Alexander Scammell autograph letter signed ("Alexd. Scammell"). Four pages of a bifolium, 7.25" x 9.5", Camp Middle Brook, [New Jersey]; December 26, 1778. General Washington's trusted adjutant general proposes marriage to his sweetheart. "I hear you are still disengaged & that I have grounds to hope. If that is the Case, my dearest Naby you have sufficiently tryed me to be convinced in your own Breast that I love, that I esteem that I entertain a tender, a most fine Affection for you..." Alexander Scammell (1744-1781) had fought at Bunker Hill and as General Washington's aide in the battle for New York City in 1776. In 1777, as a colonel, he led his New Hampshire Regiment at the Battle of Saratoga. Washington's increased dependency on Scammell's abilities was evidenced by his appointment to adjutant general of the Continental Army in early 1778 and his order to arrest General Charles Lee at the Battle of Monmouth in June of that year. Scammell had been corresponding with his sweetheart Abigail Bishop of Mistic [Medford], Massachusetts, since 1776, but here the lovesick Scammell finally proposes marriage and begs Bishop, whom he calls "Naby," to acquiesce. He insists that if she does, he is confident that Washington, who "is possessed of so much delicacy & generosity", will grant him a leave of absence to return and marry her. He writes, in part: "...I wrote you in my last that I entertain hopes of coming to Mistic this winter. The duty of my Office is so great & of such a Nature that I am apprehensive indeed an well assured that His Excellency will not grant me the Indulgence unless you would generously surmount the supposed disaffection which you think lay in your way and condescend to give me your Hand as soon as I arrived, in that Case the Genl. is possessed of so much Delicacy & generosity, that I am sure he would give me Leave of Absence. I hear you are still disengaged & that I have grounds to hope. If that is the Case, my dearest Naby you have sufficiently tryed me to be convinced in your own Breast that I love, that I esteem that I entertain a tender, a most fine Affection for you...The many happy couple we daily see, the Assertions of those already married, our own Feelings, nay our Duty to Society convince us the married State is the most happy, the most eligible & that we cannot be completely contented till we arrive at that State...The War which seemed the principal Objection in your mind the last happy moment I was with you is nearly closed. I hope next Summer, perhaps this winter will put a period to it. If the most tender love, tryed Affection can make you Happy, I'm sure no person can tribute more to it, than I can. Our long acquaintance, & intimate Connection, renders all reserve, or scruples, unnecessary and superfluous. We are well acquainted with each others minds & disposition, you are the only object of all I hold dear upon Earth you have it in your power to make me the happiest most grateful Husband in the world, whose whole Study would be your Happiness & Contentment...Generously condescend to promise me you will make me happy in the Nuptial Bonds. By which means I shall be able to obtain Liberty to fly to your Arms and convince you that you have bestowed your Affections, & Hand upon a person whose lively sense of Gratitude will ever render him studiously anxious to do every thing in his power to deserve so rich a Blessing..." Signed, "Your Alexd. Scammell." Unfortunately, Naby refused his offer, blaming the continuance of the war. Despite this disappointment, Scammell's career continued to ascend, and he was called upon to supervise the execution of Major John André in 1780. In January 1781, after resigning as adjutant general, Scammell resumed his command of the First N. H. Regiment. On September 30th of that year, he was captured by British troops near Yorktown, Virginia. Whether or not he resisted is unknown, but according to various accounts, he was shot in the back after he surrendered. Scammell was rushed into Yorktown and treated by British General Cornwallis' surgeons. At Washington's request, he was paroled and sent to the hospital at Williamsburg, where he died on October 6, 1781. He was 34-years-old. His grave has never been found. The letter is accompanied by a hand-colored engraving of the "Death of Col. Scammell at the Siege of Yorktown" by J. Halpin. For a complete transcription of Scammell's letter, please visit our website at ha.com. Condition: Letter is window mounted to the overall size of 8.5" x 11". Small paper repair at first page along left edge. Minor scattered soiling with a few stray pinholes. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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