BURGOYNE, John, General, British Army . Letter signed ("J. Burgoyne") TO GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH Continental Army, Cambridge, [Mass.], 12 February 1778. 3 pages, 4to, the closing and Heath's name in Burgoyne's hand, recipient's docket on p.4, very lightly spotted, discreet embossed mark of "J.Wingate Thompson" in blank portion of p.1. "GENTLEMAN JOHNNY" BURGOYNE AS A DISGRUNTLED PRISONER OF WAR A haughty letter in a tone of ill-concealed contempt, from the defeated Burgoyne to the American officer in charge of the "Convention Army," British and Hessian troops who had surrendered at Saratoga. Their captured commander denies reponsibility for members of his command who refuse, for reasons of conscience, to sign parole papers. He has received Heath's letter "...conceived in terms more abrupt and peremptory than I should have imagined the occasion required, relative to a complaint...against a Captain Atherton...I know of no such Officer in this Army...if you mean Mr. Atherton the Provost, should he not have given his parole, you profess to have the authority, and by fatal experience we know you have the means, to punish any delinquent...I desire to be excused from giving any reasons why persons have not signed a parole - British Officers not professing to have any control over the conscience." He concludes with a list of the only three Officers whom he knows have refused to sign parole papers and adds, "they still persevere in their refusal. The act is their own; and it is for you to take the course you may think proper." Following his forced surrender by convention with the Continental Army under Horatio Gates, after his defeat at Saratoga on 17 October 1777, Burgoyne's "Convention Army" (nearly 5,000 men) were marched to Boston. They were to have been allowed to return to England, after signing a parole not to carry arms against the colonies, but Congress, realizing that troops returned to Britain would simply free an equal number of other soldiers for service in America, balked at the arrangement. British transports arrived off Boston in late December, but were not permitted to enter; finally, in April, Burgoyne and his senior officers were permitted to embark for England; the rest of his ill-fated Army spent the war as prisoners.
BURGOYNE, John, General, British Army . Letter signed ("J. Burgoyne") TO GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH Continental Army, Cambridge, [Mass.], 12 February 1778. 3 pages, 4to, the closing and Heath's name in Burgoyne's hand, recipient's docket on p.4, very lightly spotted, discreet embossed mark of "J.Wingate Thompson" in blank portion of p.1. "GENTLEMAN JOHNNY" BURGOYNE AS A DISGRUNTLED PRISONER OF WAR A haughty letter in a tone of ill-concealed contempt, from the defeated Burgoyne to the American officer in charge of the "Convention Army," British and Hessian troops who had surrendered at Saratoga. Their captured commander denies reponsibility for members of his command who refuse, for reasons of conscience, to sign parole papers. He has received Heath's letter "...conceived in terms more abrupt and peremptory than I should have imagined the occasion required, relative to a complaint...against a Captain Atherton...I know of no such Officer in this Army...if you mean Mr. Atherton the Provost, should he not have given his parole, you profess to have the authority, and by fatal experience we know you have the means, to punish any delinquent...I desire to be excused from giving any reasons why persons have not signed a parole - British Officers not professing to have any control over the conscience." He concludes with a list of the only three Officers whom he knows have refused to sign parole papers and adds, "they still persevere in their refusal. The act is their own; and it is for you to take the course you may think proper." Following his forced surrender by convention with the Continental Army under Horatio Gates, after his defeat at Saratoga on 17 October 1777, Burgoyne's "Convention Army" (nearly 5,000 men) were marched to Boston. They were to have been allowed to return to England, after signing a parole not to carry arms against the colonies, but Congress, realizing that troops returned to Britain would simply free an equal number of other soldiers for service in America, balked at the arrangement. British transports arrived off Boston in late December, but were not permitted to enter; finally, in April, Burgoyne and his senior officers were permitted to embark for England; the rest of his ill-fated Army spent the war as prisoners.
.jpg?height=400 "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
