The seventh sword awarded by Congress during the Revolution honored Lt. American presentation swords were most popular from the War of 1812 to World War I, after which they went out of style. Congress was the only entity to award swords during the Revolution, but beginning with the War of 1812, states, cities and private organizations commissioned their own swords to bestow on military leaders. The swords awarded by Congress during the Revolutionary War were the first American presentation swords in what would become a long tradition of recognizing military heroism with precious commemorative objects. The tradition of presenting a sword as a mark of general esteem or a reward for a specific heroic act dates back at least several centuries to European and Middle Eastern precedents. These elegant, French-made swords of silver and gold document the importance of the officers’ actions and bear rich symbols of American independence and the new American republic. Tench Tilghman, the longest-serving aide-de-camp to George Washington and the man entrusted with carrying the momentous news of the victory at Yorktown to Congress in October 1781. Samuel Smith of the Maryland Line for his gallant leadership in the defense of Fort Mifflin in November 1777. One of these two swords was awarded to Lt. Not all of these swords are known to survive, but two are preserved in the Institute’s collections-the only institution to own more than one of these treasured artifacts. Tench Tilghman, the longest-serving aide-de-camp to George Washington.ĭuring the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress awarded fifteen presentation swords to officers who displayed exceptional bravery and commitment to the cause. ![]() Two of the fifteen presentation swords awarded by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War are preserved in the Institute’s collections.
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