Frothingham, Richard (1748-1819) [Return of Ordnance & Military Stores Taken at York & Gloucester in Virginia by the Surrender of the British Army]

This is a copy, in the hand of Samuel Shaw, of a "Return of Ordnance & Military Stores Taken at York & Gloucester in Virginia by the Surrender of the British Army," which Washington enclosed in his letter to Congress of October 27-29, 1781. (See Papers of the Continental Congress, NARA M247, Item 152, Vol. 10, pp. 336+. Note that their copy appears to be missing the final page(s). An additional copy, transcribed by Congress, is in the Papers as well.) Based on the content of Washington's letter, an October 26th draft of which is in the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, this return was probably completed on October 26, 1781.

Contains the copied signature of Richard Frothingham, field commissary of military stores. Lists brass ordnance, iron ordnance, cartridges, shot, shell, muskets, powder, trumpets, drums, pick axes, tomahawks, iron crow bars, and leather confiscated from the British after they surrendered at Yorktown. Among the items listed are a variety of flags: 18 German regimental standards, 6 British regimental standards, 4 British Union flags, 32 German camp colors and 41 British camp colors. The 24 captured regimental flags were presented to Congress by Colonel David Humphreys on November 3, 1781. At least one of the standards captured at Yorktown was given to Washington by Congress. That flag, and several others taken at Yorktown, are now in the artillery museum at West Point. (See GLC02437.00866 and .01274 for related documents.) A note at the bottom of last page indicates, "Mr. Price to take what he pleases from the laboratory- the remainder to be left."