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September 30, 1785-Dated Engraved Portrait of British Earl, Percy, Historic Revolutionary War Era M

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
September 30, 1785-Dated Engraved Portrait of British Earl, Percy,  Historic Revolutionary War Era M
American Revolution
1785 British Lt-General Hugh Earl Percy Engraved Portrait

Led the “relief column” at the Battle of Lexington and Concord
September 30, 1785-Dated Engraved Portrait of British Earl, Percy, Historic Revolutionary War Era Military Figure, Published by John Fielding, London, 1785, Choice Crisp Mint.
This original print measures 7.5” x 4.5”, being a Plate or Frontispiece from a period British magazine. Hugh Percy (1742 - 1817), was a British Earl with the military rank of Colonel. He famously led the “relief column” at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Percy's intelligent actions probably saved the British forces from complete disaster that day. Percy's illegitimate half brother was James Smithson whose bequest founded the Smithsonian Institution. An exceptional quality period engraved portrait of British Earl Percy.
Lieutenant-General Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742 – 10 July 1817), born Hugh Smithson, was the eldest son of the 1st Duke of Northumberland. He assumed the surname of Percy by Act of Parliament along with his father in 1750 and was styled Lord Warkworth from 1750 until 1766. When his brigade relieved Francis Smith's demoralized troops at the Battle of Lexington, Percy carefully organized his forces so as to provide all-around protection. He also used his two 6 pounder field guns to break up large formations of American militia. Even so, William Heath, who led the colonials, managed to surround the retreating British column with fire during a grueling retreat. When the British found that the bridge over the Charles River in Cambridge was blocked, Percy turned his column down a side road and led them west to Charlestown. "This sudden change of direction, and the brilliant use of an obscure and unexpected road, took the New England men by surprise. It broke the circle of fire around Percy's brigade." When a final colonial force tried to block British progress at Prospect Hill, "Percy advanced his cannon to the front of his column, and cleared the hill with a few well-placed rounds. It was the last of his ammunition for the artillery. Percy's attitude toward New Englanders turned from contempt to grudging respect.

In 1774, he was sent to Boston with the local rank of Brigadier General, Colonel of the 5th Regiment of Foot. His views on the military discipline were ahead of their time. "He detested corporal punishments. At a time when other commanders were resorting to floggings and firing squads on Boston Common, he led his regiment by precept and example." Politically a Whig, he at first sympathized with the colonials, but he soon began to despise their behavior. He led the relief column at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Percy's intelligent actions probably saved the British forces from complete disaster that day.

When his brigade relieved Francis Smith's demoralized troops at Lexington, Percy carefully organized his forces so as to provide all-around protection. He also used his two 6 pounder field guns to break up large formations of American militia. Even so, William Heath, who led the colonials, managed to surround the retreating British column with fire during a grueling retreat. When the British found that the bridge over the Charles River in Cambridge was blocked, Percy turned his column down a side road and led them west to Charlestown. "This sudden change of direction, and the brilliant use of an obscure and unexpected road, took the New England men by surprise. It broke the circle of fire around Percy's brigade." When a final colonial force tried to block British progress at Prospect Hill, "Percy advanced his cannon to the front of his column, and cleared the hill with a few well-placed rounds. It was the last of his ammunition for the artillery. Percy's attitude toward New Englanders turned from contempt to grudging respect.

He wrote, “During the whole affair, the rebels attacked us in a very scattered, irregular manner, but with perseverance and resolution, nor did they ever dare to form into a regular body. Indeed they knew too well what was proper, to do so. Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob, will find himself very much mistaken. They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about, having been employed as rangers against the Indians and Canadians, and this country being very much covered with wood, and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting.”

He was absent from the field during the Battle of Bunker Hill, perhaps due to a quarrel with General Howe, a man with whom Percy could not get along. The following year, Percy commanded a division during the Battle of Long Island and led the storming of Fort Washington. By 1777, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant General but grew so disgusted with the conduct of the war by General Howe that he resigned his command and left America in 1777 after a dispute over a quantity of hay. (From Wikipedia)