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Burgoyne's account of his surrender at Saratoga...
Burgoyne's account of his surrender at Saratoga...
Item # 687154
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March 30, 1778
EXTRA. SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, (Philadelphia), March 30, 1778 This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Note this this 4 page issue has a simple banner nameplate at the top. It has both "Extra" and "Supplement" in the nameplate, but it more truly a special Extra edition as this semi-weekly newspaper printed between issue #139 dated March 28, and issue #140 published on April 1. This "extra" edition was obviously created to present to its readers General Burgoyne's account of his defeat at the Battle of Saratoga.
The entire front page and nearly two-thirds of page 4 are taken up with the very lengthy & extremely detailed letter dated "Albany, Oct. 20, 1777" signed in type: J. Burgoyne, as taken from the London Gazette. It is prefaced with: "This afternoon Capt. Craig, of the 47th regiment, arrived from Quebec with the following duplicate of a letter from Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne to Lord George Germaine, the original of which has not yet been received."
Near the beginning of the letter he gives his reason for needing to surrender, including: "...a series of hard toil, incessant effort, stubborn action, till disabled in the collateral branches of the army by the total defection of the Indians, the desertion or the timidity of the Canadians & provincials...the regular troops reduced by losses from the best parts to 3,500 fighting men...only 3 days' provision...I called into council all the Generals...and by their unanimous concurrence & advice, I was induced to open a treaty to Major General Gates...". He then delves into a very lengthy account of the events which preceded the surrender, carrying over the page 4 where is found his situation just days before the surrender, and including: "...and the convention enclosed herewith ensued, a transaction which I am sure was unavoidable & which I trust, in that situation, will be deemed honourable. After the execution of the treaty, Gen. Gates drew together the force that surrounded my position..." with more.
The photos show just portion of the Burgoyne letter.
As if this great content was not sufficient for one issue, all of page 2 is taken up with two letters signed in type by: W. Howe, concerning his victory at the siege of Fort Mifflin & Mud Island.
Page 3 continues with good war-related content including a report from Congress taken: "From A Rebel Paper" concerning General Washington's desire to continue the enlistments of current soldiers as the existing term of 6 or 9 months was not sufficient. Another item notes: "By a letter brought in by as flag of truce the rebels assert that they have authentic account of the death of Dr. Benjamin Franklin at Paris."
The wealth of fine content gives evidence that this "extra" edition was necessary outside of the regular printing schedule of this newspaper. And great that Burgoyne's letter on Saratoga appears in a Tory newspaper.
Four pages, a simple one-line "masthead", light damp stain to a lower corner, a few numeric notations at margins next to ads on pages 3 & 4 (this was the editor's copy), generally in very nice condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
