Alexander Scammell

SCAMMELL, Alexander, soldier, born in Mendon (now Milford), Massachusetts, probably in 1746; died in Williamsburg, Virginia, 6 October, 1781. He was graduated at Harvard in 1769, and taught in Kingston and Plymouth, Massachusetts.  

In 1771 he went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and in the following year he was employed by the government in exploring and surveying land and timber for the royal navy, and in assisting to make surveys for a map of New Hampshire. Also he served on board a sloop-of-war to transmit dispatches, plans, and reports to the plantation office in Great Britain. Later he studied law with John Sullivan in Durham, New Hampshire until 1775.  

On 14 December, 1774, he was of the force under John Sullivan, John Langdon, and others that captured William and Mary Fort, Newcastle, and secured its arms and 96 barrels of powder, one of the first overt acts of the Revolution, which was declared treason by the royal governor.  

While Sullivan was a member of the Continental congress Scammell had charge of his legal affairs, which detained him from joining the army at Cambridge. When his preceptor was appointed major-general in the Revolutionary army, Scammell was made a brigade-major. On 10 December, 1776, he became colonel of the 3d New Hampshire regiment, and he was transferred later to the 1st regiment.  

In 1777 his regiment was ordered to the northern army under General Horatio Gates. In that campaign he was notably active, and was wounded at Saratoga, 5 January. 1778. He was appointed adjutant-general of the American army, and consequently became a member of General Washington's military family. Preferring active command and the post of danger, in March, 1781, he was given command of a chosen regiment of light infantry, and on 30 September, at the siege of Yorktown, as officer of the day. While reconnoitering the enemy's position, he was captured by Hessian dragoons, and wounded. After his surrender, on request of General Washington, Cornwallis permitted him to be taken to Williamsburg, where he died.