The Surrender of Earl Cornwallis (Lieutenant General of the British Army in North America) to General Washington & Count De Rochambeau, on the 19th of October, 1781, from Barnard's New, Complete and Authentic History of England

1781–83, or 1791

Not on view

A group of British soldiers stand at left with an officer delivering a sword to American and French officers at right. Despite the print's title, the British commander Cornwallis pleaded illness and did not attend this ceremony, but send General O'Hara to act as his second. O'Hara initially attempted to surrender to the French general Rochambeau, who deferred to George Washington. Because Cornwallis has sent a second, Washington also declined and directed his own second, Benjamin Lincoln, to accept the sword. A British flag appears here at left and American and French flags at right, with army tents behind. The print was published to illustrate Edward Barnard's, "New, Complete & Authentic," or "New, Comprehensive and Complete History of England from the earliest period..., London 1781–83.

Artwork Details

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Provenance

Title: The Surrender of Earl Cornwallis (Lieutenant General of the British Army in North America) to General Washington & Count De Rochambeau, on the 19th of October, 1781, from Barnard's New, Complete and Authentic History of England
Series/Portfolio: Edward Barnard, New Complete and Authentic History of England
Engraver: T. Thornton (British, active 1780–89)
Artist: After William Hamilton (British, London 1751–1801 London)
Author: Related author Edward Barnard (British, 1717–1781)
Subject: George Washington (American, 1732–1799)
Subject: Charles, Earl Cornwallis (British, London 1738–1805 Ghazipur, India)
Subject: Brigadier General Charles O'Hara (British, Lisbon 1740–1802 Gibraltar)
Published in: London
Date: 1781–83, or 1791
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: sheet (trimmed and inlaid): 6 15/16 x 4 7/16 in. (17.7 x 11.2 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
Object Number: 24.90.1575
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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