A STATE OF THE EXPEDITION FROM CANADA, AS LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL BURGOYNE, AND VERIFIED BY EVIDENCE; WITH A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS....
Burgoyne, John:
London. 1780. viii,140,lxii pp. plus [1]p. entitled "Advertisement," five partially colored folding plans (two with overlays), and folding map. Large quarto. Mid-19th-century three quarter morocco and marbled boards, spine gilt. Old repaired tear in first map. Scattered foxing, light tanning. Light dampstain affecting upper and lower margins of four leaves toward rear of text. Some off-setting on the maps. Overall just about very good. The first edition, in large quarto format, of Burgoyne's defense of his conduct as commander of the British expedition down the Hudson Valley from Canada in 1777. Intended to cut the New England colonies off from the rest of rebellious America, the expedition ended in disaster at Saratoga, where American forces soundly defeated Burgoyne and forced his capitulation. Herein Burgoyne answers the inquiry of the House of Commons, demonstrating that the forces he was given were not sufficient to accomplish the task. This is the most important source for information about the campaign, illustrated with excellent maps and plans. The "Plan of the Encampment and Position of the Army under His Excelly. Lt. General Burgoyne at Swords House on Hudson's River near Stillwater..." depicts, among other particulars, the "First and Second Positions of that part of the Army engaged on the 19th of September." Tipped to the margin of that plan, as an overlay, is a section of a similar map depicting the "Third and Fourth Positions..." of the Army on that same date. The "Plan of the Encampment and Position of the Army under his Excelly. Lt. General Burgoyne at Braemus Heights..." also has an overlay tipped to the margin of the plan indicating the position of Burgoyne's Army on Oct. 8. On the printed plan beneath the overly is indicated the General's camp from Sept. 20 to Oct. 7. STREETER SALE 794. LANDE 69. TPL 503. SABIN 9255. HOWES B968, "aa."
(Item ID: WRCAM24452A) $8,000.00