The daily gazette., 1877-04-13
The Htstsricai sociesy or NJ WA re-
Stated Meeting last EvcntnG. u

The Htstoricai soctesy or ID Deiayva re-
stated meeltng last Evcnihg. N
There was q good attendance at the
rooms Of the Historical Society last even
ing. The meeting was called to order
by the Secretary, Joseph 4. Walter, on
whose motion John II. Adams was called
to the chair. After the adoption Of the
minutes of the last meeting, Cesar A.
Rodney was introduced and read paper
prepared at the request of the Society, on
"The Princeton Campaign of 1776.n Mr..
Rodney's address is founded entirely
upon original documents which have
come into his possession from his ances-
tors, including many letters from the
most prominent men in this State (Chief
Justice Killen, Gen. Cesar Rodney, Lieu
tenant Col. Tilton, Captain Haslit, Cap
tain Thomas Rodney and others); the
original orders issued by General Cad
walader on the day of the eventful "cross-
ing of the Delaware" directing the move
ments of the troops for that purpose; the
original commission issued to Captain
Rodney by the Council Of safety Of the
Three lower counties ON Delaware" and
the original certified muster-rolls. These
papers were at hand and referred to dur
ing the address to which they lent graph
ic interest.
The time covered by the narrative is
about six weeks beginning on the 14th of
December, 1776, when the Kent county
troops marched from Dover, and, giving
2 detailed account Of events from that
tin sIntil Capt Rodney returned home on
the 18th of January, TIT. The language
recorded in the diary Of Captain Rodney,
is that Of an intelligent actor ia the events
portrayed and gives vivid force to the
relation. A circumstantial account is
given of the march of the Delaware
troops from Dover, through Wilmington
and Chester to, Philadelphia, describing
the scenes on the route and in Philadel-
phia, and the, state of public feeling. The
Captains interview and conversation
with General Cadwalader who Command
ed at Philadelphia, are given, the progress
OF the troops to Bristol described, and the
fact established that the Delaware troops
were the first to cross the river on that
memorable night Of Christmas 1776. At
Yer that passage. accomplished with great
difficulty through the floating ice, they
were kept under arms for eight hours in
storm of rain and sleet and then order
ed back, some of them not getting ever
till the next day, and yet being ordered
to recross the next day. tDfs n
Through these hardships their conduct
was admirable, receiving special COM
Inendation from General Cadwalader.
Ensuing the crossing on the 9th, come
the capture Of Burlington and Borden
town and the pursuit of the British in
New Jersey. Our State troops arrived at
Trenton in time to participate in the
Trenton battle, marched in the rain from
Trenton to Princeton, where also they
fought with distinction. The circum-
stances of the death of Col. Haslit and
Gen. Mercer are related, and the incidents
OF the march of the army to Pluekamin
and Morristown. Here the army en-
camped and the Delaware troops were the
ones assigned to parade duty, assisting at
the burial with military honors of the
British Col. Leslie, Col. Ford and Gen.
Hitchcock, which scenes are described
with graphic mlnuteness,
| Lack OF space preeludes Just report
of the paper which occupied an hour and
half of rapid reading. At the conclu-
sion, MIR. Walter alluded to the special
value of the paper and the interest of the
circumstances attending it, and moved q
vote of thanks to Mr.. Rodney, which
motion was cordially adopted and also
a motion requesting copy of the address
for publication.
| Thomas Holcomb, Esq, was proposed
for honorary, and Rev. q. A. Latimer for
corresponding membership.
John P. Almond and DR.. E. G.. Short
lidge, proposed at last meeting, were
elected active members, and the accept
ance by S. M. Harrington and Manlove
Hayes, Esqs., of their election reported.
A large number Of donations were re.
ported; from the Bureau of Education /;
New Haven Colony Historical Society !;
State Of Vermont (; Rev. George ]. Por-
ter; Rev. VIM. D. Mackey; G. A. Towns
end /; Minnesota Historical Society; Gov.
Hartranft r. A. Brockesy Col. James
81. Jones Mrs. s. NJ. DUPONT New
Jersey Historical Society Rev. G. A.
Latimer DR.. VIM. Cummins P. s. P.
Connor j. r. Walter Worcester Free
Institute VIM. B. Norton Leander F.
Riddle st. Louis Mercantile Library,
and Thomas Warner. Some of the do
nations are of particular value and inter
est, and merit description If space per-
mitted. r'