Smyrna times., 1932-09-28
NEW PLAQUE FOR
COOCH'S BRIDGE
Controversy Over Flag Being
First Unfurled In Battle
There Sidestepped
MARKER ONLY CLAIMS

A new inscription for the monu
ment at Cooch's Bridge was dcid-
ed upon Monday of last week at
the meeting of the Historical
Markers Commission in the Old
Town Hall in Wilmington. The
need of this new inscription was
stressed because of the failure of
the original to mention the troops
engaged in the battle. The bronze
plaque bearing the new inscription
is slightly larger than the original
and will be placed over it on the
present monument. At the top of
the plaque will be reproduction of
the Colonial flag of thirteen stars
in circle. AT the bottom will be
the coat of arms of the State plac-
ed in a diamond shape. The new
inscription reads: BATTLE OF
COOCH'S BRIDGE this vicin-
ity, September 3, 1777, American
light infantry and cavalry under
command of General William Max
well, which had been drafted by
General Washington from the sew
eral brigades of his army then
near Wilmington, encountered ad-
vance guard of British and Hessian
troops under General Howe, Corn
wallis and Knyphausen. Only bat
tie Of American Revolution on Del
aware soil and claimd to have been
the first in which the Stars and
Stripes were carried. Erected by
patriotic societies and citizens of
the State of Delaware, September
3, 1901. Inscription revised by His
toric Markers Commission 1882" :"
The original inscription bore the
words: THE Stars and Stripes
were first unfurled in battle here
September 3, 1777," and the men
ton of the erection. A comparison
Of the two inscriptions shows that
in the new one the flag is only
claimed to have been carried in bat
tie for the first time at that place
{ 4 y
as to the exact spot whre the flag
was first unfurled in battle and
there is no documentary proof to
support either the defenders of the
Stanwix, N. Y, site While there
is no positive proof that there was
even a flag at Cooch's Bridge,
neither is their any to prove that
there was not and the Delaware
site is the most logical place for
its baptism by fire, according to
Edward w Cooch, of the commits
sion. Tradition has always sup
ported the theory. Until positive
proof to the contrary can be estab-
lished most Delawareans will con-
tinue to believe in it. The commits
sion also agreed upon the inscrip-
ton for the marker to be placed on
the Cooch House near the bridge.
1t reads:
"COOCH HOUSE"
Erected 1850 by Thomas Cooch
: who had come here from England
1746 He was captain in French
and Indian War, member of Colon
| ial Assembly, Judge of Court OF
Common Pleas and Colonel ir
American Revolution. House en-
{ larged by his grandson, William
Cooch, an incorporation of first
: Chesapeake and Delaware Cana
Company, and Major General Of
) Delaware Militia. Lord Cornwalli:
r had quarters here September tC
E 8, 1777." No action was taken or
2 any of the other markers which
i are still under consideration by tn,
: commission. The site of the plaqu,
e to honor Thomas Mexican remain!
e in doubt although it is believed
! that, unless the site of his hom
d can be discovered soon, the marke
: will be placed on the Newarl
n Academy Building where he re
! ceived his early education, or
! small monument will be erected ol
e the Dover Green. The Edmun'
o Cantwell House at Odessa has no
J. yet been discovered by the commits
e sion. The inscription and othe
: work in connection with it is being
: held up. DR.. George H. Ryden
h State archivist and chairman o
d the commission presided at tn
S meeting which was attended b,
: Mr.. Cooch, Mrs. F. dell Janvie
e and Mrs. ]. e. Fuller.