Sale 290


 
Lot 139



1781 (Sep. 8) Yorktown Va. to Richmond Va., folded cover with date docketing, endorsed "Cornwallis" and handled by military courier "By a Flag of Truce" to Governor Nelson of Virginia while Lord Cornwallis' Army was surrounded at Yorktown, docketed "Recd September 10", Very Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500

A RARE CORNWALLIS COVER POSTED DURING THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.

Governor Nelson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Virginia and led that militia at the battle of Yorktown.

The original letter (located in an archive) was a reply to Nelson's request for the release of two American civilians held as British prisoners. Cornwallis denied the request because they had been spying on British fortifications.

The British surrendered six weeks after this letter was sent, militarily ending the Revolutionary War.


 
Realized $10,000



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