1818 Chapman Map or Plan of Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Rare American Revolutionary Era Battle Plan of the Battle on Bunker Hill.

This is an important 1818 map of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Massachusetts, by I. A. Charles. Copied from the original manuscript sketch by Henry De Berniere, which was apparently discovered in a trunk, it depicts the American Revolutionary War Battle plan of the fight at Bunker Hill and surrounding areas. It shows part of Charlestown and part of Boston, and includes roads, buildings and the positions of American and British forces. It also notes the British batteries in Boston.

Fought on June 17, 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. When colonial troops learned of the British’s plans to occupy the hills surrounding Boston in order to gain control of the Harbor, they occupied Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill in preparation of the attack. After two unsuccessful attacks by the British, the British finally succeeded in gaining control of the peninsula. Although the battle was a victory for the British, it resulted in heavy losses for the British, thus discouraging them from any further sorties against the siege lines, and building confidence in the relatively inexperienced colonial troops to stand up to a regular army.

A reference key is included along the left border. This map copied by A. Chapman and engraved by Kneass. Young and Co. for the 1812 issue of the Analectic Magazine, pas published by M. Thomas. One of the few obtainable battle plans of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Cartographers

Henry de Berniere (17?? - 1800) was an ensign and spy in the British Army’s 14th Regiment. Under the command of British General Gage, Captain William Brown and Berniere would disguise themselves as farmers or workers in civilian clothes and venture into the countryside and towns to spy on American battle preparations. Berniere, an artist, would sketch details of the area, and Brown was the logistics expert. They were responsible for helping British troops attack Concord in April 1775.   Further Details...

The Analectic Magazine (1813 - 1820) was an influential early American literary and cultural periodical founded in Philadelphia by publisher Moses Thomas and later continued by printer and editor James Maxwell. Conceived as a sophisticated monthly miscellany, it combined original criticism, biography, analytical reviews of new books, translations from French journals, and selections from prominent British publications, while also providing a forum for emerging American literature and national identity. The celebrated American author, essayist, and historian Washington Irving served as its editor from 1813 to 1814, contributing his own work and securing material from such writers as James Kirke Paulding and Gulian C. Verplanck. During the War of 1812 (1812 - 1815), the magazine developed a strongly patriotic character; its November 1814 issue preserved an important early printing of Francis Scott Key’s Defence of Fort M’Henry, the poem later known as The Star-Spangled Banner and adopted as the United States national anthem in 1931. For part of 1816, the periodical appeared as the Analectic Magazine and Naval Chronicle, reflecting its increased attention to American naval affairs. The magazine also occupies an important place in the history of American printing: its July 1819 issue included Bass Otis’s modest woodland and mill scene, generally recognized as the earliest known dated lithograph produced and published in the United States. Publication ceased in 1820 following Maxwell’s illness.   Further Details...

Condition

Good. Backed on archival tissue. Some minor splitting and stinging. Wear on original fold lines. Professionally repaired. Blank on verso. Right margin extended.

References

OCLC 5566881. Sabin, J., A dictionary of books relating to America: from its discovery to the present time, 12122.