Lady Harriet Ackland5941
Depicted standing in a rowboat on the Hudson River appealing to a sentry at the American camp for permission to come ashore.
Drawn and engraved by Robert Pollard, with acqutinta by Francis Jukes, published by Pollard, No.7 Brayne’s Row Spa Fields, 1784.
A rare and fine engraving celebrating the pluck of Lady Harriet Ackland, shown here in a boat on the Hudson River going to the aid of her injured husband, who was captured by the Americans during the Battle of Saratoga.
The title band, with legend cut from beneath the engraving and pasted behind, details the story of the scene: “This amiable Lady accompanied her Husband to Canada in the Year 1776, & during two Campaigns, under went such fatigue & distress as female fortitude was thought incapable of supporting; and once She narrowly escaped with life from her Tent which was set on fire in the Night. The Event here commemorated deserves to be recorded in History. In the unfortunate Action between G. Burgoyne & G. Gates Oct,, 7, 1777, Major Ackland was wounded & made Prisoner, when his Lady received the news She formed the heroic Resolution of delivering herself into the hands of the Enemy that she might attend him during the Captivity For this purpose, with a Letter from G. Burgoyne to G. Gates, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Brudinell who carried a Flag of Truce, one female servant, & her husbands Valet, she rowed down Hudsons River in an open boat towards the American Camp, but Night coming on before she reached their outposts the Guards on duty refused to receive her & threatned to fire upon her if she moved till morning In this dreadful situation for 7 or 8 dark & cold hours, she was compelled to wait on the Water half dead with anxiety & terror. The morning put an end to her distress, she was receiv’d by Gen. Gates & restored to her husband with that politeness & humanity her sex, quality, & Virtue so justly merited. See G. Burgoynes Narrative”
The engraved image in good condition but cut uneven and within the plate mark.
The title, previously pasted to the reverse, as now, has suffered as to be expected from being exposed and not behind glass for some 240 years.
Within a faithful copy of a period print frame.
o.s: 23 3/8 in x 17 3/8 in
