VERY RARE – Revolutionary War Cannonball, recovered at Fort Vincennes, Indiana

As many of you know, I have been posting quite a bit of Revolutionary War artifacts, especially cannonballs. The one being offered here is not so rare because of its size, it is the provenance behind it. It is a British 9-pounder weighing 8-pounds, 11-ounces with a 4” diameter. It was recovered at the battle site of Fort Vincennes.

In February 1779, during the Revolutionary War, George Rogers Clark (see picture) led American forces in a successful siege of Fort Vincennes, also known as Fort Sackville, in present-day Indiana. This victory, a key moment in the war for the Northwest Territory, saw Clark's militia, including some French volunteers, force the British garrison to surrender. The battle took place near the Wabash River.

This cannonball came out of an old collection. The Vincennes area is now protected by the government, but this ball was recovered long before that took place, when it was still private property. This is the first cannonball from Vincennes that I have ever seen, and possibly the only surviving example. There may be others but none that I am aware of.

It is definitely museum quality or for a centerpiece of a distinguished Revolutionary War or artillery collection. It comes in the acrylic display case and a Certificate of Authenticity will be included. 

Revolutionary War relics have always been hard to find. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity.