AMERICAN REVOLUTION LETTER. ALEXANDER SCAMMELL (1747-1781). Autograph Letter Signed. 2 1/2 pages, 4to, Camp MiddleBrook, Jan 3, 1799, to his mother. Apologizes for not having written for a long time, but "my Duty obliges me to exert my abilities to the utmost in the Service of my oppressed struggling Country." He's well, comfortable in "winter Quarters. Our army is well cloathed, & have built themselves very comfortable Barracks. The men are likewise very healthy. A very agreeable reverse to last winter…God grant that the war may soon be over, and that we may all return in peace to our own Homes, where we shall have no one to make us afraid, with hearts fill with Gratitude to the God of Armies, who has so often covered our heads in the day of Battle…Your dutiful Son Alexd Scammel." Small hole in blank area, two small tape stains where description attached to blank area of paper. Framed, with engraved portrait. Entering service as a major, upon George Washington's recommendation Scammel was appointed adjutant general in the Continental army. He fought at Trenton (1776) and Princeton (1777), wounded at Saratoga (1777). In 1780, Washington ordered him to conduct the execution of convicted British spy John André. While on an intelligence-gathering mission during the siege of Yorktown, his unit was surrounded by the British; while surrendering, Scammell was accidentally shot by one of his captors and died the following day. Estimate $300-400
