen, a retainer to the Camp...for having stole the Town Bull and causing him to be kill'd," who is sentenced "to be tied to a Carts tail and there to receive one hundred Lashes on her Bare Back...in the most Public parts of the Town or Camp..." Specific promotions by Gage and command of George III are announced, as is the recall of General Gage by the King on 7 October. William Howe his successor is named to command British forces "within the Colonies on the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive..." In expectation of an American offensive, Howe specifies on 18 October that "when the Line is order'd under Arms, Major Genl. Burgoyne will Command the Right Wing, and Major Genl. Earl Percy the Left until Further notice..." On 24 October, the firing of a grand artillery and musket salute is ordered to honor of the anniversary of George III's accession to the throne. Petty thefts and pilferage -- including the robbery of the Provincial Seal from a drawer in the Council Chamber and the burglary of a house occupied by Burgoyne -- are recorded. On 27 September, George III's congratulatory message on the Battle of Bunker Hill is part of general orders: "The King has been pleased to order the Commandr in Chief to Express his Majesty's thanks both to the Officers and Soldiers for the Resolution and Gallantry with which they Attacked, and Defe[a]ted the Rebbels [ sic ] on the 17th June last, [in the Battle of Bunker Hill], Who had Every Advantage of Numbers and Situation and More Especially Express'd to the Genls. How[e] and Clinton...the Sense his Mÿjesty Entertains of the Spirit, Resolution and Conduct, by which they Distinguished Themselves...." The Lechmere Point Raid of 9 November (in which a British detachment landed by boat to seize cattle skirmished with American troops) is announced the next day. Clinton expresses "approbation, of the Alacrity & attention of the Officers & Soldiers...that Landed Yesterday on Phelps farm," and commends their "Sp