1781-1783

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters of British soldier Charles Irvine to his brother [Decimalized .01-.19]

GLC01450.023

July 20, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he has arrived safely in New York. The boat was frequently chased but out-sailed any danger. Informs that he is now with the 57th regiment and everything is going well. Praises the officers. Mentions meeting General Campbell (possibly John Campbell) who is in New York from Pensacola but is on parole and therefore cannot serve. Comments that Campbell is not held in high esteem among the men. Says Lieutenant Colonel McLeroth has told the men they may be going south to join British General Cornwallis. General Washington and some…

GLC01450.023.06

February 27, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he wrote awhile ago but has not heard from him since. Remarks that he purchased his commission in the 57th regiment in the British army and expects to get it soon. He wishes he did it awhile ago because he is very short on money and has already borrowed to appropriately outfit himself. Asks his brother if he can borrow 100 pounds right away since he will not be in the country for long. Gives his love to Irvine's wife. Charles Irvine was an ensign in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.01

March 15, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he got his brother's letter from their sister Margaret in which she apologized for opening his letter to Alexander. Charles states that there was no need for her to apologize because he does not need to keep secrets from her but that there are others he would rather not know his business. Thanks him for his kind letter and for his readiness to serve him (possibly referring to Charles' request for money in an earlier letter, GLC01450.023.01). Remarks that he might not be able to leave for New York for awhile yet as there are no…

GLC01450.023.02

March 26, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that since his last letter, he has decided not to take the first ship to New York and to wait for the convoy as it is safer. Reports that he wrote to Mr. Moir in order to get credit with the agents of the British regiment which he is trying to enter but that the agents will not give credit without having the money in their hands. He hopes Mr. Moir will be able to assist him and asks his brother to speak to him to help get things settled so he can get this promotion. Explains that his state of affairs is unfavorable and that he cannot…

GLC01450.023.03

April 28, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he is leaving for Falmouth in a day or so to go on a packet boat, having lost hope of getting a convoy to New York. States he cannot wait any longer because since he has left Scotland, his expenses have been very high. He remarks that Mr. Moir has been very accommodating in advancing money and he hopes to pay him back soon, and asks Alexander to thank Mr. Moir for him. Mentions that he will have a draft made payable to Alexander for 50 pounds payable next December but knows that if at that time, he still does not have the money,…

GLC01450.023.04

July 6, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he has arrived safely to New York after a passage of seven weeks from England. States that the regiment he is entering is at Kingsbridge, 14 miles from New York. He reports that he met with the commander, Lieutenant Colonel McLeroth, and was introduced to the officers, and joins today. Explains that he will write again soon but wanted to make sure this letter got onto the packet to England. He hopes to get a lieutenant appointment as he is the only ensign in the regiment to purchase a commission. He gives his love to family and…

GLC01450.023.05

circa October 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that mail has been very irregular. The last letter he received from Alexander was dated September 20. Comments that to the satisfaction of troops in New York, he has heard that Great Britain will continue the war. Reports that they are expecting a needed reinforcement of troops and ships. They do not know where the Continental army will strike next. Informs that they will be on Staten Island for the coming months. Discusses his need for finances and says he has been living very frugally since joining the regiment. Asks him to have his…

GLC01450.023.07

November 29, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he was so hurried in his last letter he forgot to mention his promotion in rank which he is happy about. States that he has written to Mr. Moir to get his affairs in order. Discusses his financial state for a bit and his need for credit. States Colonel McLeroth has offered to write on his behalf to help him get credit. Comments that Alexander must have heard of General Cornwallis's fall and says they do not know what the consequences will be. Expects reinforcements if Britain intends to keep the colonies. Gives his love to family…

GLC01450.023.08

December 10, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he sent a letter with a friend and British soldier George Cumine who went home with General Cornwallis and his unfortunate army. Remarks upon the death of their Uncle Forbes. Discusses letters received and sent to family and friends and the state of the mail. Mentions his promotion in rank again and that he is glad to hear it will not be delayed by lack of money. States he asked Mr. Moir to send him some money. Indicates that Cumine will explain his situation better when he returns home. General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown…

GLC01450.023.09

March 20, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. States that he got a letter from Mr. Moir about his financial affairs. His regiment is under orders for embarkation so he had to request 40 pounds from Moir to prepare. Discusses his pending promotion in rank and the finances involved with it. Informs him that they do not know where the regiment will be sent but some think the West Indies. Gives his love to family and friends. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.10

May 14, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Discusses letters received and sent. Informs him that he has finally been able to purchase a promotion and is now a captain in the 57th Regiment. States the price he paid was astonishing but he would not have gotten another chance and would have been a subaltern for years. He paid 2300 pounds and had to do the transaction quietly because there were many older lieutenants in the army who would have given more. He considers himself lucky given his short time in the army. Gives love to family and friends. Postscript states he sent the letter…

GLC01450.023.11

August 3, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Discusses the mail and that he usually expects to receive letters on the arriving packet boats. States that sending something by private conveyance is certain to not arrive. Mentions his promotion to captain and comments that his rise in ranks was more rapid than he ever could have hoped. Thanks him profusely for helping him financially. Asks for information on family and friends and gives his love. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.12

October 28, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he is well and they expect to stay on Staten Island for the winter. He had previously mentioned that the regiment might be sent to the West Indies but that is no longer probable. Some regiments may be sent next spring. Mentions the match between their sister Bell and a Mr. Allan. Comments that he is living quite frugally. Asks him to have Mr. Moir update him on his financial affairs of which he is ignorant at present. Gives love to family and friends. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.13

December 17, 1782

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that his regiment has moved from Staten Island to York Island and have been there a month. He is very comfortable. Regrets that Balfour (a soldier returning home who delivered his last letter) could not visit Alexander. Reports that three of the regiment captains' are prisoners, one at Halifax, and the others at home. He and one other captain remain with the regiment but the duties are easier than on Staten Island where they had many detachments. Fears he may miss getting this letter to the packet boat. Anticipates news from Gibraltar…

GLC01450.023.14

January 15, 1783

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Encloses a letter from another soldier to his brother who is also in Scotland and asks Alexander to forward it on. Remarks that he has not heard from any of his friends in Scotland for awhile. States that nothing worth mentioning has happened. Gives love to family and friends. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War. Both pages have pieces with some text missing from the right edge of the letter. Letter is incomplete.

GLC01450.023.15

March 14, 1783

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. Discusses the mail situation and that he hasn't heard from him in awhile. Indicates that anxieties are very high. He writes that they received the King's Speech via the West Indies a few weeks ago and it seems a peace is very near. He gives his love to family and friends. Postscript asks him to have Mr. Moir send the state of his financial affairs. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

GLC01450.023.16

August 28, 1783

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Letter written to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland. He fears being reduced to half pay in the army because the war is just about over. Indicates that he will try to get an exchange to another post as soon as he gets to London, as he is not suited to a life of half pay. Many men will be attempting the same so he will have to be prompt. He was pleased to hear that his finances are in good order, as that will help him in getting an exchange. He believes that if a officer takes half pay, he can forget about ever serving again. He asks about whether Lord Erroll's estate has been sold because then…

GLC01450.023.17

December 4, 1783

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he has arrived in London from New York after a 30 day trip. He expected to have arrived sooner but wanted to wait for a safer ship. States that he will write again when he gets settled. He gives his love to family and friends. Postscript explains that he will find out soon about getting an exchange and comments that he will not do anything hasty or without advise. Charles Irvine was a soldier in the British army during the Revolutionary War. As the war has ended, he is trying to get an exchange to another post so as to not have…

GLC01450.023.18