60 Great Books - 13 - Bauman Rare Books “Let All New England Rise And Crush Burgoyne” (Washington): Exceedingly Scarce First Edition Of Burgoyne’s Account Of His 1777 Surrender To American Revolutionary Forces At Saratoga, “One Of The Best Sources Of The Campaign” Streeter), With Six Large Hand-Colored Folding Maps Engraved By Faden 11. BURGOYNE, John. A State of the Expedition from Canada, as Laid Before the House of Commons. London, 1780. Quarto, modern three-quarter brown calf, marbled boards and endpapers; pp. i-viii, 1-140, i-lxii, [2]. $13,500. First edition of British officer Burgoyne’s dramatic justification of his 1777 defeat by American Revolutionary forces at Saratoga, “the turning point” in the war that “brought France openly into the struggle” (Wood, American Revolution), containing six large engraved folding maps and plans with hand-colored details, two with hinged overslips illustrating changes in troop positions and movements, handsomely bound. On the “evening of 4 July, the second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” Burgoyne’s forces surrounded the Americans at Fort Ticonderoga and pursued the colonial army in its flight up river. Burgoyne’s success seemed certain, until, in August, he wrote of “sinister events” (Weintraub, 114). It was at this point that Washington “saw his opportunity. ‘Now,’ he said, ‘let all New England rise and crush Burgoyne,” and he sent as many troops into the battle as he could spare (Hibbert, 182). In late September, Burgoyne’s army faced 20,000 American soldiers entrenched at Behmus’ Heights, and he led a bloody if futile attack. General Gates, however, “would not allow him to escape; he harassed every mile of the retreat, and at last surrounded him at Saratoga. All Burgoyne’s provisions and ammunition were expended, and he found himself obliged to surrender on October 17, 1777” (DNB). Although Burgoyne’s campaign was intended to end the colonial rebellion, his defeat at “Saratoga was the turning point.” Not only had an American force been victorious in the field, but an American army had defeated a British army. This “brought France openly into the struggle. And it led to a change in the British command and a fundamental alteration in strategy” (Wood, American Revolution, 81). Recognizing that his military reputation had been severely damaged, Burgoyne published A State of the Expedition, in which he defends the campaign’s strategy. “The work is one of the best sources on the campaign” (Streeter). With six large hand-colored folding maps: “part of a series of the battles of the American Revolution engraved and issued by William Faden” (two with hinged overrslips) (Adams 80-12a). Containing an extensive appendix featuring Burgoyne’s letters, speeches, journals and minutes. Howes B968. Sabin 9255. Streeter II:794. Text very fresh, only light offsetting to maps, much lighter than usual, occasional small closed tears at foldlines. A handsome about-fine copy.
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