Description:

THE MAN WHO ACEPTED THE COLORS AT CORNWALLIS' SURRENDER - ROBERT WILSON'S TEA CADDY AND CREAM PITCHER
A fine and important group of relics from Ensign ROBERT WILSON (1755-1811), the youngest commissioned officer in the Continental Army who at Yorktown accepted the surrender of the colors of 28 British regiments from their captains. Included in this lot is an oval pewter tea cozy, 5 1/2" across, 4" tall and 4" wide. The front and rear are engraved with floral wreath joined near the top, and Wilson's monogram appears on both sides. The hinged top lid bears lines and dots radiating from the center and bears period engraving: "Used in camp in the war of the Revolution 1781". There is a simple lock, but the key is not present. Also included is a matching cream pitcher bearing Wilson's monogram within a shield, lace-like trim above, and similar leafy engraving at the edge. A letter from his mother is present, 2pp. 8vo., [n.p., ca. 1786], written during Indian hostilities along New York's Mohawk River. In part: "...I had the pleasure of receiving some time ago: The greatest happiness I can enjoy...to hear of the health and wellfare of you...to hear that you have compleated your Service without having rec'd a Wound...now that these scenes of blood shed are over..." Finally, there is included a broadside, 12" x 13 1/4", Manlius, N.Y., Apr. 22, 1807 headed "TO the People of Onondaga County" and signed in type by Wilson in which he attacks the publishers of "Plain Truth" for maligning his reputation. Four pieces. After Gen. Benjamin Lincoln had accepted (and returned) Cornwallis' sword, twenty-eight British captains, each bearing a flag in a case, were drawn up in line. Opposite to them, at a distance of six paces, twenty-eight American sergeants were placed in line to receive the colors. When Wilson, in charge of the proceedings, gave the order for the British captains to advance to deliver up their colors, they hesitated, and gave as a reason that they were unwilling to surrender their flags to non-commissioned officers. Col. Alexander Hamilton ordered Wilson to receive them himself, and hand them to the American sergeants, which he did. When the colors were surrendered, the whole royal army laid down their arms.

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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