Clerke, Sir Francis Carr

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Clerke, Sir Francis Carr

CLERKE, SIR FRANCIS CARR. (1748–1777). British officer. Clerke (the surname is pronounced "Clark") became an ensign in the Third Foot Guards on 3 January 1770 and was promoted to captain on 26 July 1775. As General John Burgoyne's aide-de-camp, he was mortally wounded by Timothy Murphy in battle at Bemis Heights on 7 October 1777 while delivering the orders to withdraw. He died that same night in the tent of General Horatio Gates. His orders were not received, leading to further losses by the British. His letters home from the campaign are notably well written and useful to scholars of the Revolutionary War.

SEE ALSO Murphy, Timothy; Saratoga Surrender.

                         revised by Michael Bellesiles

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