The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-06
HISTORIC GROUND.
Where ReroIntIonarr Battle was Fought


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: This portion
of southern New Jersey was somewhat sparsely
settled over 250 years ago and is full of his
torical associations. The battle of Monmouth,
which resulted, l believe in favor of the Colo
nists, was fought near Freehold, which has
been the Countyseat of Monmouth County
since IT'S. For about so years prior to that
time the courts of the County were held in the
I" Meeting Houses" of Middletown aud Shrews-
bury.
The County of Monmouth is now principally
noted for its great wealth and the sobrety OF
the inhabitants, and it is rarely that an instance
occurs when any of the resident population
have occasion to quote the language that it is
alleged the Governor of North Carolina once
used to the Governor of a neighboring State.
The County is also noted for its fine orchards
and gardens, its numerous establishments for
the manufacture of drainage tile, its extensive
mari BEDS and, above all, for the pleasing adj
dress and charming fascination of the ladies'
Dairying is not followed to any considerable
extent i'll this section and mixed farming,
with rotation of crops, is the rule. Many
turn their attention to the raising of aspara-
gus, and sometimes as many as six cars are
loaded with this product at the little hamlet
of Middletown in a single day.
Last week / had the pleasure of visiting the
hall of Arrowsmith Post, No. 81, at Red Bank.
Great pains, as well as exceeding good taste,
has been displayed in adjoining the walls with
portraits, battle scenes and diagrams or topo-
graphical maps on a large scale, that were fur
nished on application by the War Department
ut Washington, ID. O.
These maps are not only interesting, but
they are very important to the student of his
tory, as they give comprehensive view of
many strategic points around which, in the
ever memorable struggle, the waves of the re-
bellion surged so furiously.
They had also a representation in terra Gotta
of a bundle of sticks of wood that were hollow
and filled with gas which, when lighted as it
escaped through different apertures prepared
for the purpose, is in perfect stimulation of a
campfire. Over this fire could be hung a camp
Kettle on pole supported by two crotches, and
the whole arrangement was complete, and at
very trihing cost.
After the usual routine of business is over the
proceedings are varied from time to time by
public readings, recitations, exercises on the
blackboard by some competent person, illus
trating the movements of the contending
armies in the late war, both before and during
important engagements, as we'll as by Camp
fires, fairs etc.
The Post has now surplus fund Of 81 500
drawing interest, which is a very creditable
showing for a small town. aud where the MEM
bership is only about 100.
The present Commander of the Post, Henry
s. White has good deal of influence in New
Jersey politics. and although he has his resi-
| dence at Red Bank, he is member of the LO-
| tus Club in New York city.and has law Of
! flee on Broadway.
! Another leading member of the Post is Capt.
George E. Bovine, of the 1st N. ]. Cav, who
| won distinction as brave and dashing officer
! in the war of the rebellion.
Quite recently | called at the old Fitzpatrick
| homestead, in Sussex County, near Decker
/ town. The old post road-the first that was
| built through northern New Jersey, from Jer-
sey City to Milford, Pa.,-runs through the
! property, and some of the mile-stones although
| they were placed there over $50 years ago, are
! still in good state of preservation. The farm,
consisting of 100 acres, is let at cash rental of
| $3.50. From this. the agent informs me, is de-
Quoted enough to purchase the grass seed and
to pay the taxes, leaving only about $3.50 for
the benefit of the heirs.
The family have not lived on the property
since the General left his home soon after his
second appointment as Minister to Chill, in
1881, and it has deprecated in value at rapid
rate every year from that day until the
present time. Some portions of the meadows
have become nearly unproductive; the fruit
trees have not been pruned; fences need
repairs; the fountain, which used to send
forth such sparkling water, is now as dry
as q powder hoase, and as the mansion is
| unoceupied, there is, especially in the base
ment the usual amount of mildew and damp
ness, the sure precursors of decay.
1t is pleaded in eXtenuatlOn of the above
state of things that the widow needs every dol
lar that she receives from the rent to help sup
port and educate her two daughters and that
it is utterly impossible to lay aside any por-
ton of that meager sum to improve the place.
The above statement is given that the pub
lie may learn through the columns of your
widely-circulated journal of the present con-
dition of this once famous property, where SO
many distinguished and illustrious personages
made plgrimages to pay homage to the gallant
hero who had done so much to maintain the
integrity of the Union in the late struggle foi
National existence.-B. CORNELL.