Map of Rye and Hastings, 1779 (Rye, East Sussex, UK) 50°57'04"N 00°44'01"E; (Hastings, East Sussex, UK) 50°51'18"N 00°34'22"E

A map of the country from Rye to Hastings showing the encampments at Playdon Heights, Fairlight, and Westfield Downs, 24 June-24 November 1779. American War of Independence (1775-83). Oriented with north-west to top (compass rose).

This plan gives reconnaissance information showing where on the beach it would be safe for an invading force to land; it also shows the field of fire from batteries at Hastings and Rye. Mileages from Hastings are marked along the roads in red figures against a red cross. The encamped regiments, with the colours of their facings in parentheses, are: Shropshire (green); Montgomery (blue); 13th Foot (yellow).

Additional text: [top centre, a description of the highest ground in the area, the placement of the batteries, a list of distances, and a description of the 'goings' on the salt marshes and and navigability of Tillingham Channel.]

This is one of 31 maps of encampments which are likely to have been drawn up as a set from original field surveys and draft maps between about 1782 (the last encampment ended on 13 November 1782) and sometime in or after 1784 (the date of Bowles's plan of London, RCIN 734032.am). The original field surveys and draft maps from which they will have been compiled would have been made between 1778 and 1782, according to the actual dates of the encampments. The execution date for the fair drawings of the maps of 1783 or later has, however, been assigned to all the encampment maps, consistent with the date of Paterson's commission as Captain in the 36th Foot, with which rank he styles himself on the title page of the volume.

In: 'Plans of Encampments and Dispositions of the Army in Great Britain from 1778 to 1782. Presented to King George III by George Morrison, Quarter Master General. Drawn by Captain Dan. Paterson, 36.^th Reg.^t Assistant to the Quart. Mast. General.' See main entry under RCIN 734032.

BL Add MS 15533: p.63: SURVEY OF THE COUNTRY / FROM / RYE TO HASTINGS / shewing the situation of the / ADVANCED CAMPS / on / PLAYDON HEIGHTS, / FAIRLIGHT AND WESTFIELD DOWNS / under the Command of / MAJ. GEN.^L SLOPER / from 24.^th June to 24.^th Nov.^r / 1779. [Bottom right, outside border:] Survey'd by Lieut.^s Paterson & Green, Assist.^s to the Q.^r M.^r Gen.^l. Watermark: fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters G R below. Notes: oriented with north-north-west to top (compass rose with magnetic north).

Condition: one fold. Verso: bottom right, brown staining and small old repair made with cream-coloured silk ribbon.