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Benjamin Lincoln

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Benjamin Lincoln

Birth
Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Death
9 May 1810 (aged 77)
Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial
Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA
Plot
A 007 001
Memorial ID
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Revolutionary War Continental Army Major General. Served with distinction in the Northern battles of Bennington and Saratoga. Made commander of the Charleston, South Carolina defenses in 1778, he allowed the British to box him in the city, which he surrendered after the siege (1780). Exchanged, he joined Washington's army in time to participate in Cornwallis' defeat at Yorktown. As Washington's second in command, he accepted the British surrender from Cornwallis' second in Command, Brig. Gen. Charles O'Hara (Cornwallis was ill and did not personally surrender). He served as Secretary of War of the Continental Congress from 1781-1783. A myth arose that Washington spurned O'Hara's surrender sword, and directed it to General Lincoln because Cornwallis forced Lincoln to surrender Charleston. The truth is the military protocol of the time directed officers of equal rank to deal with one another. Since Washington was higher in rank to O'Hara, protocol dictated the General Lincoln accept the surrender.
Revolutionary War Continental Army Major General. Served with distinction in the Northern battles of Bennington and Saratoga. Made commander of the Charleston, South Carolina defenses in 1778, he allowed the British to box him in the city, which he surrendered after the siege (1780). Exchanged, he joined Washington's army in time to participate in Cornwallis' defeat at Yorktown. As Washington's second in command, he accepted the British surrender from Cornwallis' second in Command, Brig. Gen. Charles O'Hara (Cornwallis was ill and did not personally surrender). He served as Secretary of War of the Continental Congress from 1781-1783. A myth arose that Washington spurned O'Hara's surrender sword, and directed it to General Lincoln because Cornwallis forced Lincoln to surrender Charleston. The truth is the military protocol of the time directed officers of equal rank to deal with one another. Since Washington was higher in rank to O'Hara, protocol dictated the General Lincoln accept the surrender.

Bio by: RPD2

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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Mar 20, 1999
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4852/benjamin-lincoln: accessed ), memorial page for Benjamin Lincoln (24 Jan 1733–9 May 1810), Find a Grave Memorial ID 4852, citing Hingham Cemetery, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.