Charles Campbell, 3 A.LL.S. New York 1777-1778
1777
MSS L2018F31.1-3
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Title
Charles Campbell, 3 A.LL.S. New York 1777-1778
Published
New York 1777-1780
Description
[3] items ; 23 cm.
Call Number
MSS L2018F31.1-3
Note
Charles Campbell, Scottish Highlander, was taken prisoner before his ship even docked in America, spent 18 months a prisoner in Boston & sent to New York.
[No. 1]-[no. 2]. letters written to his father, Patrick Campbell, December 15, 1777 and January 29, 1778 -- [no. 3]. letter written to his uncle, January 29, 1778.
He describes his initial period of captivity as "tolerably comfortable" in a private house, until "under the slightest and most frivolous pretences, I was dragged from my house by an armed banditti and cast into the common county goal; there I lay six long dreary months."
His main complaint, however, is about how his captivity prevented his chances of promotion in this regiment and he writes in detail about the practice and expense of purchasing rank: "I could have purchased a company t'other day for two thousand pounds, but the price frightened me, and I now blame myself for being so timorous. There is no going up, in this army, without giving extravagant prices ..."
In his third letter to his uncle: "You will be surprised when I inform you that companys, majoritys, and Lieut Colonelcys [sic] sell higher now, than ever: four thousand pounds sterling has been given for a majority. I myself could have had a company for two, but the smallness of my father's fortune, and the number who have, as natural a claim upon it as myself dissuaded me from being the purchases ... Promotion in this country depends entirely upon the weight of a man's purse ..."
[No. 2] letter: with red wax seal.
[No. 1]-[no. 2]. letters written to his father, Patrick Campbell, December 15, 1777 and January 29, 1778 -- [no. 3]. letter written to his uncle, January 29, 1778.
He describes his initial period of captivity as "tolerably comfortable" in a private house, until "under the slightest and most frivolous pretences, I was dragged from my house by an armed banditti and cast into the common county goal; there I lay six long dreary months."
His main complaint, however, is about how his captivity prevented his chances of promotion in this regiment and he writes in detail about the practice and expense of purchasing rank: "I could have purchased a company t'other day for two thousand pounds, but the price frightened me, and I now blame myself for being so timorous. There is no going up, in this army, without giving extravagant prices ..."
In his third letter to his uncle: "You will be surprised when I inform you that companys, majoritys, and Lieut Colonelcys [sic] sell higher now, than ever: four thousand pounds sterling has been given for a majority. I myself could have had a company for two, but the smallness of my father's fortune, and the number who have, as natural a claim upon it as myself dissuaded me from being the purchases ... Promotion in this country depends entirely upon the weight of a man's purse ..."
[No. 2] letter: with red wax seal.
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