[ Autographs ] (BRITISH OFFICER'S CORRESPONDENCE) CHARLES CAMPBELL (d 1780). British army officer who served in America with the 71st Highlander Unit as a Lieutenant, later died leading a company at Camden. A fine correspondence consisting of ten A.L.S.'s, 2-3 pp. each 4to., various places, dated between Dec. 6, 1776 and Oct. 25, 1778 mostly written to his father in Scotland with one letter written by his brother CAPT. JACK CAMPBELL to his sister. The correspondence vividly reveals the struggles a young officer with little money in obtaining promotion and stature in the British Army as well as insights into the daily life of a prisoner of war. In part: "[NearBoston, Dec. 6, 1776]...Doubtless my Dear Father you have heard long ere now that Capt. Maxwell's is one of those unfortunate Companysthat were taken by American Privateers in making Boston, (ignorant of its evacuation)-Since the seventh of June on which our Captivity commenced I have had no opportunity of letting you and my Mother know hat I still add a omit to the list of the army-- Ten to one whether this testimony of my existence and health will ever reach you; it goesto New-York in a Cartel Ship and must there take its chance of being sent by some of the Packets bound to England. I believe, by this time there is a Cartel settled for the six hundred unfortunate Highlanders who are only to blame for not being blessed with the smiles of prosperity. We live in hopes of spending our Christmas with the Army--Perhaps you may think my letter too concise, but when I inform you that to be allowed the use of pen, ink and paper (except under the most restrictions) is a breach of the spurious Magna Charta, whose horrid aspect has already shocked the sensible and feeling part of this Western World, you will applaud American policy, and forgive me..Adieu my dear Father, till I enjoy the liberty of an Englishman!..." Still a prisoner the following summer Campbell again writes from Dunstable on June 1777 to explain the situation: "...In my last latter..I informed you that there had been a Cartel settled for the exchangeof all prisoners of war, and that I hoped to see N. York before the month of December, but some difficulties have arisen since, between the two contending parties, have entirely put a stop to it for the present, and probably during the war. I have therefore applied, and amat present making all the interest I can, to procure my enlargement...I beg of you my dear Father, to let no opportunity escape of getting me preferred...As all letters that are wrote from this must be open. Icannot write you more fully at present..." In the meantime, Charles's brother Jack was having problems of his own. Quartered near New Brunswick, N.J. June 20, [1777] he begs his sister to send him more money "...Our Regiment being quartered near York this last inter, I was often there & unluckily for we got acquainted with the chief people of the town as well as of the Army, by being often at head quarters...and there being Play gong forward in most of the Houses, and my begin always engaged somewhere, seeing that every body that came there joined, I was at last mad enough to be persuaded and at first won some money, which gave me great spirits and encouraged me togo farther, but alas, I soon lost all & L40 besides, which now distresses me very much...I therefore took the liberty of writing you confident that you would do all in your power to relieve me...I am determined I shall never live to be a disgrace to my family when so many glorious deaths offer..." Jack adds that he had sent her an account "...of a late expedition where I acted as aide de Camp to General Agnew..." Agnew led British regulars under Tyron in the raid and burning of Danbury in April 77 By December 1777, Charles was finally on parole in New York and from there wrote his father describing his captivity in more detail: "...the Officers were admitted upon parole, the men cantoned in the country. We stayed away twelve months of our time in the same house, and considering our situation and the rage of the times, tolerably comfortable; but the latter part of my captivity exhibits a different picture. Under the slightest and most frivolous pretenses, I was dragged from my house, by an armed banditti and cast in the common Country goal, there I lay six long dreary months and might have layed till the end of the rebellion, had not the controlling power, in Boston after written solicitations, permitted me to come here upon my parole of sending an American Officer in exchange for me..." Charles then requests more money from his father citing the high prices due to the war and adding"...Tho' these facts may appear ridiculous in the age of reason, they are not the less true..." Charles' next letter, dated New York, Jan. 29, 1778 found him "...detached from the grand army at Philadelphia tobe quartered upon Long and Staten Island; this is very unlucky for me,as it prevents my going to head quarters during the winter, and thereby deprives me of a fair opportunity of promotion. A Highland regiment is not the place to get on in. I have been now upwards of twoyears in the 71st. and during that period have got not one step. I could have purchased a Company t'other day for two thousand pounds buthe price frightened me, and I now blame myself for being so timorous. There is no getting up in this army without giving extravagant prices and I believe before the commencement of the campaign, I will be forced to give one..." In another letter of the same day, Charles complains to his uncle "...that Companys, Majoritys, and Lieut. Colonecys sell higher now, than ever: four thousand pounds sterling has been given for a Majority. I myself, could have had a Company... but the smallness of my Father's fortune...dissuaded me from being thepurchaser...Promotion in this Country depends entirely upon the weightof a man's purse, which will force me, either to give an extravagant price, or remain a humble Lieut. during the war, and see every body purchase over my head. I heard a few weeks ago from Jack...he is beloved by his troops, and much noticed by the people in power. He is almost continually at head quarters, and liked by the General..." In between his near constant self-pity over his financial situation, he adds comments regarding the war. On July 22, 1778 he remarks to his father while encamped near Kingsbridge: "...To describe our situation at present can hardly be done by a man of passions, and a lover of hisCountry without dipping into politics, and of course being of a party which at present would be impudent. But be it known to the disgrace ofBritain that one of the finest a fleet for their number as ever ploughed the main, is at present blocked up by 14 sail of the French line..." Again and again, Charles requests his father and uncle to secure him a company to lead noting in the letter of Oct. 24, 1778 that: "...Promotions in this army unless by purchase, generally go by seniority in the line...When I embarked for America,...my prospects great, but how are the tables turned! 11 younger Lieuts than myself...have got Companys, and I remain as I was...Would you believe that I amconsidered by the whole army as the most unfortunate fellow alive? I have lost rank, which neither money, interest, nor fortune herself canrestore..." If he were unable to gain a command Charles would "... rather estrange myself from my native Country, than be purchased over by every bepowered upstart who can scrape together two thousand pounds.." and concludes "I am tied down to no clime, or to no master; I am asoldier of fortune, and must score when I get the best encouragement.." Charles Campbell's finally did achieve his ambitions, losing his life leading his men in the battle of Camden a year and a half later. A fine correspondence. E2,000-3,000 On the "...reformation of the Navy Department"