George Wilson's Sword

Lieutenant Colonel George Wilson of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment carried this hanger (a short sword) during the Revolutionary War. In December 1776, Wilson and his regiment began a grueling winter march from their post near Pittsburgh to reinforce General George Washington’s dwindling army along the Delaware River. On Dec. 5, Wilson wrote that his troops were “ill Provided for a March at this season.” Some soldiers did not survive the over 300-mile trek. Wilson himself died of a sickness in February 1777, likely caused by the march, soon after the regiment joined up with Washington’s troops.