Lot 69
AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, 10th July 1780 Letter (8 pages, without outer wrapper) headed "Camp near the River Brunse". It is likely that the writer was with General Sir Henry Clinton's forces in New York. The letter describes a recent engagement with "the whole Militia of the Country [New Jersey] join'd by a strong Part of Washington's Army who disputed every inch of ground. we advanc'd only. about 10 miles which cost us between 3 & 400 Men kill'd & wounded". The writer goes on to discuss the recent successful British siege of Charleston in which he was involved, the indecisive Naval Battle off Martinique, problems of communication with England on account of the French Fleet, etc. Together with this important Campaign Letter is an earlier letter from the same writer concerning an unnecessary detour to the Channel Islands in 1779 just after leaving England for America. Also four multi page letters (one with postal markings) referring to the writer of the other two letters, from which it appears that he was Colonel James Stuart, ensign of the First Regiment of Guards, who "lived with a woman by whom he has five children." and was the brother of Lord Blantyre (to whom all six letters were addressed). He was killed in America on 15th March 1781 at the Battle of Guilford, Connecticut. An excellent group, offering some fine insights into the period.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
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| Realized $1,350 |
