Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-09-27
WHERE STARS AND STRIPES WERE
FIRST UNFURLED IN REVOLUTION
Committee Appointed to Arrange for
the Marking of the Spot.

Nearly everything of importance con-
nected with the history of Delaware
has been more OF less suitably com
memorated by the patriotic Sons and
daughters of the American Revolution,
but Tor some time problem has been
agitating the minds OF these history
| loving and ever thoughtful people, and
that was the choosing of fit memorial
TO marx the spot whtre the Stars aud
Stripes, the emblem of our country,
was first unfurled in battle. Not until
last Satuid day. however, was such a
plan perfected.
The world-renowned ride of Caesar
Rodney, the FIRST signing of the Declar-
alton of Independe the ratification
OF the Constitution and the valor Of
its soldiers have all heem credited to
the little State of Dolaware ia the
pages OF history, where they will stand
long after the present generation and
generations to come shall have passed
away.
On Saturday the members of patriotic
societies who visited Cooch's Bridge
marked the spot where the only Revo-
lutionary battle was fought on Della
ware soil and where the flag was first
unfurled, which was on September Sd,
177T. From Cooch's Station the party
proceeded to the famous briuge over
the Christiana. To the west, rising
gradually till it reaches great height
Is the hill on which the home of j.
wilkins Cooeh stands. This humelke
residence was built in the year TIT, or
was rather completed in that year. 1t
was on this hill that the British drew
up their line Of battle behind strong
entertainments. To the north fer some
distance the merry little creek flows
through anbpen space and thon disap.
pears around bend into thick shrub
berry. II was at this spot that many
an American patriot fell, pierced by a
British ball and their blood Redeemed
the waters To the east rises another
hill, but with not 50 great prominence
at first. Here ii was that many soldiers
Of the Maryland, Pennsylvania and
Delaware regiments sacrificed their
lives for the cause Of liberty. At the
south the creek enters thick woods
which spreads on all sides into
miniature forest.
1t was during the conflict between
the two armies that the American flag
was first unfrrled on the Sd day Of
September, 1777, over 1913 years ago.
1t could not be definitely settled by any
OF those present In what shape or Of
what material that flag was made. but
il is conceded fact that it was the
Stars and Stripes only short time
before adopted as the national emblem
by the Continental Congress.
Upon arriving at the lawn surround
ing the home of Mr.. Cooch those who
had brought their luncheon immedi-
.talxy a. 49,, - r.
count OF the absence of Chief Justice
Charles B: Lore Mr.. Cooch presided.
The Rev. f. M. Munson, D. D., of New
mediately followed by the singing of
"The Star Spangled Banner Mr.
Coooh then made an interesting ad-
dress, giving the history Of the battle
field. He explained in brief the his
tory connected with several relics
which were on exhibition, including
an iron safe Ia which his father had
buried valuable silver plate previous to
the arrival of the British troops, sew
eral cannon balls and an old tiint-ock
plowed up two selrs ago in ar. adioin
ing field.
The Rev. j. Harry Chesley OF Clay
mont made an address, on "Old Glory"
He expressed the belief that in the
near future women will be called fellow
citizens. He related an incident show
ing that the first American flag I'M
furled on sea in battle was just off Fort
Delaware and also story entitled
Smoking Spiritualized," which was
very amusing.
City Solicitor Henry y Conrad spoke
and by frequent extracts from Picker.
ing's journal added strength to the
claim that the flag was first unfurled
on the spot.
Capt. Henry Hobart Bellas, U. s. A.,
was the last speaker. The following
committee was appointed, on motion
of DR.. Munson, to arrange for suitable
marking of the battle field:
Chief Justice Charles B. Lore, presi-
dent Historical Society OF Delaware,
chairman; Chancellor John r. Nichol-
son OF Dover, president Delaware So.
oiety of Colonial Wars, vice-ohairman
Vioe-P President General Howard De
Haven Ross of National Society, s. A.
r., treasurer: Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke
Churchman of Claymont, State Regent
Delaware Society d. A. r., secretary
Col. William 4. LaMotte, IresidenE
Delaware Society, s. A. r. Spotts-
wood Garland, vioe-president society,
s. A. r.. Martin Beadenkopf, secre-
tary and treasurer Delaware Society,
S. A. r. /; Miss Sophia NAPLES, Regent |
Caesar Rodney Chapter, d. A. r. Mrs.
Il. s. Anderson, Regent Col. Haslett |
Chapter, d. A. r.; Mrs. Caroline !
Speakman, Regent Elizabeth Cork |
Chapter, D. A, r.; Mrs. George G.
Hall, State Director Children OF the
American Revolution of j Delaware;
Mis-. William Nj. Drein, president of
the Blue Hens Chickens Society,
G. A. R.; Miss Serena Hall,
Regent John Pettigrew Chapter, ID. A.
r.; Mrs. Z. Tatnall Warner. Mrs.
Charles Rumford, Mrs. Charles II.
Miller, Miss Anna T. Candy;
Mrs. Clementina Lee Mollyaine,
president Delaware Society of Co.
onial Danes; Capt. Henry Hobart
rotary Delaware Society of the Cincin-
natl; Hon. j. Wilkins Cooch of Cooch's
Bridge; Prof. George A. Harter, presi-
dent of Delaware College; Prof. A. H.
Berlin, Principal of the High School,
representing the public schools of the
State Of Della ware; Rev. Jos: phi Brown
Turner of Dover; Rev. f. M. Munson,
d. D., of New Castle; Rev. ]. Harry
Chesley of Claymont; Henry q. Conrad,
representing the patriotic citizens of
the State OF Delaware.
A vote of thanks wasJgiven Howard
DE Haven Ross and three cheers for
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Wilkins Cooch,, after
which Archdeacun Hallpronounced the
benediction. ~ SRI
i IS hkely that bronze tablet will
DO erected on September Sd, 1901, the
anniversary of the engagement.
In all there were about 500 present,
mol nd mn nj re Mann Il Ritnhin ...xai |