The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-04-21

ii 4 lean HeVOluUOn ana, appropriately
enough, the stage setting for this act
k@s d along the Hudson river, which
IAk 1 had been the scene of so many impor-
NE tant events during that struggle More
FNH particularly the locale was the town
Of Newburgh, n. 7.
- It 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 Hasbrouck
mansion, a small, slopingroofed stone farm
house, Washington had established his head
quarters and here were living with him Martha
Washington and members of his military fami-
", officers who had followed his fortunes faith
fully during the war-COl. Tench Tilghman, Col.
David HUMPHREYS Maj Benjamin Walker, Col.
William Stevens Smith, Hedijah Bayles and
Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.. son of the famous
Brother Jonathan Trumbull governor of Con-
necticut.
The camp of the soldiers was pitched in a
semi-circle extending from four miles southwest
of Newburgh to the village of New Windsor on
the west bank Of the Hudson, now a suburb
of Newburgh On the summit of a high. tree
less hill overlooking the valley had been erected
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 70, 1873 Cthe anniversary of the Bat
tie Of Lexington), 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 hostilities At noon 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 not signed until
September 8. 1889 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 II occurred to Gen Hen
~ 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 perpetuatng 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-
prevail of the other officers of the army and Il
also had "the acquiescence and hearty appro-
baton" OF Washington meeting TO organize
such a society was held at Verplanck house. the
headquarters Of Baron Steuben Fish
KILL with that doughty German soldier presid-
ing and Knox serving as secretary general
Among the charter officers present were Major
General Howe, Major General Knox, Brigadier
Generals Patterson, Hand. Huntington Putnam,
Colonel Webb, Lieutenant Colonel Huntington
Major Pettengfll Lieutenant Whiting Col H.
Jackson Captain Shaw Lieutenant Colonel Hull
Lieutenant-ColOnel Maxwell and Colonel Court
land Two hundred and thirty the orig1-
nal roll among them Aaron Burr and Alexander
Hamilton The SI1hS b,rs
added many more to the roll.
Expressive of the purpose of the society was
this preamble TO the articles TO which the men,
bers subscribed: ITO perpetuate as well the re-
membrance Of this vast event (The War of the
Revolution) as the mutual friendships which
have been formed under the pressure of common
danger. and In many instances cemented by the
blood Of the parties. the officers of the American
army do hereby. in the most solemn manner as
sociate, constitute and combine themselves into
one society of friends, TO endure as long as they
shall endure, or any of their closest male nos
terity. and in failure thereof the collateral
branches who may be deemed worthy of becon,-
ing its supporters and members" The term .ofa
GERS was given liberal application-in the origi-
nal roll appear generals. colonies Heutenants
captains. ensigns, surgeons and even paymasters.
The name chosen for the organization was
the Society of the Cincinnati and the selection
VI IuaL 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 Ike the
Cincinnatus of Roman legend had left the plow
for their country's 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. II Is baldheaded
eagle, suspended a blue ribbon with white
borders. IMPLYING the union of France and Amer
lea On the eagles breast is shown Cfncinnatus
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 renquit servare rem
publican'-He left all to serve the republic On
the reverse of the order is Fame browning Gin
cinnatus with a wreath. inscribed .sVirfutfs