Revolutionary War–dated manuscript ‘true copy’ of a letter from Campbell to General William Howe, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 12.75, June 19, 1776. In part: “I am sorry to inform you that it has been my unfortunate lot to have fallen into the hands of the Americans in the middle of Boston harbour; but when the circumstances which have occasioned this disaster are understood, I flatter myself no reflection will arise to myself or my officers on account of it… On the 17th, at daylight, we found ourselves opposite to the harbour's mouth at Boston; but, from contrary winds, it was necessary to make several tacks to reach it. Four schooners (which we took to be pilots, or armed vessels in the service of his Majesty, but which were afterwards found to be four American privateers, of eight carriage-guns, twelve swivels, and forty men each) were bearing down upon us at four o’clock in the morning…two of them engaged us, and about eleven o'clock the other two were close alongside. The George transport, (on board of which were Major Menzies and myself)…had only six pieces of cannon to oppose them; and the Annabella…had only two swivels for her defence…Our loss upon this occasion was only three men mortally wounded on board the George, one killed and one man slightly wounded on board the Annabella. As my orders were for the port of Boston, I thought it my duty, at this happy crisis, to push forward into the harbour…As we stood up for Nantasket Road, an American battery opened upon us, which was the first serious proof we had that there could scarcely be many friends of ours at Boston…About eleven o’clock four of the schooners anchored right upon our bow, and one right astern of us. The armed brig took her station on our starboard side, at the distance of two hundred yards, and hailed us to strike the British flag…On our refusing to strike the British flag, the action was renewed with a good deal of warmth on both sides…without the power of escaping, or even the most distant hope of relief, I thought it became my duty not to sacrifice the lives of gallant men wantonly in the arduous attempt of an evident impossibility. In this unfortunate affair Major Menzies and seven private soldiers were killed, the Quartermaster and twelve private soldiers wounded. The Major was buried with the honours of war at Boston.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds (several with slight separations), scattered toning and soiling, and some paper loss to top and bottom edges. This letter was given to the grandson of Ralph Waldo Emerson and passed down through the family. Accompanied by a book about Campbell by Charles H. Walcott, Emerson’s lawyer and friend; also included is correspondence between the Campbell and Emerson families regarding Archibald Campbell.
As the newly appointed Committee of Five began drafting the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in June of 1776, the city of Boston—having finally expelled the British in early spring—began their recovery from the yearlong siege that had taken over the city. Though British commanding General William Howe had left a small fleet on the outskirts of Boston Harbor to intercept any arriving British vessels, some unsuspecting ships did make it through to find themselves vastly outnumbered and overpowered by Americans: Archibald Campbell’s 71st Regiment of Foot was among them. Inadvertently sailing into certain defeat, Campbell arrived to immediate resistance on June 17th. In this compelling account of the attack, he writes, “As we stood up for Nantasket Road, an American battery opened upon us, which was the first serious proof we had that there could scarcely be many friends of ours at Boston.” Despite strong resistance, the regiment was quickly captured, and Campbell, along with many of his men, would remain in captivity for nearly two years before being released in exchange for the patriot hero, Ethan Allen. Passed down through the family of Ralph Waldo Emerson (who had written of the event in his ‘Historical Discourse at Concord on the second centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town,’ in September, 1835), this is an extraordinary first-hand account of the capture, marking a historic year in the American Revolution. RR Auction COA.
