Arizona weekly citizen., 1894-06-30
WHITE PLAINS.
The Historic Battle Ground
OF the Revolution.
s STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM.
The Cowboys and Bummers Of
100 Years Ago-The Home
Of Horace Greedy.

Having decided to take an outing
from the city, we seated ourselves com
fortably In one of the cars of Harlem
railroad trair, ths end Of our destina
ton being wedding in little village
church at Croton Falls where the bride
stood under bell of purple lilacs and
apple blossoms with horseshoe of the
latter at Ter right. After the hosl7ita.
bic reception which followed at her no me
the bridal pair left amidst shower of
rice, old shoes and tin cans tied to tn e
carriage aud a white ribbon to the
trunk.
The name Harlem comes to US from
the Dutch Harlem which place in Hol-
land is where the little Queen Willie
NINA and her mother and the nobility
spend much of their time. AS we rode
along on bright sunshiny day in May
with clear blue sky above and an &C.
casIonal small whi-e cloud floating by
oNo nAOdho tuC BICcA caves Oh
the trees, including hickory and ches-
nut, ard the apple orchards white with
blossoms, purple lilacs and lavendar
wistaris, clusters hanging from the trail
ing vines, stone walls. red cows reclin-
ing on the grass OF the fields amidst the
yellow dapdelions and clumps of yellow
cowslips, and leading up from the rail-
road track wide village roads with shade
trees either side, and houses little
aback from the street and perched on a
fence post black crow looking around
detected as much as to say, II am look
ing for the fields of corn but do not see
any"
Having observed the picture squenees
of thu scenery let us turn for short
period to other points OF interest on and
near our roote. The country was des-
cribed in 1756 by the historian William
Smith as being "tolerab.y settled, the
lands IN general rough and fertile and
therefore the farmers run principals to
grazing. The inhabitants are either
English or Dutch, Presbyteriars. Ep;s-
copa iians, Quakers and French Protest.
anti
First we come to the 13S street station
which is comparatively new and was
built for the accommodation OF the food
Of new residents in that LOCALITY; then
We pass Morissania, where Rodman
Drake lies buried. and Fordham, the
site of St. Mary's Jesuit college. Wood
lawn. one of the later cemeteries for
New York, Jay Gould and his wife are
among those buried there.
Mount Vernon, town of cOnsidera-
BILE size. whose residents carry on their
business in New York. Tuckahoe and
its white marble quarries, it's marble
being shipped 10 all parts of the Unit
ed States; there we saw party OF young
ladies who Were on a geological and
botanical excursion, in the spring and
fall numbers of similar parties go from
the ditfere ot schools of TIE city.
The roads cas-: OF the Hudson lying
between TIE American aud British lines
during the revolution were infested with
two kinds OF scapeGraces, the Cow
boys" or cattle III ewes aud the skin
Ders," who took everything they could
find; the former were tories and the
latter wings, both were terror to farm
ers and wayferers. Mayor Andre was
cartured and executed in this section.
Go hing back TO our route we are at
Whit. Plains. called by the Indians
QuarOppas. 1t is the capital of West
CHESTER county and It's history dates pre-
yious to revolutionary days. The prin-
cipal street was given name by George
III, is mile in length. VIDE and thickly
shaded. This whole section abounds in
stories OF IL disns aud red coats, many
traces of the former still remaining. At
the court house in White Plains the pro-
vIncial congress received the declara-
ton of Independence on July 8, 1776 and
solemnly pledged their allegiance to it
'at the risk of their lives and fortunes"
and also to join the other colonists in
1t.
At this period the inhabitants of
were a hardy yeomsnry
descended from ancestors who fled from
oppression abroad and enjoyed greater
freedom here, consequently when their
section was invaded they fought man.
fully and persistebtly. Upon the ed-
vance Of the British to White Plains
Tie WIZ OOlOl6 Luc Ill
having with them their
and scanty provisions and not
knowing where they would seek shelter.
Desolation and famine followed in the
path of the two armies.
Wash,ngton's headquarters at the
White Plains were a small farmhouse
in the solitude of woods, surrounded by
hills and wild romantic scenery, north
-, l..
remain with but little alterations. the
small panes of glass in his window and
the buffet for his table service and on
the walls are portraits of himself and
several representations of the last scenes
in his life at Mount Vernon. When
Gen. Washington arrived at the battle
field Gen. Lee said 10 him "Yonder is
the ground We fight to occupy" The
Commander-in Chief replied. Let US
then go and view it, while on their
way light horseman galloped up TO
Washington saying The British are in
camp Sir" after which the great general
observed. Gentleman ge have now
other business than RECOMMENDING" upon
which they FASTENED 10 the camp find
ing the whole American army in order
for battle. Turning to those who bad
been with him Washington said
gentlemen you will repair to your re-
peclive posts and do the best you
can.
The battle of White Plains occurred
Oct. % l776 with Washington in com
mand on the American side and Howe
on the B,itlsh. The principal part Of
the engagement was at Ch8rterton Hill.
west of the railroad track. When Howe
took possession OF New York be cut off
Washington's supplies by sending fri
gates up the Hudson thus compelling
him to fall back to White Plaius. Wash
ington was wary, avoiding general en-
gagemeLt; both sides contended for a
knoll bying between their armies. Wash
ington concentrated his whole force at
White Pltics; Sullivan Stirling and
NJ, ryan who mad just been exchanged.
rejoined them and Gen. Lee from South
Carolina WAS added IN THAR nupobar