Museum Collections
Luce Center
British military buttons (27) excavated at a Revolutionary War camp
Object name
British military buttons (27) excavated at a Revolutionary War camp
Date
1770-1783
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
largest: 1 in. ( 2.5 cm )
Description
Pewter military buttons; solid pewter buttons with the number, emblem, or symbol of their regiment on front; many have roped border designs and one has a crown above its regiment number.
Credit Line
Gift of the Washington Headquarters Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1947
Object Number
INV.6142.4-30
Marks
stamped: (4-26), on face of button: "57" (57th British Regiment; many of these buttons have roped border designs)
stamped: (27), face: "10" (10th British Regiment)
stamped: (28), face: "RP" (Royal Provincials; British crown above number)
stamped:
Gallery Label
These buttons were excavated by Reginald P. Bolton and others before the formation of the Field Exploration Committee at a sanitary camp that extended east of Broadway, between 196th and Ellwood Streets. The camp was built in the summer of 1779 to quarantine soldiers infected with a fever that was sweeping through the military camps in Washington Heights. The buttons were worn on the uniforms of British privates who were sent to the camp.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.




