Evening journal., 1921-02-23
WASHINGTON HAD.
CITY QUARTERS
Directed Continental Army
From Top of Third
Street Hill
MR.. NIELDS GIVES
EARLY HISTORY

The pilgrimage, made yesterday |
afternoon by a group OF citizens 10
points OF historic interest in the
city. proved a most successful fea-
ture OF the Washington Birthday
celebration.
led by John p. Nields and accom-
panied by rs Boy Scouts. Che party
went from the old City Hail 20 Old
Swedes' Church. whore the Rev.
John Bell. rector, showed the visi-
tors through the church and grave
yard.
From Old Swedes, tho -pilgrims''
marched 20 the Old Inn, at Third and
Market Sts.. and thence 10 Quaker
Hill. where Friends Meeting House
and the home atThird and West. used
by Washington as headquarters dur
ing the battle OF the Brandywine
were viewed
The party then proceeded across
the Brandywine TO the Tatnall
and Rumford Houses. viewed
Lea's Mills. and then marched to
Rodney Park and the Public Build
ing whore the tour was concluded
with an address by John p. Nieids-
John s. Rossell and Mrs. Frank s.
Garrett accompanied the party Miss
Anna Ferris directed the tour
through the historic sites on the west
side and north Of the Brandywine.
Mr. Nields said;
about a year after the Declara-
ton OF Independence a British Army
Of is, 900 men advanced from EIkton
TO the capture OF Philadelphia To
check this advance Washington had
marched an army Of 1900 Patriots
from Philadelphia to Wilmington,
where he was Joined by the Della
ware Militia under General Caesar
Rodney. He established his head
quarters on the top OF Quaker Hin
at Third and West streets. From
these headquarters he issued
strong appeal 20 the army ending
with these words. Their all is at
stake. They will put the contest on
the event Of a single battle. II they
are overthrown, they are utterly IN
done-the war II at an end. Now
Is the time for our most strenuous
efforts. One bold stroke viii free
the land from rapine, devastation
and burnings; and female innocence
from brutal lust and violence
Battle OF the Brandywine-
The armies met near Milltown-
in MIL Creek hundred, but after a
b council OF war the Patriot Army
fen back TO the heights east OF the
Brandywine at Chadd's Ford. About
! September II. 1777, Washington
left Wilmington and rode out th'
! Kennett Road to fight the Battle o
BrandyzTine. stopping for a cup o
coffee at the Brindley house, ac
cording TO credible tradition.
Victory finally crowned tn
seven years bloody struggle for in
dependence and on November
, 17s3, Washington bade farewell {
his army at Trenton. on his wa
10 Mt. Vernon he stopped in VIII
mington where the Burgess an
Common Council OF the Borough o
wilmington presented him with
a formal address Of congratulaton
; washington formally replied:
Gentlemen: I earnestly wish
4 to convince you OF the pleasure
take in reciprocating your con-
n gratulations on our glorious sue
cesses, and the attainment Of an
y honorable peace
e Although the prospect OF our
d public affairs has been at some
- times gloomy indeed, yet the
s well-known firmness OF my
:. countrymen, and the expected
/. aid OF Heaven, supported me in
l. a..
& realized our most sanguine wish
5. es
l. In the course OF your address,
= you have sufficiently convinced
II me OF your ability to excite very
J. pleasing emotions; and you must
i permit me to say, that the gem
IS uine appreciation OF my fellow
J. citizens is far more satisfactory
?, than the most lavish encomiums
y would be.
! Under a deep impression Of
your generous sentiments and
81 wishes, I return TO a long medi-
ID tated retirement And let me
q assure you. gentlemen, though I
e shall no more appear on the
D. great theatre Of action, the well
]
20 never be Indifferent TO me.
v GEORGE WASHINGTON.
VI Wilmington, Dec. 16, 17S3.
WashingtOn's Visits.
- Prom his diary It appears tina
Washington stopped fourteen time
:, in Wilmington during the last te
" or twelve years OF his life. May i.
= 1887, on his way from Mt. Verno
"a to preside over the convention as
sembling in Philadelphia TO fran
&C. the Federal Constitution, he note
in his diary-lodged at Whining
% ton at O'Flinns. O'Flinns was Tn
Happy Retreat kept by Patric
Ia O'Flinn at Third and Market street
n After the convention. under the dat
;. !. [ blJRA J