The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-08

Historical Researches that QuiIp Made
as Bohemian.
CHAPTER |.


of the British army, $4,000 strong, under
Gen. Howe, arrived at the Head of Elk.
Two days before they had landed near the
Old Ferry that was maintained at that time
and for years afterwards between Court
House Point and a point nearly opposite
on the Elk Neck side of the river. We
have in our possession an old map pub
lished in 1900, and kindly loaned to us by
Hon. James McCauley, which shows most
of their encampments between the landing
in Elk Neck and the place of their embarka-
tion at Neversink, at the end of the cam
paign, in the year of which we write.
Two days before, August 25th, General
Washington had been in Elkton and passed
the night in the house of Jacob Holdings
worth, now occupied by Col. G. r. Howard.
Feeling his inability to cope successfully
at this place with his adversaries-or for
strategic reasons that are now unknown,
he, contrary to the opinion of military men
of latter day, abandoned the town-in-
deed the place was so small that it was
hardly worth acknowledgement retired to-
| wards ChriStiana Bridge.
The room that Gen. Washington occu-
pied on the night of the 25th of August
was occupied by Gen. Howe on the night
of the 9th, and he was waited upon by
this same colored servant that waited upon
Gen. Washington. The name of this SER
want was Richard Mills. He lived 10 be
i a.,
of the old people now living recollect him
we'll. He is said to have been very large
and well made. The gentleman that told
me of him said he had no doubt that his
arms above the elbow were as large as the
thigh of an ordinary man.
Jacob Holingsworth kept an hotel in the
house now occupied by Col. Howard. Gen.
Washington was frequently guest of MIR.
H. after the close of the war. The man
ners of the people and the customs of So
ciety have changed very much since those
days. Mrs. W., it is said, was in the habit
of making the tea for herself and the Gen
eral when they stopped here. The tea ket
tie, containing the hot water for the pur-
pose, was kept in the dining room, and the
lady was in the habit of lifting it from the
fire. using her handkerchief to keep from
burning her hands.
The part of the British army that was at
Elkton came by the old Elk Neck road and
reached the town shortly after sunrise.
They did not confine themselves to the
road after crossing Little Elk Creek, but
spread over the fields on each side of it,
their pioneers or vanguard tearing down
the fences and other Instructions to make
way for them. 1t was said to have been a
beautiful sight to see them as they came in
sight on the level slope west of the town,
their scarlet coats and bright guns and
bayonets cleaning in the rays of an early
! August sun. We learn from the old map
that they encamped on the level plain north
of the town, on the 9th of August.
While the British were here they de-
stroyed large quantity of grain that was
stored in warehouse that stood in the
Hollow near where Price hotel now stands.
| 1t was frame building and stood on the
east side of canal or ditch that had been
dug for the purpose of bringing vessels
close to the building to facilitate the load
ing of grain. The British cut holes in this
warehouse tore the weather boarding
Off it-and filled the ditch full of grain.
1t was this grain that was the cause of the
obstruction of the channel of the river.
Previous to the Revolutionary War vessels
had no trouble in coming to the town.
The British general appears to have left
a part of his force here for some time
probably a small garrison-to hold the
town and keep open his line Of communi-
cation with the fleet in the river.
| The Americans had small body of troops
at Elk Forge now Baldwin's factory, which
was place of some Importance at that time
and had been in operation for about six
teen years. They also had line of posts
or stations northeastly by way of Kenneth
Square, probably to Philadelphia, and kept
up communication by means of couriers on
horseback, that travelled along the route
and changed horses at each station.
While the British held the town they
were in the habit of sending out foraging
parties, and the Americans at the forge had
their scouts on the alert, in order to be in
formed of their operations. 1t was while
doing duty as scout that a grand uncle of
the writer fell in with a squad of these
British officers at the bridge across Big
| Elk, north of the town, known as Gilpin's
| bridge. He was on the north side of the
creek and they were on the opposite bank,
near where the house now stands The
creek was skirted on each side with bushes
and trees, and the old gentleman fired at
them before they saw him, and to use his
own words, "One of them settled down on
his horses neck The old soldier did not
think it safe to stay longer at that time;
but returned a short time after the evacua-
ton of Elkton by the British and found a
fresh grave in the flat between the bluff
and the creek. The grave is in the garden
belonging to the house that stands near the
south end of the bridge. The place was
pointed out to the writer by his uncle, to
whom it had been shown by his uncle
who was the person that fired the shot.
He had no doubt that the grave was that
of the man at whom he fired.
There may be those who will be disposed
to think harshly of this action of an Ameri
can soldier, but they should remember that
the provication of the Americans had been
great and their sufferings severe; that they
had borne them long and patiently when
they had reasonable right to have ex-
pected better treatment, and that the war
was not of their seeking nor making, but
having been forced upon them, and they
being men of bravery and determination,
they let no opportunity escape to rid their
country of the vile invaders.
During the time that the British were in
Elkton and vicinity they sent detach-
ment of troops to Elk Forge, who com
mitted many depredations there and de-
Strovad uuch of the prOneTty that thew