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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 154

(x) A letter in which Major General John Savage of the Royal Marines recounts to Admiral Sir James Saumarez the Battle of St. Vincent on 14 February 1797, for whom he acted as Aide-de-Camp, detailing how the Spanish flagship allegedly offered a truce flag - which was not acknowledged by the British nor ever reported to the Admiralty

Autograph letter addressed to Sir James Saumarez, written and signed by John Savage at Woolwich, dated 23 February 1816, minor pinholes along folds, slight edge wear, text legible, an interesting letter

Retrospective letter responds to an earlier letter from Saumarez, and recalls Savage’s experience during the action whilst serving on board Saumarez’s ship Orion. Savage describes how at one point he saw a white flag being flown from the Spanish flagship Santissima Trinidada. He details:

'...the Orion being then abreast of the Santissima Trinidada, I observed that Ship had a White Flag thrown over her Starboard Quarters, which I considered my duty (as I was acting as your Aid de Camp, the Marines being quartered at the Guns) to report to you - but before I could communicate this circumstance the White Flag disappeared. On my telling you what I had seen, your reply was I am glad Captain Savage to hear it, but as they have hauled it in we can pay no attention to it… I also recollect your telling me after you had been on board the Victory that you had mentioned my observations to Sir J. Jervis and that he regretted not knowing the circumstance before, as he should have reported it in his official letter.'


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£100 to £140

Starting price
£80