Recording Arnold's treason and André execution - photo 1
Recording Arnold's treason and André execution - photo 2
Recording Arnold's treason and André execution - photo 3
Recording Arnold's treason and André execution - photo 4

Recording Arnold's treason and André execution

Lot 151
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 47 880
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 887929
Lot 151 | Recording Arnold's treason and André execution
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 25 000
AMERCIAN REVOLUTION – Manuscript orderly book, New York, 1 January to 25 October 1780.

168 pages, 193 x 150mm (occasional soiling and losses). Contemporary marbled boards (front board lacking, spine cracked, several pages loose).

An important orderly book from the British garrison in New York during the campaign of 1780 covering Benedict Arnold's appointment as Brigadier General, John André's execution, the Battle of Springfield, as well as Cornwallis' victories in the South. Like most orderly books, each entry begins with the countersign and parole, the officers of the day, followed by the general orders. Of particular interest that cover Arnold's treason and André's execution as a spy. Indeed André's name appears twice in the orderly book. On 28 August, we learn of his appointment as "Adjutant Genl of the Army under his command." Then on 8 October, General Clinton notes André's execution immediately after announcing that he was "pleas'd to appoint Benedict Arnold Esqr Col. Of the Regt with a rank of Briga General 27th September 1780," and then adding, "The commander in Chief does with infinite regret inform the army of the death of the adjutant general (Major Andrea [sic]). The unfortunate fate of this officer, calls upon the commander in chief to declare his opinion that he ever consider'd Major Andrea as a Gentleman (as well as in the line of his military profession) of the highest integrity & honor, incapable of any base action or unworthy conduct. Major Andrea's death is very severely felt by the commander in chief as it assuredly will be by the army, & must prove a real loss to his country & his Majesty's service." André's execution at Tappan proved just as troubling to many Continental officers as well, but in Washington's interpretation of the rules of war, the British major had been caught in plain clothes and had to be considered a spy—for which the customary punishment was by hanging. Arnold, in his new capacity, led raids in Virginia and later mounted a devastating attack on New London, Connecticut, burning most of the town on 4 September 1781.

The orderly book additionally covers other major events of the 1780 campaign, most notably the British victories in the South—welcome news to the garrison considering that the situation in and around New York had been largely a stalemate since late 1778. On 29 May, "General Knyphausen," who had been commanding the garrison in the absence of General Henry Clinton, who was then leading British forces in South Carolina and Georgia, notes the capture of Charleston, in which "the rebels have lost their whole army and fleet in that part of the continent." Closer to home, the book notes minor skirmishes along the lines that divided British-controlled New York from the American positions in New Jersey and Westchester. On 18 April, Knyphausen asks that "his thanks may be given in public orders, to Major de Boye of the Hessian Regt of Boes, for his good conduct in attacking & forcing a body of Rebels, canton'd in Hoppers Town in Jersey upon the morning of the 16th Inst." The general took particular notice of the cavalry "for their determin'd attack upon the different houses possessed by the rebels a that place…" The book also offers insights into daily life, and the means by which bored soldiers amused themselves, most notably "Robbing and plundering," which had "grown so prevalent a custom as to cause the greatest complains upon every occasion…" To remedy the situation, on 6 June, the general ordered that anyone "apprehended of committing the least excess of this kind in taking or plundering from any person or persons whatever shall be hang'd without mercy & the regiment or corps, to which such transgression belong shall pay the value of the stolen goods on the spot." The orderly book's cover has been decorated with doodles including a drawing of ships and of troops ascending a hill. In all, the book offers a valuable picture of daily life in the British garrison in New York in the later stages of the American Revolutionary War.
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>