Author: (BRIG GENERAL ARMSTRONG -- WAR OF 1812)
Title: Brig General Armstrong 1817-1882
Description: Hardcover. On September 26, 1814 the American privateer "General Armstrong" (named after Continental Congressman John Armstrong Jr. a U.S. Army general) under the command of Captain Samuel C. Reid was docked at the Portuguese port of Fayal in the Azores when three British warships on their way to the Caribbean to join a flotilla for the Battle of New Orleans decided to violate international laws of neutrality and instead attack. Under the command of Robert Lloyd, the British ships finally succeeded in scuttling the American brig, though they suffered 65 killed and 117 wounded in the process while the Americans lost only two; the American crew escaped to land. The incident was an enormous tactical error that swung the War of 1812 in the direction of the Americans, for it gave General Andrew Jackson time to reach New Orleans and prepare for the battle. It was also a public relations disaster for the British, becoming a sensation in popular songs, poems, books and colorful prints. Collection of six pamphlets, bound chronologically. Small 4to. Hand-lettered vellum spine and green paper over boards. 3pp; 24pp; 150pp; 28pp; 5pp; 25pp. Very good. Mild age toning and faint soiling to binding; first couple pamphlets rather age toned, with bit of dampstaining, but remainder clean, handsome and tight. Pamphlets, in order, consist of: 1) Frederick Jenkins and Rensselaer Havens, "In Senate of the United States. January 23, 1817." N.p.: N.p. [1817]. 2) "Memorial of Sam. C. Reid, Jr. In behalf of the claimants of the brig General Armstrong, praying indemnity." [Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1854]. 33d Congress, 1st Session, Mis. Doc. No. 14. 3) "In the Senate of the United States.. The Court of Claims submitted the following Report.. Claimants Brig General Armstrong vs. The United States." [Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1858]. 35th Congress, 1st Session, Mis. Doc. No. 142. 4) "Owners of Brig General Armstrong. Memorial of Sam. C. Reid, in Behalf of the captains, owners, officers, and crew of the late United States private armed brig General Armstrong, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns." [Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1879]. 46th Congress, 1st Session, Mis. Doc. No. 16. 5) "Brig General Armstrong.. Report.. for the relief of the captain, owners, officers, and crew of the United States private-armed brig General Armstrong.." [Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1880]. 46th Congress, 2d Session, Report No. 1014. 6) "In the Senate of the United States.. Report.. for the relief of the captain, owners, officers, and crew of the late United States private-armed brig General Armstrong, their heirs, executors, administrators, agents, or assigns, report the said bill with an amendment, and recommend its passage." [Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1881]. 47th Congress, 1st Session, Report No. 270. An interesting and unusual assemblage spanning 65 years, obviously gathered by someone intensely interested in the outcome of the financial claims made afterward -- makes you wonder if it belonged to one of the "heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns" often referred to!.

Keywords: Military History


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