The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-01-06
COOCH's BRIDGE MARKER
Inscription Changed On Mon
unent AT Historic Place

in the State was fought, has
been changed by the Historic
Markers Commission.
e. g sa's iiiscf ipsio1 Is much
more Informative than the old
and gives the names of the Of
ficers on both sides and the
kind of troops under their
command. The claim to the
first use of the flag in battle is
included, as the commission be-
lieves that the weight Of the
evidence is in favor of it's ac-
curacy.
The change has been made
by placing a bronze plaque in
front of the old inscription
which had been cut in the
stone. The plaque bears a flag
at the top and the seal of the
State at the bottom. Credit is
given to the organizations re-
sponsible for the erection of
the monument.
Several weeks ago highway
markers were placed by the
commission in that locality in
dicating the positions of the
American and British armies,
Washington's preliminary re-
connaissance on Iron Hill,
Welsh Tract and Pencader
Churches and Aiken's and
Bucks Taverns, all of which
were associated with the en-
gagement.
These markers now complete
a movement started about 40
years ago by the late Watson
r. Sperry, then editor of the
Morning News, Wilmington,
for adequate recognition of the
Importance of the Battle of
Cooch's Bridge. A flag pole
was erected in 1895. Further
impetus was given by the var
ious historic and patriotic or
CARNATIONS of the State which
resulted in the erection Of the
monument which was unveiled
with elaborate ceremonies on
September 3, 1901.
Among the organizations
which sponsored the monu-
ment were the National Society
Sons of the American Revolu-
ton; the Delaware Societies,
Daughters Of the American
Revolution; Children of the
American Revolution; Society
Of Colonial Danes; Historical
Society, and Society of Cincin-
natl; also members of the Del
aware Bar and other interested
citizens.
The stone is Brandywine
granite. The four cannons
were secured from the Brook
lyn Navy Yard and the cable
chain from the Boston Navy
Yard. They were granted by
the Secretary of the Navy upon
the recommendation of Con-
gresham l.. III. Ball. The
ground was donated to the
State of Delaware by j. Will
kins Cooch and accepted by
Governor John HUM.
The new plaque is the work
of the Gorham Company and
was secured through Elweed A..
Davis.
: The old inscription was as
follows:
''The Stars and Stripes were
first unfurled in battle at
Cooch's Bridge September 8,
1777. Erected by the Patriotic
Societies and citizens of the
State of Delaware September 8,
1901"
The new inscription reads:
Battle of Cooch's Bridge.
American light infantry and
cavalry under General William
Maxwell encountered advance
guard of British and Hessian
troops under Generals Howe,
CORVALLIS, and Knyphausen in
this vicinity, September 8,
1777. American troops were
expert marksmen drafted by
General Washington from the
several brigades of his army
then encamped near Whining
ton. Only battle of American
Revolution on Delaware soil
and claimed to have been the
first in which the Stars and
Stripes were carried. Erected
by the patriotic societies and
citizens of the State of Della
ware, September 3, 1901. In
scription revised by Historic
Markers Commission - 1882"