Lot 268

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Description:

2ND CONTINENTAL LIGHT DRAGOONS PAY ROSTER
Historic manuscript D.S., 6pp. folio, [n.p.], Jan. 1, 1783, a roster of the members of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, tabulating their pay for the years 1780 and 1781, before they were reorganized as the 2nd Legionary Corps. The roster lists the names of 272 of the unit''s members, beginning with the unit''s commander, Col. ELISHA SHELDON, and itemizes the outstanding balance each soldier is owed for each year. A number of historically important names appear on this roster, including: Maj. BENJAMIN TALLMADGE (1754-1835), leader of the very successful Culper Ring of spies in British-occupied New York; Lt. Col. JOHN JAMESON (1751-1810), who arrested British spy John Andre and inadvertently tipped off Benedict Arnold; ELIJAH CHURCHILL (1755-1841), one of only three soldiers to receive the Badge of Military Merit - the precursor to the Purple Heart - for his valor in the capture of Fort St. George; and LEMUEL COOK (1759-1866), one of the last verifiable surviving veterans of the Revolutionary War. The document is signed twice on behalf of the members of the unit by one of its captains, WILLIAM STANTON. Some chipping at the edges, with slight foxing, else very good. The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as "Sheldon''s Horse" after its commander, participated in several notable battles of the Revolutionary War, including Brandywine, Saratoga, Germantown, and Yorktown. Rarely serving as a complete unit, elements of the regiment comprised George Washington''s Life Guards, while others performed raids against British and Loyalist positions on Long Island, and defended citizens in Connecticut and New York from Loyalist partisans, earning them the nickname "Watchdogs of the Highlands". The unit was further responsible for guarding John Andre during his trial and execution, and its members were known as "Washington''s Eyes" for their intelligence work.

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December 10, 2016 11:00 AM EST
Wilmington, DE, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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