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LOT #42008 |
Starting Bid: $10,000
Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel Letter Signed...
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Description
On the Eve of the Second Battle of Saratoga, Baron Riedesel Rejects General Horatio Gates' Plea to Exchange Ethan Allen
Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel Letter Signed
("Riedesel") to General Horatio Gates. Three pages of a
bifolium (separated at the integral fold), 7 3/4 x 12 3/4 inches;
"Camp near the heights of Behmas's house" [Bemis Heights,
near Saratoga]; October 2, 1777. Docketed on the verso.Writing just five days before the decisive engagement at Bemis Heights, Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, commander of the German contingents in General Burgoyne's army, responds to General Horatio Gates regarding a proposed exchange for the American officer Ethan Allen.
Riedesel firmly rebuffs Gates' request, explaining that Allen, long held by British authorities, is considered a prisoner of state and therefore beyond the authority of field commanders to exchange. Still, he leaves open the possibility of an exchange of other officers, requesting the temporary release of two of his own to settle regimental accounts. Riedesel writes, in full:
"Sir,
Cornet Graffe whom you permitted to come to our Camp for five days, to make me a report of the rounded up Prisoners of the Troops of his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick, has informed me, that you were very anxious for the Release of Colonel Ethan Allen, & and that you had requested his Excellency General Burgoyne to exchange him for Major Meybom & Captain Bartling. I should with pleasure do anything in my power to support your request, but you must, on reflection, be sensible that neither General Burgoyne, or General Clinton can pretend to dispose of a Prisoner, long under the orders of his Excellency Sr. Wm. Howe & who is looked upon as a Prisoner of State not of War. Should you be desirous to exchange our Officers, for an equal Number of your's [sic], who have been made Prisoners of War, I imagine General Burgoyne would consent to such a proposal & a proper Time and Place may be fixed upon to negotiate this matter. In the meantime, I shall take it as a favor if you will permit Captain Fricke of the Regiment of Dragoons, and Lieutenant Gebhard of the Battalion of Grenadiers, to come to my Camp for one month. These officers have acted as Paymasters to their respective Regiments, and are much wanted to settle their accounts. You may depend upon their returning at the limited time.
Cornet Graffe goes back this day, according to his promise & have desired him to return you my thanks for the great care that has been taken of our wounded.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient humble servant
Riedesel."
At the time of writing, Ethan Allen had been in British captivity for more than two years, having been captured during the failed American Invasion of Montreal in September 1775. His notoriety as a leader of the Green Mountain Boys had earned him a particularly noxious reputation among the British, and Riedesel knew that neither of his commanders would easily allow Allen's release. Indeed, Allen would remain in British custody until May 1778.
Meanwhile, the end of the Saratoga Campaign drew near. Since mid-September, Burgoyne's army had been engaged in a desperate struggle against American forces. Riedesel, commanding the Brunswick troops and allied Native forces, had fared better than his compatriots in the prolonged conflict by adapting to the combat conditions of the American wilderness, but it was becoming increasingly clear that the enemy were gaining ground.
On October 7, 1777, the situation collapsed. American forces under Gates, with a decisive assault led by Benedict Arnold, overwhelmed the British at Bemis Heights. Burgoyne's army was forced into retreat and ultimately surrendered on October 17. Riedesel was taken prisoner along with more than 6,000 British and German troops. His wife, Frederika Riedesel, wrote her own widely read account of the campaign, including her harrowing experiences during the siege.
In all, American losses totaled approximately 90 killed and more than 240 wounded, while British and allied forces suffered roughly 440 killed and 695 wounded. The surrender at Saratoga proved a turning point in the war, securing critical French support for the American cause.
Condition: Please see high resolution images of this lot online. Somewhat toned with flattened folds; separated at the integral fold. Wear, including small chips and separations throughout, with evidence of extensive repairs. Several instances of adhesive- and dampstaining. Still, a very good example considering age and wartime handling.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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19th
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19th
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