General Irvine’s Pistols at Fort Pitt Museum
Written by PA Heritage Staff in the Sharing the Common Wealth category and the Fall 2002 issue Topics in this article: American Revolution, Carlisle, Continental Congress, Cumberland County, England, Fort Pitt, Fort Pitt Museum, General William Irvine, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pittsburgh, Whiskey RebellionGeneral William Irvine (1741-1804), a physician who practiced in Carlisle, Cumberland County, and a member of the Continental Congress, enjoyed a distinguished military career. He served in the Revolutionary War, during which he commanded Fort Pitt, and led Pennsylvania troops during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. For many years, Irvine’s papers and personal arms – an elegantly engraved sword and pistols – were held by his family. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania eventually acquired his papers and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) obtained his sword. The PHMC later purchased the pistols from Irvine family friends and reunited them with the general’s sword at the Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh, which chronicles the bitter conflict between England and France for the control of North America.
