The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-12-01
of the even, Of which NJ onday's celebration

of the even, OF which NJ Onday's celebration
was commemorative
The British had held the City Of New
York completely under their control all
through the Revolutionary War, from
ABOUT two months after The Declaration OF
independence until two months aud more
after the signing of the detinllivc treaty OF
peace, They wrested from the patriots
other cities, and held them IA long as Ii
seemed worth their trouble 20 do Sc; but,
with sense OF its maritime and strategic
importance, they chung TO New York to the
last.
\ record Of the events that led 10 the
evacuation OF New York by the British
has been preserved by history. The last
blood shed IN the struggle OF America for
independence was in IA skrmish ct the
close of the summer of 1882. The surrcn-
DER of CORVALLIS at Yorktown ten months
before had practically closed the war, bu,
occasional small encounters had occurred
During the autumn Of 1882 peace negotia
tons began, and news that protocol OF
peace had been agreed to come in March
1888. Congress ordered a cessation OF hos
Utilities April II, and Washington pub
llshod the proclamation Of Congress to his
army at Newhurg the 18Th, and directed O
grand peace jubilee for the day following
Two days later he Informed Sir Guy Garlic
ton the British commander at New York,
of the receipt OF the proclamation. The
24Ih day Of November, 1888, Gen. Wash
ington received note from Sir Guy Garlic.
ton informing him of an intention 10 with.
draw the British troops the following day
(the 25th), and giving brief tails OF the
programme Of surrender.
Washington found little trouble IN ar
ranging with Carleton the details of the
evacuation, although the correspondence
on the subject was somewhat lengthy.
Such of Washlngton's troops as had not
disbaDded were gathered up save small
force left at West Point and moved, under
Gen. Knox, to McGowsn's Pass, Nov. 10,
1885, and went into camp about where the
Polo Ground now is. Carleton had ar
ragDed to withdraw the 22d, but a post
ponement OF three days was rendered nee
essary on account of rain.
The morning of the cventful 25th the
number of foreign troops to withdraw was
about 1900, while Washington had less
than 1000 men IN camp with whom to go
through the form Of taking possession OF
the city. Noon was the hour fixed for the
Americans to take possession, and IN the
the British soldiers were being
IN barges to the transports and
war-shlps in the harbOr.
The American troops broke camp about
s O'Clock IN the morning and marched 20
the main line Of the British works, bnt, as
the red coats were seen still at noon lin
gering in the forts, the Americans halted
until the British rearguard had Withdrawn.
Then the column again moved forward in
to the city, and on entering what 10 now
Pearl street began to encounter crowds Of
citizens, who welcomed the patriots with
the greatest enthusiasm.
The event was celebrated by civic pro-
cessioD, which had been formed on the
outskirts of the city, and the military and
civic bodies formed junction at Cape's
Tavern, situated a short distance from
Wall street. Gen. Washington and Gov.
Clinton, with their suites, had followed In
the wake Of the troops, and were enthusl-
greeted as they reviewed the CON-
bined procession. Meanwhile detach
ment ofsoldiers had been sent to take pos
session of Fort George, at the Battery, near
Bowling Green, to hoist the American flag
here, and to fire salute of thirteen guns.