New Britain herald., 1929-06-19
'P. ]. CONDUCTING
 HISTORY CONTEST
Asks Children to Write Essays
 on Sullivan Expedition

A series of first day covers or en- velopes with stamps commemorating the Sullivan expedition during the Revolutionary war will be given to the boy or girl in New Britain who writes the best essay of not more than 1000 words. on this expedi- tion before July l5. by Postmaster H. E. Erwin, according to an offer made by that official today.
 The following statement was is- sued today by MT. Erwin:
 During the Revolutionary war. General Washington's efforts to gain for the colonies that freedom and independence so eagerly sought. were harassed on all sides by Brit ish soldiers. disloyal Americans Tories-and the Indians. Notably in New York state did he find not only opposition. but an activity of the It, dians which included burnings. pillage and destruction of the hohies and crops of the settlers, and even terrible massacres.
 'The six nations of Indians band ed under Chief Joseph Brant of the Seneca's, aided by British soldiers and Tories, had committed so many depredations as 10 prompt the send ing of an expeditionary force against them, and accordingly in 1779 q force of 5000 Continental troops under the leadership of Major Gen. eral John Sullivan, pressed north ward. A smaller force came south ward to join them from the vicinity of Syracuse and they caught Brant and his forces in the Wyoming Val- ley where battles were fought. many Indians Tories and British Were killed. and the entire band driven out of the region.
 History records these happenings as the Sullivan expedition, and in memory of the events included in this expedition, the post office de- partment has issued commemora- tive stamp. 20 denomination, as an incentive to go batk to our histories and read again of the hardships en- dured by those pioneer Americans in gaining that freedom and inde- pendence of foreign yoke which makes our America the one best land for us to live in and to increase our reverence for and loyalty to th" country and it's institutions which We proudly call our own
 ''The commemorative stamp Is shown and also series of first day covers from some Is different towns in the Wyoming Valley section. all historically connected with events of the Sullivan expedition and from whose post offices these commence rative stamps were first sold and first used in the dispatch of mail. June IT was the first day of such sale as will be noted from post marks. The commem tive issue will soon be on sale at all post Of fees ard your office will provide your needs.
 ''To the New Britain school boy or girl. not over l5 years of age. who submits 10 hir11before July 15, 1929. the best story of the Sullivan expedi- tion. the postmaster will present this exhibit, just as it stands.
 For the second. third, fourth and fifth best there will be honorable mention. and the leading five stories will be offered to the New Britain Herald and the New Britain Record for publication.
 ''The only rules are. that stories shall not have more than one thou- sand words. that they are to be writ ten on one side of sheets 1-2" X IT.. not 10 be folded. but submitted flat. properly signed by the author. and accompanied by birth certifi- cate showing the authors age.
 Award will be made as soon as possible after July 15, depending on the number of stories offered"
 READ HERALD CLASSIFIED Abs