American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-08-09
General Lafayette's uisit to Chadd's Ford on the
26th of Juty last.

General Ldtdyette'S UlSlt TO ChGdG'S F0TG on the
26th Of July last.
The General arrived at Chadd's Ford at half pas,
10 o'clock and was received by the Committees on
behalf OF The people from Chester and Delaware
Counties. The procession was then formed and
took up their line of march towards West Chester
The General on arriving near the battle ground
descended from the Barouchc, accompanied by the
committees from Chester and Delaware Counties
amongst whom we noticed Col. Mcclellan, and
Captain William Anderson, officers of the revolu.
ton, the former OF which bore distinguished part
in the battle of Brandywine. The General took
survey of Procor's Battery which had been erected
by the Americans for their defence, that afterwards
fell into the hands Of the British. Some time was
spent in reviewing the battle ground-he General
observed that The warmest part of the engagement
took place at Birmingham Meeting House, neal
which place he was wounded: the Americans, he
said, fought with great courage.-The procession
which consisted Of the Delaware County troop com
manded by Captain John F Vanleer, made in eve
ry respect handsome military appearance, likewise
The Chester County troop that formed part of the
escort, with the committees from Chester and Del
| aware Counties, with several private carriages
citizens mounted on horse back &c. amounting il
all TO about three or four thousand people, movct
slowly towards West Chester where the inhabitant
were anxiously waiting his arrival. The shower
that fell the preceding day had completely laid tn
dust, the air was refreshed and the day seemed tt
have been made for the occasion nature itsel
seemed to bow and welcome the good Lafayette
About two miles from West Chester the Genera
was again met by the Infantry and Artillery con
sisting of several neatly organized companies tina
made very fine appearance. AS The Genera! ap
preached the ground where they were encampet
he was saued in a handsome manner by the Artil
terry, they then formed in with the procession
which arrived at West Chester little after fou
O'Clock.
After having paraded through the different streets
the troops marched small distance from the BIO
rough, into large field, formed line for the pur
pose of giving the general an opportunity of review
ing them, that took place little after FIVE O'Clock
which was perhaps one of the most gratifying sight
we have ever witnessed ; the excellent arrangement
and the good order which prevailed during the re
view, cannot be too much praised. The Genera
after having passed down the line appeared to b
highly grati6ed with the soldier like appearance Q
the different companies. After the review the
took up their line of march to West-Chester, wher
he again reviewed them for the last time from hi
Barouche. The General and his suite with tn
committees and several distinguished gentlemen par
took of an excellent dinner--atcr which he recciv
ed the visits Of upwards Of three hundred Ladies
The next morning he lett West. Chester for Ian
caster. Optdnd DnloR.
4 AT the visit Of General LAFAYETTE to tn
! Brandywine Battle Ground and West Chester, tn
procession moved into the field where our army en-
camped the night before the battle" Can you te
me- said the General, where the bridge OF rail
was across the Brandywne ~ No one knew. TIL
ground did not seem perfectly familiar, yet ne point
&c on the position Of Gen. Wayne and MAXWELL
brigades; the procession returned from the field
and advanced towards Painters < Roads, About
mile from the Ford the General stopped and alighi
ed from his carriage see Gideon Gilpin, YER
aged man. now confined to bed, and apparently nea
the close Of life, at whose house he staid the nigh
before the battle The sick man was gratihed by
sight OF the veteran, who pressed his hand cordial
, and wished him every blessing. AT Dllworth'owr
large concourse of people had gathered; here tn
procession halted ten minutes, and then turning o
! to the left, proceeded to the main battle grount
Show me- said the General, where is the NEE,
) ing houses'' When they came fully in view, an
il was pointed out to him, "O,'' said he, 1t
here,'' and Immediately rose on his feet and addres
sing himself in French TO his son and companions
spoke anmatedly for some times pointing out tn
different positions OF the two armies. Every thin
was now familiar to him. The position OF Col. M
. Clelan was near him when wounded; the spot tn
General pointed out, in the cornield of Jacob Ben
nett little east and south Of where the road ror
the meeting house in at right angles with tn
' east and west road. The procession alter lilti
E time moved to the meeting house, where an i'm
E mense number had convened to receive him aite
viewing the ground here, the General, his compar
ion. and friends al;ghted at the hospitabe mansIo
Of Samuel Jones, Esq to which they had been pre-
viously invited and partook of excellent refresh
E ments, most abundantly provided for the occasion
/. At this place. large collection OF Balls, and 9th
er relics Of the memorable conflict, which had bee
found at different periods the Battle Ground, wer
exhibited and excited much interest The visit
this ground was eedingy interesting to Lafayette
, The universal welcome given him; the hospltabl
manner in which he was entertained the association