THIS IS FOR OVER 37 BUTTONS AND 1 SHOE BUCKLE FROM COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD TO CIVIL WAR PERIOD WITH A COUPLE OLDER OR NEWER AT LEAST 20 BUTTONS AND SHOE BUCKLE AS WELL AS 1 MUSKET BALL (PRESUMED TO BE BRITISH) 18mm ABOUT 3/4". FROM "THE BATTLE OF HARLEM HEIGHTS." WHILE WORKING IN MANHATTAN NY. THE REMAINING BUTTONS CAME FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS.I HAD A SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO METAL DETECT (WITH PERMISSION) IN AN AREA OF MANHATTAN OCUPIED BY THE BRITISH IN 1776 THAT WAS BEING EXCAVATED AND LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS UNDISTURBED (RARE FOR MANHATTAN) JUST SEVERLY OVERGROWN AND DUMPED ON. AFTER THEY REMOVED THE GROWTH AND ABOUT 8" OF SOIL I WAS ABLE TO DETECT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER THEY WERE DONE FOR THE DAY. I WASN'T LOOKING AT IT AS A BATTLE SITE, BUT LETS JUST SAY THE MUSKET BALLS WERE BECOMING A NUISANCE AS I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN OTHER THINGS. AFTER FINDING 3 HALF REALS, MORE THAN HALF A DOZEN BRITISH HALF PENCE AND A NJ COPPER, AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF EARLIER DUTCH ARTIFACTS AND LOTS OF BUTTONS.  I FOCUSED ON COINS. NEVER CONSIDERING THE REASON FOR ALL THE MUSKET BALLS (HIND SITE IS 20/20). WELL I PROBABLY WALKED AWAY WITH 20 OR SO. BUT AFTER GIVING MANY AWAY AROUND THAT TIME,AND LOSING TRACK OF A FEW, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW I SAVED FOR MY COLLECTION.  NOW DUE TO ECONOMIC RESTRAINTS, MAINLY DUE TO THE FORMENTIONED CITY OF MANHATTAN, WHO CAUSED ME TO BE SEVERELY INJURED ON THE 59TH ST BRIDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO WORK SINCE AND FORCED TO SELL OFF MY COLLECTION. SO THIS COULD BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A GENUINE PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY!  (FOUND A FEW MORE)   GOOD LUCK !  AND PLEASE SEE MY HUSBANDS OTHER AUCTIONS AS I WILL BE LISTING THEM DAILY.

May 10, 1776 - The Continental Congress authorizes each of the 13 colonies to form local (provincial) governments.

June 28, 1776 - In South Carolina, American forces at Fort Moultrie successfully defend Charleston against a British naval attack and inflict heavy damage on the fleet.

June-July, 1776 - A massive British war fleet arrives in New York Harbor consisting of 30 battleships with 1200 cannon, 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 sailors, and 300 supply ships, under the command of General William Howe and his brother Admiral Lord Richard Howe.

June-July, 1776 - On June 7, Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, presents a formal resolution calling for America to declare its independence from Britain. Congress decides to postpone its decision on this until July. On June 11, Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence. Committee members are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Livingston and Roger Sherman. Jefferson is chosen by the committee to prepare the first draft of the declaration, which he completes in one day. Just seventeen days later, June 28, Jefferson's Declaration of Independence is ready and is presented to the Congress, with changes made by Adams and Franklin. On July 2, twelve of thirteen colonial delegations (New York abstains) vote in support of Lee's resolution for independence. On July 4, the Congress formally endorses Jefferson's Declaration, with copies to be sent to all of the colonies. The actual signing of the document occurs on August 2, as most of the 55 members of Congress place their names on the parchment copy.

July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence

July 12, 1776 - As a show of force, two British frigates sail up the Hudson River blasting their guns. Peace feelers are then extended to the Americans. At the request of the British, Gen. Washington meets with Howe's representatives in New York and listens to vague offers of clemency for the American rebels. Washington politely declines, then leaves.

August 27-29, 1776 - Gen. Howe leads 15,000 soldiers against Washington's army in the Battle of Long Island. Washington, outnumbered two to one, suffers a severe defeat as his army is outflanked and scatters. The Americans retreat to Brooklyn Heights, facing possible capture by the British or even total surrender.

But at night, the Americans cross the East River in small boats and escape to Manhattan, then evacuate New York City and retreat up through Manhattan Island to Harlem Heights. Washington now changes tactics, avoiding large scale battles with the British by a series of retreats.

September 11, 1776 - A peace conference is held on Staten Island with British Admiral, Lord Richard Howe, meeting American representatives including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The conference fails as Howe demands the colonists revoke the Declaration of Independence.

September 16, 1776 - After evacuating New York City, Washington's army repulses a British attack during the Battle of Harlem Heights in upper Manhattan. Several days later, fire engulfs New York City and destroys over 300 buildings.

September 22, 1776 - After he is caught spying on British troops on Long Island, Nathan Hale is executed without a trial, his last words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."