BRITISH GENERAL WILLIAM PHILLIPS WRITES TO AN AMERICAN GENERAL WHILE A PRISONER WITH THE CONVENTION ARMY

WILLIAM PHILLIPS (1731-1781). Phillips was a British Army officer who served in the American Revolution. Phillips was part of the Convention Army of British and British-allied soldiers who became prisoners of war after General John Burgoyne’s surrender in 1777.

WILLIAM HEATH (1737-1814).  A Revolutionary War general from Massachusetts, Heath fought at Bunker Hill.  In January 1777, Heath, with 6,000 troops, so bungled the attack on Fort Independence in New York, garrisoned by 2,000 troops, that Washington reprimanded him.  He was placed in command of the Eastern district stationed in Boston.

LS. 1pg. April 22, 1778. Cambridge, [Massachusetts]. A letter signed “W Phillips” written while an American prisoner of war as part of the Convention Army. Phillips wrote to Continental Major General William Heath who was in charge of the Convention Army: “Sir Upon receiving your letter dated Yesterday I gave out the enclosed Orders, to which I have received the report herein sent you. The letters which are to go by the Flag of Truce over lake Champlain into Canada are all ready; as they are only Duplicates of those sent by Captain Willoe, I am to desire to know if you will have them sent into Boston for your own perusal, or whether your Depy. Adj.t General might not read them here, and I will request that the Officer who goes to Canada may set out as soon as conveniently may be, I am Sir, Your Humble Servant W Phillips”. The letter and flag of truce that Phillips refers to probably relate to year-long diplomatic debate regarding the status of the Convention Army. It is in very good condition.