Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-04-20

~ l had been the scene of so many mpor-
uV4MI tant events during that struggle. More
&6Q4l particularly the locale was the town
OF Newburgh n <.
- 1t was here that Washington and his
Continental army, after the victory over Corn
wallis at Yorktown, had settled down on their
last camp ground of the war. In the Hashrouck
mansion a small, sloplng rooted stone farm
house, Washington had established his head
quarters and here were living with him Martha
Washington and members of his military fami-
#ly officers who had followed his fortunes faith
fully during the war-Col. Tench Tilghman, Col.
David HUMPHREYS, Nal Benjamin Walker, Col.
William Stevens Smith, Hedjah Raylies and
Jonathan Trumbnl, Jr, son of the famous
Brother Jonathan Trumbull. governor Of Con-
necticut.
The camp OF the soldiers was pitched In q
semi-circle extending from four miles southwest
of Newburgh to the village Of New Windsor on
the west bank Of the Hudson, now suburb
OF NeWburgh.- On the summit Of a high, tree.
less hill overlooking the valley had been erected
q big, oblong wooden building, known as the
Temple or the New Public building which was
used for holding religious services for the Con-
tinentals.
On April 10, 1883 1.-THE anniversary Of the Bat
tie of Lexingtnn) courier rode hastily through
the streets Of Newburgh and drew up before the
Hasbrouck mansion. The burden Of his des-
patches was the proclamation Of congress for
the cessation Of hostties. At OF the same
day the proclamation was read to the officers
OF the army who were assembled In the Temple
for that purpose and In the evening 1t was read
to every regiment In the army Although the
signing OF the treaty of peace was still several
months In the future Git was not signed until
September g. 1881 the American Revolution
was at an end
Now began the work Of rehabilitation and
as the officers prepared to take leave of each
other, perhaps forever, it occurred to Gen. Hem
nv Knox commander at West Point. to whom
had been given the delicate task of disband-
Ing the army that there should be some way
of perpetuating the ties that had bound them
together during the dark days OF their struggle
for liberty. Then, too, there was the idea Of
paying tribute to their fellow officers who had
lost their lives In the struggle and OF finding
some method of support for the widows and
orphans of the dead heroes.
The proposal Of Knox to found a patriotic
and memorial society met with the instant ap
proval of the other officers of the army and 1t
also had "the acquiescence and hearty appro-
bationn of washington. meeting to organize
such society was held at Verplanck house. the
headquarters of Baron Won Steuben near Fish
KILL with that doughty German soldier presld
Ing and Knox serving as secretary general
The name chosen for the organization was
the Society of the Cincinnati and the selection
of that name is easily explained The colo
nists were mostly agriculturists and many of
them had been educated In England where Roman
history was ever the inspiration of the scholar.
So the name Of Society Of the Cincinnati was
appropriate for them because they, like the
Cincinnatus OF Roman legend, had left the pillow
for their countrys service and like him, now
that their service was over, were returning to
the pillow again.
The order, or medal of the society was also
In keeping with this idea. 1t is baldheaded
eagle suspended on a blue ribbon with white
borders, typifying the union of France and Amer
lea On the eagles breast is shown Cncinnatus
receiving sword and insignia from the Roman
senate and In the background Is his home, his
wife and his pillow Around this scene are dis
played the words "Omnia relinqut servare rem
publcan"-He left all to serve the republic On
the reverse of the order LIS Fame browning Gin
cinnatus with wreath. inscribed ''Virtutis
sPraemium"-the reward of yalor. In the back
ground is a seaport city with open gates and
ships entering the harbor and below this are
Joined hands supporting heart inscribed Este
Perpetua"-Be thou Faithful, the command OF
the society The design for this medal was the
work of Major L'Enfant, destined for future
fame the man who was to plan then Capt.
tai of the Nation Washington, d. G.
The membership Of the society was composed
OF officers of the Continental army, native OF
foreign. who had served three years or beer
honorably discharged and to their direct male
descendants by order OF birth, through females