細節
RIEDESEL, Baron Friedrich Adolphus, Brunswick officer in British service. Letter signed ("Riedesel") to British General William Phillips, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 11 June 1778. Integral blank, fold separation neatly mended. RARE. A HESSIAN COMMANDER AS AN AMERICAN PRISONER OF WAR.
Riedesel (who spoke excellent English), writes to a fellow officer with whom he surrendered at Saratoga, concerning the wounding of a British prisoner by an American sentinel: "I have the Honor of Sending you the Translation of an inquiry with the Circumstances of the examination of William Bentrott & his wife, the former of whom was yesterday Stabbed by an American Centinel. I have at the same time the Honor of communicating to you the Report, made to me by Major [B. B. von] Lucke, & the Certificate of the Surgeon Major who examined the wound."
Riedesel (1738-1800) saw military service in Hesse and Brunswick; he commanded the first contingent of German mercenary troops sent from Brunswick for service with the British Army in America, arriving in June 1776 at Quebec. Joined by his wife and three young daughters, he was part of Burgoyne's ill-fated offensive. A fine field officer, he distinguished himself at Hubbardtown and in the first day's battle at Saratoga. After a year as prisoners at Cambridge, Riedesel and Phillips were exchanged for the American General Benjamin Lincoln, captured at Charlestown. Riedesel's letters are extremely rare; no example has appeared at auction in at least 25 years.
Riedesel (who spoke excellent English), writes to a fellow officer with whom he surrendered at Saratoga, concerning the wounding of a British prisoner by an American sentinel: "I have the Honor of Sending you the Translation of an inquiry with the Circumstances of the examination of William Bentrott & his wife, the former of whom was yesterday Stabbed by an American Centinel. I have at the same time the Honor of communicating to you the Report, made to me by Major [B. B. von] Lucke, & the Certificate of the Surgeon Major who examined the wound."
Riedesel (1738-1800) saw military service in Hesse and Brunswick; he commanded the first contingent of German mercenary troops sent from Brunswick for service with the British Army in America, arriving in June 1776 at Quebec. Joined by his wife and three young daughters, he was part of Burgoyne's ill-fated offensive. A fine field officer, he distinguished himself at Hubbardtown and in the first day's battle at Saratoga. After a year as prisoners at Cambridge, Riedesel and Phillips were exchanged for the American General Benjamin Lincoln, captured at Charlestown. Riedesel's letters are extremely rare; no example has appeared at auction in at least 25 years.