United States. A War of 1812 Dragoon Guards Helmet Plate Attributed to Capt Thornton, Alexandria Dragoons

M1800. In die-stamped pewter, oval-shaped, ground-found, illustrating a left-facing helmeted mounted dragoon in the act of charging, brandishing a sword in his right hand, his left hand holding the reins of the horse, the front legs of the horse raised and its rear legs on the ground, the ground indicated by a horizontal rule, an eagle flying above and carrying a wreath in its beak, measuring 69 mm (w) x 93.5 mm (h), four die-holes of which one pair each is placed at the top and bottom for attachment to the helmet, exhibiting surface wear, bubbling and oxidation, along with residue in the recessed areas. Ground-found. Accompanied by two papers attesting to the authenticity and provenance of the helmet plate.

Footnote:

1. This particular helmet plate came from a collector in Virginia. He stated that the plate belonged to Captain William Thornton, commander of the Alexandria Dragoons and was purchased from the family. Captain William Thornton's Alexandria Dragoons fought at the Battle of Bladensburg and Washington City in late August 1814. Captain Thornton commanded the Alexandria Dragoons who were the scout dragoon company that was with Secretary of State James Monroe at the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland, fought on August 24, 1814 and Washington City several days later. Captain Thornton rode out with 25 to 30 Alexandria Dragoons on August 19, 1814, as an escort for Secretary of State James Monroe, on a scouting expatiation to the Patuxent River, a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, to search for the invading British forces. They arrived on a hill overlooking the river, three miles from Benedict, Maryland on August 20th, where they discovered the British landing forces. Secretary Monroe sent a dragoon with a dispatch back to President James Madison, then proceeded to follow the British for the next several days, sending dragoons back with dispatches on the British movements. Secretary Monoroe and Captain Thorton met with American General William Winder at Bladensburg, where they fought at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814. After the American defeat, the Alexandria Dragoons continued to escort Monroe during the retreat to and through Washington, fighting the British mounted dragoons at the crossing of the Anacostia River (where the South Capitol Bridge is now), along South Capitol Street (where the McLaughlin Bank was), near the Treasury Building, White House and then across the Potomac River into Virginia. After the British burned Washington, Captain Thornton and his dragoons were ordered to Alexandria, Virgina, where they encamped on top of Shooter's Hill, a high hill west of the city where the Monistic Temple now sits. From this position, they observed the British landing from seven British warships, followed by the capture and sacking of Alexandria. Their orders were to observe the British, in order to find out if there were any further advances westward into Virginia, but none materialized. After several days, the dragoons returned to their homes in Virginia, as the British had returned to their ships and had withdrawn down the Potomac River. Captain Thornton found his apothecary ramshackled and in ruins, with all the drugs, medicines, potions and other medical necessities taken by the British.

2. The first known distinctive metal branch insignia authorized for the Army is this helmet plate c. 1800, originally produced in brass. This plate was also worn by the First and Second Dragoon Guards during the War of 1812, the helmet plate now produced in pewter. The Congressional act of April 12, 1808 authorized a standing regiment of light dragoons consisting of eight troops. As war loomed, Congress authorized another regiment of light dragoons on January 11, 1812. These regiments were respectively known afterwards as the First and Second United States Dragoons. In 1813, Secretary of War John Armstrong, Jr. granted Colonel Richard Mentor Johnson permission to raise two battalions of volunteer cavalry. Johnson recruited 1,200 men, divided into fourteen companies. Congress combined the First and Second United States Dragoons into one Regiment of Light Dragoons on March 30, 1814. This was a cost-cutting measure, as it was cheaper and easier to maintain one unit at full strength, than two organizations that could not maintain a full complement of riders. The signing of the Treaty of Ghent at the end of the year ended the war. The regiment was disbanded on March 3, 1815, with the explanation that cavalry forces were too expensive to maintain as part of a standing army. The retained officers and men were folded into the Corps of Artillery by June 15, 1815, while all others were discharged.