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c 1777 Revolutionary War Portrait Medallion of British General Sir Henry Clinton

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
c 1777 Revolutionary War Portrait Medallion of British General Sir Henry Clinton
American Revolution
Major General Sir Henry Clinton Porcelain on Tin Medallion
c. 1777 Revolutionary War Period, Portrait Medallion of British Major General Sir Henry Clinton, Porcelain on Tin with Original Loop, England, Choice Extremely Fine.
This stunning and attractive Oval Portrait Medallion is of Revolutionary War British Major General Sir Henry Clinton. It features a brown color transfer print, half length image of Clinton in uniform, wearing a British military Gorget with “Gen. Clinton” in a banner below. Measuring 3” x 2.25” this piece undoubtedly was made in England, enclosed in a simple tin frame with loop. There are trivial fine hairlines in the porcelain, most of which do not go through to the other side. Otherwise this medallion is in excellent condition that is excellent for display. A very rare, impressive medallion celebrating a major British Military hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Sir Henry Clinton (1738–1795) was a British military officer and General during the Revolutionary War. Born in Newfoundland, Canada, he was an officer in the New York militia and saw service in the French and Indian Wars.

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, remaining loyal to the King, he brought reinforcements to Boston for Governor Thomas Gage. Clinton took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775), commanded an unsuccessful expedition against Charleston, S.C. (1776), and served under Sir William Howe in the Battle of Long Island, in the occupation of New York, and at White Plains.

In 1777 he commanded the British occupation of Rhode Island. When General Howe moved on Philadelphia, Clinton assumed the command of New York. He marched up the Hudson Valley, capturing the patriot strongholds of Fort Clinton (defended by American General James Clinton) and Fort Montgomery (commanded by James Clinton’s brother, General George Clinton), but after burning Kingston he turned back.

General Henry Clinton was knighted in 1777 and succeeded General Howe in the supreme command in America in 1778. Acting on orders from London, he evacuated Philadelphia and, after Washington's attempt to halt him failed, he reached New York. In December 1779, he left Baron Knyphausen in command in New York, went south and captured Charleston in 1780. After placing Cornwallis in command in the Carolinas, he returned to New York. Expecting General George Washington to attack there, he remained in New York in 1781 and thus was unable to aid Cornwallis in the Yorktown campaign. He resigned and was succeeded by Sir Guy Carleton.

Clinton later served as Governor of Gibraltar from 1794 till his death the following year. He published a record his campaigns from 1775 to 1782, which was criticized by Cornwallis. A recent edition was published in 1954 as “The American Rebellion” edited by W.B. Willcox.