October 23, 1777

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Mumford

Written by General Parsons to Mumford as a merchant in Groton, Connecticut. Says he has doubtlessly heard of the Convention between General Gates and General Burgoyne. The Convention delineated the terms of surrender for General Burgoyne. Mentions the action at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. Explains that due to fog, the battle with General William Howe ended prematurely. Says the Americans were close to victory before the fog settled on the field. Mentions casualties of generals. Says General Clinton embarked before he could attack. Says his numbers are few and now fears an…

GLC00496.075.04

28 October 1776

Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745-1807

Autograph document signed

Title: [Connecticut document ordering payment for guarding, moving & feeding Continental POW's]

Co-signed by Hartford mayor Thomas Seymour and Connecticut Treasurer John Lawrence. Countersigned by Moses Kimball on verso when he received payment and E. Plummer who audited the payment. Seymour and Ellsworth were members of the Connecticut Committee of Four, also called the Pay-Table, which handled finances for Connecticut during the Revolution. This document provides payment to Moses Kimball for the purchase of saltpetre. Also gives Kimball money to pay Prosper Whitmore for guarding, transporting, and feeding Continental prisoners.

GLC00873

November 22, 1778

Putnam, Israel, 1718-1790

Letter signed

Title: to Ezra Badlam

Letter written by Major General Putnam as commanded Continental forces near Redding, Connecticut to Lieutenant Colonel Badlam as commander of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. Orders Badlam to take his regiment to New Hartford, Connecticut or wherever General Enoch Poor is, to relieve him from oversight of the Convention troops. Those troops were British prisoners of war from the Saratoga Campaign of 1777. Wants Badlam to take the Convention troops to Fish Kill Landing. Recommends taking only provisions and no baggage. Says Poor will provide further directions. Struck out on a blank page is…

GLC01450.157

17 October 1781

Manuscript

Title: [Summary of troops and equipment surrendered to General Horatio Gates by General John Burgoyne]

An unknown person compiled statistics relative to Burgoyne's surrender to Gates after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. The scrap of paper is dated in October 1781. Breaks down nationality of the captured soldiers, number of sick and wounded, types and number of artillery and small arms captured, etc. Also written on the sheet is a receipt for Daniel Epir to receive payment from Samuel Emory. On verso, in what appears to be an unrelated to the summary of captured troops, is a partial list of payments due to soldiers. They could be troops under Gates's command.

GLC01450.197.01

24 September 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Thomas Seward

Written and signed for Knox in the hand of Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "I have directed a company under Capt. Lt. [Isaac] Guion from Col. [John] Lamb's regiment to relieve yours now Stationed in the Northern department. You will therefore obtain permission from Maj. Gen. [William Alexander] Lord Stirling to collect your men and repair to this post as soon as possible. You must carefully examine all the waggons and other carriages which were taken from General [John] Burgoyne in 1777, and such of them as are fit for Service must be brought here in their present state - the…

GLC02437.01626

28 September 1782

Alexander, William, 1726-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Signs as Lord "Stirling." Writes that the laboratory and the old iron cannon has been shipped, by sloop, from Albany to West Point. Mentions that he had expected the military stores to be shipped also, but the Deputy Quartermaster has "disappointed" him in the amount of sloops available for shipping. Has not heard whether anything else was meant to be shipped from Albany, and had expected to get more information from Knox. Writes, "Inclosed is a Return of the Military Stores ready to be sent, and another of some QMG's Stores which I have directed to be ready, as I am sure they will be of…

GLC02437.01631

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with Sir Henry Clinton in code. "Sir Henry Clinton" is written in pen at the top of one side, along with the word "Top" as a direction of how to place the cypher. There are 4 cut outs. When placed over a coded letter of the same size the cut outs provide a window for the message. There are pencil lines extending from the cut outs as well, which appear to be measurement lines for the actual cut outs.

GLC04764.02

27 November 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Jackson writes, "Are you dead or alive- one post after another, and not a line from you-its a Mo since I saw your hand writi'g." Describes his attempts to enlist soldiers. Asks if George Washington would approve if he enlists British General John Burgoyne's men, who are marching through on their way to embark for England following the British defeat at Saratoga. Argues that since Burgoyne's men are neither prisoners nor deserters, he should be able to recruit them. Hopes to obtain a set of bayonet belts based on the English pattern. Reports he will not be able to make it to camp…

GLC02437.00668

24 July 1778

Macomb, John, fl. 1778

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by Macomb, a Royalist in Burgoyne's army during the Saratoga campaign, to Burgoyne in London. Writes that he wants to affirm his character with Burgoyne after General Haldiman believes he deserted the army with 1500 pounds after the defeat at Saratoga. Says Brigadier General Fraser, who died at Saratoga, said he would have a 50 pound-a-year salary, which he has not received. Says he only left the army before the Convention because he dreaded what the "Rebels" would do to him for helping his son-in-law raise a battalion for Burgoyne. Hopes Burgoyne will recommend establishing his…

GLC04764.75

September 1778

Phillips, William, 1731-1781

Autograph document

Title: to Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of Liverpool

Memorial written by Major General Phillips, as commander fo the captured British Convention Army (he took control when John Burgoyne returned to Britain in April 1778) to Jenkinson as Secretary of War in Lord North's ministry in London. States that by a resolution of Congress in August 1778, it appears the Convention Army will not be returning to Britain in the next coming months. Worries about the promotion of the officers in the Convention Army, who are deprived of field service. Hopes the captured troops can count on the protection of the King. Says the troops under him have continued to…

GLC04764.76

29 May 1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph document

Title: to Captain Ross

Written by Kingston as a staff officer to General John Burgoyne. Kingston wrote this somewhere in Britain, where he returned with Burgoyne in April 1778. Requests action on his "particular exchange" as a prisoner of war. Mentions that he could be exchanged for Lieutenant Colonel Bellinger or Colonel Hale. Kingston was only formally a prisoner. He returned to Britain and promised not to fight until exchanged.

GLC04764.77

29 June 1776

Hunt, J., fl. 1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Hunt is writing to an unknown recipient. Sends it to "My Dearest Friend." The index prepared for this collection suggests it could be to General John Burgoyne. It could also have been sent to Robert Kingston. It is impossible to tell. Year inferred from the "Sat. Even: June 29th." The only year in the 1770s to have a June 29th on a Saturday is 1776. Says he saw his sister and had hoped to see him. Tells him that his mother became ill and died. Hopes circumstances have permitted him to leave before this arrives. Says he will help out in whatever way he can.

GLC04764.78

1763-1783

Autograph document

Title: [Fragment of check]

Fragment of a check from what appears to be activity related to the Saratoga Campaign. Mentions "Please to Pay to" and then cuts off. Also mentions "Genl. Burgoyne" as well as somebody or something in Colonel Aldens Regiment. Partial tear down the middle, which appears to have been repaired previously.

GLC04764.79

1763-1783

Powell, Henry, 1733-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Fragment of a letter written by Brigadier General Henry Watson Powell to General Burgoyne. Watson served under Burgoyne as commander of the 2nd Brigade during the Saratoga Campaign. This fragment is simply the closing of the letter. Says: "Carpenters, Masons;, Smiths, Oxen, Corvee Canadians[,]Carts & Horses with Harness compleat[.] Therefore The Ballance & Carts being destroyed will be of no great consequence." Signed by Powell.

GLC04764.80

December 12, 1777

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

Autograph note

Title: [Note on a missionary]

Index says the note is in General Burgoyne's hand. Initialed "JB" at the top. Says: "To be attended to: Joshua Wingate Weeks of Marblehead Missionary from the Society for propagat[ing] the gospel -" Weeks was a Royalist Anglican minister kicked out of Marblehead, Massachusetts for continuing to preach in the Anglican Church there. Date of creation inferred from the date of Weeks's ejection from Marblehead.

GLC04764.81

circa 1778

Geddes, David, fl. 1777-1778

Autograph document signed

Title: [Accounts during Saratoga Campaign according to David Geddes]

Created by Geddes as acting paymaster under British General John Burgoyne. This was written after the British defeat at Saratoga in October 1777. Document is divided into two sides, one side which marks expenditures by officers under Burgoyne and another that reconciles the expenses. Account goes from 15 June 1777 to 12 December 1777. Balance for expenditures by officers is slightly over 507 pounds. Combined with Burgoyne's own expenses of 330 pounds, the total balance is slightly over 837 pounds, "Errors Excepted."

GLC04764.82

circa October 1777

Broadside

Title: Burgoyne's Lamentation, At his surrender to the American army, under General Gates.

Nine stanza poem printed in Boston. Each stanza has eight lines and follows an "aabbccdd" pattern of rhyme. This broadside is the seventh edition. Date is estimated as around the end of the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, but it could be later than that given this is the seventh edition. Told from the point of view of British General John Burgoyne while he is surrounded by American forces. Burgoyne sends his lamentations to the Greek goddess Diana in the poem. First stanza mentions that earlier American generals made Burgoyne overconfident of an easy victory. Poem goes into Burgoyne's…

GLC04764.83

1778

Spenser, Boyle, fl. 1756-1778

Document signed

Title: to His Excelency, Sir Guy Carleton

Written by Boyle as a Lieutenant in the 24th Regiment of Foot seeking a promotion to Carleton as commander of British forces in Canada. Boyle's regiment was part of the advanced corps of General John Burgoyne's army during the Saratoga Campaign, but it appears he did not fight at Saratoga because he says he applied to join Burgoyne's detachment but that the "request could not be complied with." Date of creation inferred from content of the document. Boyle says he joined the British Army in 1756 and that he has served for 22 years. Joined the army as an ensign in the 37th Regiment of Foot and…

GLC04764.84

17 July 1777

Stuart, Archibald, fl. 1759-1777

Autograph document signed

Title: to His Excelency, Sir Guy Carleton

This document is a memorial written by Lieutenant Archibald Stuart of the 62nd Regiment of Foot asking for official acceptance and a promotion to Carleton as commander of British forces in Canada. Says he was appointed a first lieutenant in 1759 in the 88th Regiment of Foot and was wounded in the leg during the Battle of Campen in 1760. He was subsequently taken prisoner by the French for six months. In 1763 he was put on half pay but upon an application to reenter service he was made a lieutenant in an invalid company, but that "Inactive life [was] not suitable to his Inclination." He was…

GLC04764.85

10 November 1777

Carter, Jonathan, fl. 1777

Autograph document signed

Title: [Petition against Articles of Convention]

Petition signed by 13 British officers and subalterns in the Royal Regiment of Artillery captured at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. Probably sent to General John Burgoyne. Claims the Americans have not followed through on the stipulations of the Articles of Convention, the document that delineated the terms of General John Burgoyne's surrender to the Americans. Claims they have not been quartered properly and that their conditions "Compell Us to Decline Our Assent to the Parole, 'till the Articles We think Incompatible with Our Situations in Life to Submitt to, are Alterd."

GLC04764.86

10 November 1777

Petrie, George, fl. 1777

Autograph document signed

Title: [Petition against Articles of Convention]

Petition from 17 officers of the 21st Regiment of Foot, known as North British Fusileers, to General John Burgoyne, protesting their conditions under the Articles of Convention, which delineated Burgoyne's terms of surrender after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. Name of creator was selected from the first legible signature at the bottom of the document. Says it is impossible for them to submit to the regulations laid before them because it is disgraceful. Says they cannot subscribe their names to their paroles because there would be no opportunity for redress afterward. Claims they…

GLC04764.87

circa 10 November 1777

Autograph document

Title: [Petition against Articles of Convention]

Petition of the Captains and subalterns of the 9th Regiment of Foot to General John Burgoyne. They are "object[ing] to give their parole," for their treatment under the Articles of Convention, which delineated the terms of Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga in October 1777. Date estimated from other petitions in this decimalized collection, which are dated 10 November 1777. First complaint is on inadequate lodging and the other on the nightly curfew. No signatures are appended.

GLC04764.88

circa 10 November 1777

Autograph document

Title: [Petition against Articles of Convention]

Petition of the captains and subalterns of the 62nd Regiment of Foot, protesting the Articles of Convention to General John Burgoyne. Dated from other petitions in this collection which have a date of 10 November 1777. Says they cannot give their parole because of curfew restrictions and subpar housing. Claims "They feel themselves injured, that their Words of Honor are only to be trusted in Day light." Also claim their circumstances are "bordering upon close confinement." No signatures are appended.

GLC04764.89

14 October 1778

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph document

Title: Money paid by Lieutenant Colonel Kingston on Account of General Burgoyne

Account of General John Burgoyne's spending between September and December 1777. First page seems to be the final draft of the account. Mentions expenditures for cheese, horses, and for transporting the general's baggage. Kingston, one of Burgoyne's aids, paid out the money, which amounted to 60 pounds sterling. Kingston initialled the docket, which says a copy was left with a Mr. Collyer and that the account was reviewed on 18 December. Second separate page appears to be the first draft of this account. The draft accounts for a 21 pound sterling appropriation for a widow in the 62nd Regiment…

GLC04764.90

3 January 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

This document references receiving a resolve from Congress of 19 December 1777. Quotes section of the resolve to Burgoyne about the need for the British commissary to either send provisions of equal amount that have been supplied or to liquidate accounts with gold or silver before any prisoners are released. The resolve "is prefaced upon Sir Will: Howe's requisition for provisions to be sent in for the Subsistance of the American prisoners in his possession." Thought it best to send this information to Burgoyne, so he can arrange to settle the accounts before embarking for England. Marked "…

GLC04764.91