Second to None

This blog discusses one of the last senior officers to fall in the campaign that ended the war: Alexander Scammell. There are many First Patriots in what I call the "second tier" of fame (but not importance). The "first tier" includes those most Americans learn about in school and in popular history: Washington, Greene, Knox, Von Steuben, Lafayette, Marion, Hamilton, and others. Like in all wars, the American War for Independence had many lesser-known figures, many of whom played very important yet less celebrated roles crucial to the war's ultimate success.

Alexander Scammell

Accomplished in Peace

John Sullivan

Alexander Scammell was born in 1744 in Milford, Massachusetts. His father died when he was six, and he and his brother went to live with a minister until he attended Harvard. After graduating from Harvard in 1769, he taught school near Plymouth, Massachusetts. In 1772, he moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he engaged in surveying and exploring the lands of the Royal Navy Timber. He also taught school at Berwick and occasionally assisted in making surveys for his Topographical Map of New Hampshire. It’s likely that these activities gave Scammell an eye for the land, which would prove useful in the military. Despite these diverse interests, Scammell eventually decided to study law (go figure), and in 1774, he went to Durham to study under John Sullivan, a prominent attorney.

A Call to Arms

By that time, New England was caught up in war fever, and Sullivan, along with Scammell, became part of it. Scammell participated in a raid organized by Sullivan against the British outpost Fort William and Mary in December 1774. This likely prepared him for an active role in the upcoming conflict. He was appointed a major in the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, part of Sullivan's Brigade, and served during the siege of Boston and later in the ill-fated invasion of Canada, where Sullivan played a controversial role. Sullivan's brigade returned to Fort Ticonderoga by mid-July 1776, and Scammell became the dedicated aide de camp to the fiery general. 

At the Siege of Boston

However, in September, he was sent to New York City and fought in the Battle of Long Island. As Washington's army regrouped after losing New York, Scammell was appointed Assistant Adjutant General for Charles Lee's division, which was often divisive. A month later, in November 1776, he was promoted to colonel and soon took command of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment. Since the regiment was still forming, Scammell joined the 1st and 2nd regiments under Colonel John Stark, another Tier 2 First Patriot, as they moved south to join Washington's army on the west bank of the Delaware. He crossed the Delaware with Washington and fought in both the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. At Princeton, he helped rally the troops and turn what was nearly a defeat into a victory.

Long Island 1776 Battle Pass

From  Line Officer to Staff Officer to Counter-Spy

In June 1777, he commanded the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment at Fort Ticonderoga under Major General Arthur St. Clair. But St. Clair abandoned the fortress to the advancing British forces under General Burgoyne. Nevertheless, the regiment's escape allowed it to fight at Saratoga, where Scammell distinguished himself at Freeman's Farm and Bemis Heights. Just two days after Burgoyne's surrender, the regiment marched south to winter quarters at Valley Forge. 

At Burgoyne Surrenders at Saratoga

There, Washington appointed Scammell as the Adjutant General of the Continental Army. Scammell clearly demonstrated unique military and organizational skills to earn such a key position when the army was at its lowest point. In an interesting twist of Yankee Doodle Spies, Scammell was appointed as the executioner for the British spy, Major John André, in October 1780. Scammell became so upset over this task that he requested and received another field command. Aside from the espionage connection, one of the themes in Yankee Doodle Spies is protagonist Jeremiah Creed's desire to leave espionage and return to a line command. The connection, however, is purely coincidental.

Fall of Duty

In early 1781, Scammell was appointed commander of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment. However, in the spring of that year, he was assigned to lead a light infantry detachment that became known as Scammell's Light Infantry. This elite unit fought at King's Bridge (The Bronx) and served as the vanguard for the Continental Army's historic march to Yorktown. Upon its arrival, it became part of The Light Infantry Division. 

As the decisive campaign of the war neared its end, Colonel Alexander Scammell seemed destined for fame. But on the morning of September 30th, Scammell was serving as Field Officer-of-the-Day. This role made him responsible for sentries, scouts, passage of lines, or anything requiring immediate action. The trapped General Cornwallis had decided to strengthen his defense lines by abandoning his outer works around Yorktown. 

Yorktown

At dawn that day, Scammell's pickets discovered an abandoned redoubt near the road to Williamsburg. Recognizing a potential opportunity to advance the siege, the former surveyor led a reconnaissance of the recently abandoned British fortifications. It cost him his life. As he advanced on the outpost, he became separated from his scouting party. Then he spotted a cavalry patrol. In the mists, he thought it was American, but it turned out to be Tarleton's dragoons. 

Tarleton's Dragoons

Banastre Tarleton was a notorious British officer whose men were known to give little quarter. The horsemen surrounded Scammell, and during or after his surrender, the brave New Englander was shot in the back. His men could only watch as their wounded officer was taken into captivity at Yorktown. The British surgeons treated Scammell as best they could. Due to the seriousness of his wound, Cornwallis soon paroled him. He was sent to Williamsburg (now in American hands) to recover but died on October 6th, just weeks before Yorktown fell to the Allies.

Legacy Denied

A little personal background to share about the noble patriot. Scammell was tall for his era, over six feet with pale eyes. He had a straightforward manner that endeared him to his troops, his peers, and most of all—George Washington. Scammell had a great sense of humor and famously entertained the commander in chief with his tales. 

Up until the end, Alexander Scammell served his country selflessly. He had given up property and a promising law career to join the glorious cause. A few years earlier, then in his mid-thirties, Scammell lamented in a letter about ever finding a wife because of the length and nature of his service. While others like Alexander Hamilton went in and out of service as it suited them, he remained in service throughout the eight-year conflict. 

Might Scammell Have Led the Assault?

Scammell had an almost Forrest Gump-like knack for being at pivotal moments of the war and serving with key figures. Had he lived, the gallant Colonel Alexander Scammell might have been the officer leading the Light Infantry against Redoubt Number 10 at Yorktown instead of Alexander Hamilton. And who knows what greatness his character and leadership might have brought to the new nation after the war? Many with fewer wartime accomplishments went on to important political and diplomatic posts. But something tells me Alexander Scammell would have been happy back in New England with his law books and a loving wife.