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On August 12, 1775, American Captain William Bradford seized the British transport ship Hope on the Delaware River. The ship contained 7,500 suits of clothing and other apparel destined for the 22nd British Foot Regiment stationed in Boston. Washington recommended the uniforms be used to outfit American troops. Continental Congress approved and this officer's button was among the "…21 groce Large Buttons, 59 do Small ditto, [and] A bundle Containing Buttons" sent to his headquarters that month.

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Datec. 1775

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueBrass, bone

DimensionsOverall: 7/8 in. x 7/8 in. x 1/4 in. (2.22 cm x 2.22 cm x 0.64 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. M. Lee Shaffer, and Charles Conrad Krumbhaar, Jr., in memory of Mrs. Charles A. Conrad, 1955

Object numberW-443

DescriptionCircular button with slightly domed face with stamped decoration of eight overlapping basketweave bands around the edge surrounding a smaller circle with similar basketweave bands enclosing the number "22"; backed with bone; remnants of linen thread in four button holes.
Published ReferencesDon Troiani, Military Buttons of the American Revolution (Gettysburg, PA: Thomas Publications, 2001), 90.

Mount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Military Equipment (Mount Vernon, VA: Mount Vernon Ladies Association, 1963), 16-17.

Mount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Swords and Campaign Equipment (Mount Vernon, VA: Mount Vernon Ladies Association, 1944), 38-39.

Benson J. Lossing, Mount Vernon and its Associations: Historical, Biographical, and Pictoral (New York, NY: W. A. Townsend, 1859), 80-83.

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