Jun 27, 2024 - Sale 2675

Sale 2675 - Lot 38

Price Realized: $ 3,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1778.) Proceedings of a Court-Martial, Held . . . . for the Trial of Col. David Henley. [4], 120, 113-147, [1] pages as issued, including half-title. 8vo, disbound; minimal dampstaining near end. In modern folding case. London: J. Almon, 1778
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Additional Details

First English edition. Colonel David Henley was a colonel in the Continental Army, placed in charge of the British prisoners who had been captured in Saratoga. He was not popular among the prisoners. In one incident, when a British corporal spoke to him in an insolent manner, Henley jabbed him with a bayonet, drawing blood, and had to be restrained from stabbing him a second time. In another case, a British prisoner helped one of his comrades escape from the guardhouse, and was killed. General Burgoyne, the senior officer among the prisoners, filed a formal complaint. A court martial was held, with the prisoner Burgoyne allowed to serve as prosecutor. Henley was acquitted after more than a month of testimony.

Henley was later General Washington's spymaster; the Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security is named in his honor. Adams, American Controversy 78-44; Howes H412 ("aa"); Sabin 31344. Only one of any edition at auction since 1995.