Description:

ALEXANDER SCAMMELL
(1744 - 1781) Officer in the Continental Army, fought at Bunker Hill and, as Washington's aide, in the Battle for New York City in 1776; fought at the Battle Saratoga, arrested Charles Lee at Monmouth and supervised the execution of John Andre. Captured by British troops near Yorktown in September 1781 and shot during his surrender. Rare A.L.S. "Alexdr Scammell" 2pp. legal folio, West Point, July 23, 1779, to Naby Bishop, in part: "...It gave me very sensible pain to hear of your misfortune last Winter whereby you was [sic] deprived of partaking in the winter Amusements, but am peculiarly happy in being informed that you have got well again. Tho far distant from you, I sympathize in your felicity or adversity equally the same as if we were connected in the last tender ties. My dear Girl I have wrote you lately a Number of long Letters the last by Col Carlton [sic], but fear neither of them have reached you, as I haven't heard a syllable from you or any of my Mistic friends a number of Months since Esqr Brooks has observed a mortifying Silence. I can't support I am totally forgot by you and my other friends...I must not suppose myself so unhappy. I have repeatedly urged you to consent to make me happy and that I should continue still in the Service. I have urged everything a man could who was seeking after happiness...Generously write me your Consent and I will come to Mistic this Fall...I can't possibly obtain permission for any other terms. I must again repeat my Request that you write every Opportunity to yrs tenderly...". Scammell had been in love with Abigail "Naby" Bishop of Mistic (Medford), Massachusetts; she, however, refused to marry him as long as he continued in the army. It has been said that Alexander Scammell was easy to get along with and that he could approach General Washington ("His Excellency") with a familiarity that no other officer could get away with, so he knew he could get permission to leave his post if Naby said yes. He wrote a number of letters to her over the years, but it is unclear whether she ever returned his affections. Edges a bit ragged, folds and a small hole here and there, overall very good condition. Sold with a fine tinted vintage engraving.

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May 9, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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