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Burgoyne on his surrender to General Gates at Saratoga... Washington's Proclamation to deserters...
Burgoyne on his surrender to General Gates at Saratoga... Washington's Proclamation to deserters...
Item # 703518
December 08, 1777
THE BOSTON GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Dec. 8, 1777
* Battles of Saratoga - Revolutionary War
* General John Burgoyne surrenders
The patriotic engraving in the masthead was done by none other than Paul Revere, showing the caged dove of peace being set free over the skyline of Boston by the symbol of liberty.
Certainly the most notable content would be the letter from General Burgoyne to Sir William Howe--found in its entirety on the front page--dated at Albany, Oct. 20, 1777. In his letter Burgoyne reflects upon the events of September that led to his historic defeat at Saratoga. Portions include: "...I passed the Hudson's river at Saratoga on the 13th of September. No exertions have been left untried. The army under my command has fought twice against great superiority of numbers. The first action was on the 19th of September, when after four hours sharp conflict we remained masters of the field of battle. The second action on the 7th of October was not so successful...The army afterwards made good that retreat to the heights of Saratoga, unable to proceed farther, the enemy having possession of all the fords & the passes on the east side of Hudson's river...at that time the last hope of timely assistance being exhausted, my numbers reduced by past actions...I was induced by the general concurrence & advice of the generals field officers...to open a treaty with Major-General Gates..." with more, signed in type: J. Burgoyne.
Also on the front page is a fine letter dated at Easton, Pennsylvania concerning Cornwallis crossing the Delaware with follow-up action. This is followed by a letter noting that Fort Mifflin was evacuated, with details.
Page 2 has a half-column: "PROCLAMATION" signed in type: G. WASHINGTON, set in larger-than-normal type to emphasize its importance. It notes in part: "...Whereas sundry soldiers belonging to the Armies of the said States have deserted from the same...who shall return; to their respective Corps, or surrender themselves to the Officers appointed to receive recruits and deserters...before the first day of January next, that they shall obtain a full and free Pardon...such obstinate offenders as do not avail themselves of the indulgence hereby offered...when apprehended...suffering the punishment justly due to crimes of such enormity..." with more.
Page 2 also has a letter beginning: "Burgoyne's defeat and surrender has been heard of in the city but they affect to disbelieve it..." then a letter from Albany beginning: "The enemy have evacuated Ticonderoga and burnt all the buildings there..." with much more find content.
Other fine war-related content as well but too much to list here, portions seen in the photos.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed minor wear at margins, some light damp staining, generally good condition.
AI notes: The surrender of British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga in October 1777 marked a decisive turning point in the American Revolutionary War. Burgoyne had led a large British force south from Canada, intending to isolate New England from the other colonies by capturing the Hudson River Valley. However, his advance was slowed by difficult terrain, stretched supply lines, and increasingly effective resistance from American forces under generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. After the two Battles of Saratoga—the first at Freeman’s Farm on September 19 and the second at Bemis Heights on October 7—Burgoyne found his army surrounded and unable to break through. On October 17, 1777, he formally surrendered more than 5,700 troops to the Americans. This victory was pivotal because it boosted American morale and, crucially, persuaded France to enter the war as an ally of the United States, providing vital military and financial support that would prove essential to ultimate American victory.
Category: Revolutionary War
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