Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-09-15
Written for Gazette and Journal

On Thursday, september llth, 700,
the residents of the then small borough
of Wilmington listened with hated
y breath and anxious hearts to the echoes
of roaring guns that told OF the battleoi
Brandywine, then in progressat Chadd's
Ford eleven miles away. The conflict was
not unexpected to them, for they had
noted for days previous the march Of
Washington's forces to give battle to the
British invaders, nor were they long IN
ignorance of the result Of the dnfortu-
nate engagement, which led to the fail
of Philadelphia, and o British occnpa-
ton of the surrounding territory from
the unpleasant consequences Of which
the borough of Wilmington was not
entirely exempt.
True Colonists were the sturdy men
and women Of Wilmington, and sincerely
did they deplore the misfortune that
befel the American arms on that day
And mingled with their regret was
feeling of sympathy for one of the vic
Tins of the engagement--the gallant |
young Frenchman who had left his
home and country to take part IN that
grand struggle for American independ-
ence-the Marquis de La Fayette. lie
had fought CALAMITY throughout the
'luckless battle, and in futile attempt
to rally his troops in their retreat before
a furious British onslaught, n British
bullet struck him down, and his blood
mingled with that Of the American
patriots for whose liberty he fought,
Wilmington heard this news with
sorrow, rejoiced ut the young warriors
speedy recovery, and watched with
pride his subsequent career III that
bloody conflict, which finally ended in
the glorious triumph at Yorktown.
Forty-seyen anniversaries Of the
Battle of Brandywine had passed by,
and again the people of Wilmington, on
Wednesday, October 9Th, 1924, were
stirred 10 their hearts depths, by
the name of La Fayette. The distn-
guished Frenchman was at their very
doors. He had come to pay farewell
visit to the country to which he was SO
warmly attached, and after memor-
able reception in Philadelphia was
starting for Baltimore by route which
took him through then for more preten-
tious borough of Wilmington, which he
had not seen since he passed by its doors
on the march to the battlefield at
Chadd's Ford. The town was fairly
alive with excitement, and committee
of its best citizens had been delegated
to march forth and welcome the honorec
guest at the very minute he placed HI!
tootupon Delaware soil.
At an early hour the committee of re
ception, headed by Gen. Louis McLane
crossed the old bridge over the Brandy
wine and proceeded out the Philadel
phia pike to the State line to await tn
arrival of the distinguished guest. Gen
McLane's condition Of mind may b
imagined when it is stated that the gen
eral election in Delaware, at which h
was the Federal Republican candidat
for Representative in Congress, occurre
the day previous, and he was IN &c
lightful state of uncertainty, owing :
the slow methods of collecting the re
turns then in vogue, as to the result {
the issue However, he seems to hay
suppressed his personal anXieties, an
Joined in the agreeable duty Of WELDON
ing the honored French patriot as jo.
fully as though he knew to certalnt
that the exceedingly close contest ha
resulted in his favor He was electe
but il was several days later before !
learned that the heavy majority for h
opponent in New Castle county hi
been overcome by his loyal friends
Kent and Sussex and the election d
cided in his favor.
Patiently the committee waited
the State line, just above Naamar
creek, until the shouts of the watche
announced the appearance of Genei
La Fayette and his party, who d
spent the previous night in Chest
gaining much needed rest after y
4 lavish Inequalities they had enjoyed
3 the hands of the good people of Phi
delphia. A few minutes past 10 o'clo
= they stepped upon Delaware soil.
1,,nu frnpllu tbpriDu of dist
& euished personnel and ample prop
81 lions, that accompanied General
III Fayette from Chester, in order TO ira
fer their precious charge, with due TO
lh and impressive ceremony to the tent
NH mercies of their Delaware brethr
The delegation comprised, according
H the local chronicler, '!the Governor
2F Pennsylvania and suite, General @
5t wallder and suite, General Patters
VIZ abe First City Troop of Cavalry OF Pl
5 adelphia, several companies of milit
III of the neighborhood of Chester, an,
M considerable number of citizens"
& general was sitting IN barouche "
W his son, 4. W. La Fayette, and NJ.
Vasseur.
~ Right upon the State line they hal
and the proud Delawareans advance,
do the honors of the occasion.
local committee was tlanked by a C,
pany OF New Castle County Cavi
IA under command of Captain Moore,
IA company of mounted citizen gut
M mostly belonging to the Borough, al
M large number Of citizens in carrie
and on horseback" Governor Sch
tenderly babe farewell to his friend
M guest and besought the Delawarean
treat him well and guard him sacr'
while in their territory, all Of which
functions Chairman McLane prom
most faithfully to carry out to the
letter, at the same time bidding the
duis and his friends welcome to
State of Delaware.
Into barouche, drawn by the reg
~ ton four white horses, the Marquis
M son and friend entered, accompanie
M Chairman McLane, and the cavalC
S which soon assumed imposing pr,
tions, started for Wilmington.
Rsak came Captain bIoores cavalry II
M and the committee of arrangement
tb carriages, followed by the baro
NE drawn by four white horses and
EN4 tanning the guests of the occasion.
b4 came the surviving officers of the |
H8N luton War, and "Nlusick in carria!
M more citizens in carriages, 200 moi
M militia from Naamans Creek, and
ASA citizens on horseback innumcrable.
Accompanying this really imp
N procession for that day, was vast
l course of people on foot, "and the N
| wrote Editor Samuel Harker OF
.f Dcla,parc Gazette, like rolling s