USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Newburgh; her institutions, industries and leading citizens, historical, descriptive and biographical > Part 9
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On June 2, 1783, the general orders of the day announced that the men "engaged for the war " would be immediately furloughed, with a proportion of the officers, marched home in divisions, and as soon as a definitive treaty of peace arrived they would be discharged. Those men that remained engaged for other periods were to be formed into complete corps, the officers to agree who should stay, and in cases where they could not agree seniority was to decide. Generals and commanding officers were requested to make arrangements for
* Washington's order.
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marching the troops of their respective States to their homes. This was a judicious method of disbanding the army gradually, without entirely losing the hold of the Congress upon the soldiers before the treaty of peace should be ratified. As this was not done till long afterwards these furloughs amounted to absolute and final discharge.
A CASE OF MISCELLANEOUS RELICS-AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
The issuance of this order was the beginning of the end of the last cantonment of the main Continental army.
The first body of soldiers to leave was the battalion of Maryland troops, which marched southward on June 5, going down the old way back of the Highlands and through New Jersey.
On June 6, in the morning, the New Jersey regiments marched from the cantonment to their own State, where they, like the others, were to be disbanded. The same day the First New York Regiment made a present of their standards and band to Governor Clinton and marched to Poughkeepsie, escorted by the light company of the regiment. The other New York troops were furloughed and dis- handed at the cantonment on the same day. The soldiers for the war of the First New Hampshire Regiment, continental infantry, and the Second New Hampshire Continental Battalion also marched for their homes on this day. The men entitled to furlough in the four invalid companies were disbanded, and the company of sappers and miners at West Point were also dismissed.
One by one the regiments and companies were marching away to their own States, there to separate to their individual homes, or else disbanding on the spot. Next it is the turn of the faithful Life Guards to bid each other farewell. On the following day, June 7, the company was broken up, some going one way and some another, and a guard of about forty men from the Massachusetts line assem- bled at noon at the New Building and relieved them.
But not all the men entitled to leave desired to avail themselves of the privilege. Some of them had no homes to go to. The best years of their life had been spent for their country, and now they were to be cast upon the world, penniless, many of them without ad- equate knowledge of the means of earning a livelihood by civil pursuits, their hard-earned military knowledge worse than useless, to go in silence and alone, and poor and hopeless-is it any wonder many of them did not go? So Washington directed that those who wished not to go should notify their commanders, and an equal num- ber of soldiers who had enlisted for three years might go in their
stead. Those who remained were required to continue their duties as soldiers until the ratification of the treaty of peace.
Commencing with June 8, a division of Massachusetts troops marched away each day, until all entitled to furlough had gone. Four regiments of Massachusetts three-year men remained.
The levees that had been held each day at noon, since April 15, at the New Building were now discontinued. On the day that the order was given lightning struck the flag staff of the New Building, entered the house, ran down the side of it, doing some damage, and stunning several soldiers near the door.
On the 13th the men who had enlisted for three years, and for shorter periods not expired, were formed into regiments.
On June 20 the troops remaining at the cantonment were ordered to march on Monday morning, the 23d, at 5 o'clock, by the left, the senior Brigadier on the Massa- chusetts line to conduct the column over Storm King to West Point. The baggage, with a proper escort, was to go by water.
These corps, with the troops at West Point, were to compose the garrisons at that post and its dependencies.
Accordingly, on the next Monday, the troops were astir at day-break, and early in the morning they left their barracks and tents and marched away over the Storm King, and the last cantonment of the main Continental army came to an end. Four companies were left to do ordinary guard - I-N-Co. duty over the public property, and were di- rected to be relieved every nine days by a detachment from West Point. All the gen- eral officers who had been doing duty lately in camp were given leave of absence, except Major-General Knox, who had assumed command at West Point, and Brigadier-Generals John Patterson and John Greatton, who served under him. General Howe was retained for temporary duty at Philadelphia.
On August 26, 1783, the Quartermaster-General's office at New- burgh issued a notice that on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 2 p. m., the
THIRTY-TWO-POUND IRON GUN-AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS. Part of the Armament of Fort Ticonderoga. Captured from the English by Ethan Allen. Recaptured by Burgoyne, and returned to the Americans at Saratoga.
huts lately occupied by the First and Third Massachusetts Brigades, the building called the Temple, and other scattered huts in the vicinity, would be sold at anction. Also, on the following day, at Newburgh,
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would be sold at auction a number of wagons and a quantity of public stores. It is presumed that this sale occurred as per advertisement, and that the huts and the Temple were removed immediately there-
marched to New York and took possession of that city on its evacuation by the British on Nov. 25, at which event Washington was present. In December Washington surrendered his com- mission to Congress, and this terminated his career with the Continental army.
On the 4th of July, 1850, the ancient dwelling that had been his headquarters was dedicated to be a monument of the great and touching events above related, while a multitude of people stood by. A military and civic procession marched to the grounds and gathered about a lofty flagstaff newly erected, from which was to float a flag bearing the inscription, " Liber- ty and Union now and forever, one and inseparable." Major-General Scott was there to raise it. Judge Monell made an address, and an ode, composed for the occasion by his wife, was sung. As the last verse rang out upon the Summer air-
" With a prayer your faith expressing, Raise your country's flag on high; Here, where rests a nation's blessing, Stars and stripes shall float for aye! Mutely telling Stirring tales of days gone by,"-
the old hero pulled on the halyard, and the flag rose to the top, and as it swung out to the breeze, a deafening hurrah rang out over the river.
The building is owned by the State aud in the control of the Trustees appointed by the Governor, viz: Hon. Joel T. Headley, Major Edward C. Boynton, John C. Adams, Hon. James G. Graham, Charles S. Jenkins, Hon. M. H. Hirschberg, A. S. Ring, Jos. H. H. Chapman, David Carson and Lewis M. Smith.
A CASE OF CLOTHING, BOOKS, &C .- AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
after. Considerable property was removed to West Point, and re- mained there for many years. On the 18th of July Wash-
ington proceeded up the Hudson. At Albany he was joined by Governor Clinton and a small party. After visiting the scene of Burgoyne's surrender, Lake George, the Mohawk Valley and other points of interest, he arrived back at Newburgh August 5. On August 17 he issued his last general order from army headquarters, announcing his de- parture to meet Congress at Princeton. On the following day he left Newburgh, stop- ping at West Point, and thence resuming his journey; his temporary headquarters be- ing ultimately established at Rocky Hill, where he issued his farewell orders, and where he remained till November, when he returned to West Point. In October, after the treaty of peace had been ratified, Con- gress by proclamation discharged all the soldiers who had been "enlisted for the war," and been furloughed in June. The remaining men, consisting of those who had enlisted for shorter periods, were dis- banded Nov. 3. A small force of re-enlist- ed men were retained for duty at West Point, and these, with such disbanded men and militia as could be brought together,
A CASE OF INDIAN RELICS-AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.
Revolutionary Events Commemorated at Newburgh and Neighboring Towns.
EWBURGH celebrated the advent of the Centennial Year by a general rejoicing. The jubilee began about nine o'clock on the evening of Friday, Dec. 31, 1875, and continued throughout the night, although the par- ticular demonstration occurred during the few hours first following midnight and the birth of the new year. The principal feature of the celebration was a torch- light procession. After the preparatory hum of assembling, the organizations intending to join in the nocturnal parade began to
arrive at the ren- dezvons on Broad- way at half-past eleven. Scarcely had they formed the line ere a rocket soared heavenward announcing the end of the old year and the birth of the new, the signal for the procession to move. Then en- sued a pandemon- inm the like of which Newburgh never heard before. Mighty hnzzas went up from the greatmultitude that packed the broad thorough- farc. A hundred steam-whistles rent the air with ear- splitting shrieks. Every whistle in the city - locomo- tive, factory and steamboat whistles and every bell, great and small, joined in the glad acclamation. Dis- charges of cannon- ry reverberated along the hills, a countless number of tin-horns were blown, the sky became aflame with the glare from monster bonfires, colored fires, rockets and all manner of pyrotechnics, and thousands of voices shouted forth thanksgiving that the nation had lived to see this day. And thus was the birth of the centennial year announced.
The jubilee procession was commanded by Colonel William D. Dickey and was composed of the Nineteenth Battalion, fire companies,
Ellis Post and several societies. A hay-rigging, loaded with barrels filled with straw and saturated with oil, was hurried ahead of the procession, and its crew started bonfires on every corner. Nearly every house was illuminated and decorated. The noise of the demonstration was heard miles away, and the illumination seen afar off. The procession reached Washington's headquarters at 1.15 a. m., and while standing around the flag-pole " My Country, 'Tis of Thee" was sung. The celebration was a spontaneous and almost extemporaneous outburst of patriotic enthusiasm. Ellis Post went down to the Long Dock and fired a national salute, and sang patriotic songs. Watch- night services were held in five church- es, banquets were giveu, and the thanksgiving and merry - making were continued till nearly daybreak.
THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
A CASE OF INDIAN WAR IMPLEMENTS-AT WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
The Sabbath pre- ceding the Fourth of July, 1876, was devoted by the people to the praise and worship of the Almighty Ruler of the universe for the preservation of the nation. Patriotic sermons were preached and ap- propriate hymns were sung in all the churches. In the afternoon five thousand people gathered at Wash ington's Head- quarters. At 2.30 o'clock a children's service was held, presided over by Mayor McCroskery. The service for adults commenced at 4 o'clock, Rev. Dr. John Forsyth presiding. The One Hundredth Psalm was sung, the singing being led by a large choir. Rev. O. Applegate read the 35th Psalm, and prayer was offered by Rev. G. S. Hare. The national hymn, "Lord, While for all Mankind we Pray," was sung to the tune of Dundee. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Carlisle from the following text: "Thou hast [43]
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brought a vine out of Egypt : thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou preparedst room for it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land."-PSALM 80: 8-9.
The Centennial Fourth was celebrated with great spirit, and with the usual cannonry and bell-ringing at sunrise, noon and sunset. In the morning there was a parade by the fire department, military com-
MEN-W
WASHINGTON'S CHAIR.
At Washington's Headquarters. One of a Set in Use there during Washington's occupation. Preserved in the Hasbrouck family.
panies, veteran soldiers and many societies. Exercises were after- ward held at Washington's Headquarters, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Major E. C. Boynton, an oration by Hon. A. J. Thomson of Schenectady, and a poem by Mr. J. Owen Moore, of Washington- ville. In the evening a fireworks exhibition was given on the City Terrace, at the head of South Street.
CELEBRATIONS OF 1883.
The great Revolutionary centennials, commencing with that of Lexington and followed during the course of eight years by cele- brations at Bunker Hill, Philadelphia, Stony Point, Saratoga, York- town and other places, were brought to a close by a series of celebra- tions at Newburgh and its vicinity, where the closing scenes of the Revolution were enacted. The centennial of the proclamation of the cessation of hostilities was the first. The 19th of April was observed as a holiday in Newburgh, and Mayor Ward issued a proclamation. At noon a salute from Washington's Headquarters was fired and an- swered by salutes from West Point and Fishkill Landing ; the church bells rang out in glad acclaim, and many steam whistles joined in the great rejoicing. In the afternoon the Tenth Separate Company, Cap- tain Joseph M. Dickey, made a street parade. In the evening fires were burning on the Beacons, on Breakneck, the Storm King and Snake Hill. The Tenth Separate Company gave a banquet at the
United States Hotel, Captain Joseph M. Dickey, presiding, and ad dresses were delivered by Judge Monell, E. M. Ruttenber, Hon. Joel T. Headley, Rev. Dr. Forsyth, Major E. C. Boynton, J Hervey Cook and Hon. James G. Graham. These exercises were sup- plemented by an additional commemoration of a religious character on the ensuing Sabbath, held at the Newburgh Armory, in charge of the clergymen of the city. Though the day was stormy several thousand people were present. The Rev. Dr. William K. Hall pre- sided, and made an address. Mayor Ward, the Common Council, nearly all of the clergymen of the city, members of the Newburgh and Fishkill centennial committees and others occupied seats on the platform. The large audience sang hymns, led by a choir of a hun- dred voices and a brass band. The Rev. Dr. Forsyth offered prayer, the Rev. Samuel Carlisle read Scripture passages, another prayer was offered by the Rev. W. H. Mickle ; the Rev. Dr. O. Applegate and the Rev. Arthur Jones made addresses ; Dr. Hall read the Revolutionary army's great anthem, "No King but God," and various other clergy- men had a part in the exercises.
Saturday, June 2, there was a memorable observance in the Village of Fishkill, across the river from this city. The village was gaily decorated. Business was entirely suspended. There was a procession, including thirty-eight young ladies in a representation of the States; also music, addresses and a general rejoicing.
On June 22, a celebration was held at Temple Hill, New Wind- sor, on the old campground of the army where so many memorable events occurred. Several thousand people assembled there, including the veterans of the 124th Regiment. Patriotic addresses were made by Hon. James G. Graham, Judge E. L. Fancher, E. M. Ruttenber, General George H. Sharpe, Hon. C. H. Winfield and William Van- amee, Esq., of Middletown. A long letter from Judge Monell was read, Clarence F. Buhler read a poem, and the people sang Billings' anthem.
The Newburgh Centennial, the greatest of all the Revolutionary celebrations, occurred October 18, 1883. Two years had been spent in preparation, and Congress, the Legislature and the Common Council had made liberal appropri- ations. When the sun looked over the Fishkill mountains that memor- able morning, the North Atlantic Squadron of five men-of-war lying 8 in the bay had just shaken the city to its foundations with its tremendous guns. Again at eight 1 o'clock windows rattled and the 2 houses shook with the concussions 10 of the great guns as they proclaim- ed the arrival of the Tallapoosa with the Secretary of War. The 7 day had hardly dawned ere thous- ands of people began to flock into 5 41 the city, by railway trains, road- wagons and steamboats. Thous- At Washington's Headquarters. The MARTHA WASHINGTON'S WATCH watch bears the name of the maker " Barwie, London, No. 743." It was made to order for Mrs. Custis, (1758) before her marriage with Washington and was worn by her for many years, including the period of her occupan- cy of the Headquarters building with her husband. Its authenticity is un- questionable, but the case inscription of " Bridal Watch " ettached to it is a fiction. " Martha Custis" is in let- ters on the face, over the figures commencing at figura l. ands upon thousands were landed by the ferryboats. A multitude was surging about the ferry-house at Fishkill for hours, the people accumulating faster than the boats could transport them over the river. The railroads brought thousands into the union depot at Newburgh, and up to eleven o'clock about twenty-five excursion boats had arrived. The river-front was lined with steamers from Sherman's Dock to the coal docks, and anchored in the stream were the men-of-war and numerous yachts.
The day was very propitious, and so full and ample were the preparations by the Centennial Committee that everything passed off in a satisfactory manner, to the great delight and pleasure of a vast number of people. Newburgh never looked handsomer or appeared
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to better advantage. So profuse and beautiful were the decorations that the city seemed one mass of brilliant color, and here and there was an outburst that almost dazzled the beholder and made him think of scenes in fairyland. For days before the place had a holiday appearance, giving evidence of what might be expected on the great day, when the greatest anticipations were not disappointed.
The procession was a magnificent pageant, and the general verdict was that a finer parade of mixed organizations of the same number of men had never been seen in this country. The military bodies were the best the States afforded, and were supplemented by the splendid naval brigade, and as fine a division of firemen as ever dragged a machine. There were fully forty bands, including several of the most famous in the country, and nearly a score of drum corps. The procession approached three miles in length and required about an hour and a half to pass a given point. The line formed in Broadway and the side streets, between Colden and Dubois, and started at 11.50. The last of the procession did not pass Grand Street going down Broadway till 1.05 p. m. The head of the column, then passing south in Grand Street, was out on Broadway again two minutes after. The corner was cleared just in time. In other words the moving column extended from the corner down Broadway, through Colden and Water Streets to Grand, and back southward in Grand Street to Broadway again -this in the early portion of the parade, when the bodies were moving close together.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Company of New York City Police. Grand Marshal, Charles H. Weygant. H. P. Ramsdell, Chief of Staff. Aids:
Thomas W. Bradley, Dr. John Deyo, William H. Kelly, John A. McDonnell,
J. Owen Moore, Charles E. Snyder, J. D. Mabie, Frederick Decker,
N. H. Schram,
Charles Mapes,
James W. Benedict,
James Heard, Clark B. Galatian, Seneca W. Merritt.
Buglers, Color Bearers and Orderlies.
FIRST DIVISION.
Marshal, Brigadier-General Lonis Fitzgerald. Staff, Bugler and Orderlies.
Seventh Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., of New York City, 700 men. Cappa's Seventh Regiment Band, 55 pieces. Drum and Bugle Corps, 30 pieces. Col. Emmons Clark and Staff. Lient .- Col. George Moore Smith. Major Richard Allison. Company C-Captain Don Alonzo Pollard. Company B-Captain Henry S. Steel. Company G-Captain James C. Abrams. Company A-Captain Augustus W. Connor. Company I-Captain William C. Casey. Company E-Captain George B. Rhodes, Company H-Captain James L. Price. Company K-Captain Francis W. Bacon. Company F-Captain Daniel Appleton. Company D-Captain W. H. Kipp.
Uniformed Seventh Regiment Veteran Battalion, 350 men. 8th Regiment Band, 40 pieces. Colonel Locke W. Winchester. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles B. Bostwick. Major John H. Kemp. Company A-Captain Henry I. Hayden. Company B-Captain John C. Griffing. Company C-Captain John W. Murray. Company D-Captain William H. Riblet. Company E-Captain Wm. A. Speaight. Company F-Captain Edward O. Bird. Company G-Captain Lyman Tiffany. Company H-Captain Henry C. Shumway. Company I-Captain Edward G. Arthur. Company K-Captain James Ray.
Officers of day and distinguished guests in 50 carriages. Peter Ward, Mayor of Newburgh, Chairman of the Committee in Charge. Hon. Joel T. Headley, President Washington's Headquarters Commission. Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, Presiding Officer.
Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Orator. Mr. Wallace Bruce, Poet. Rev. S. Irenæus Prime, D. D., Chaplain. Hon. William E. Chandler, Secretary of the Navy. Hon. Grover Cleveland, Governor of New York, and Staff. Hon. Augustus O. Bourn, Governor of Rhode Island, and Staff. Major-General Carr and Staff. Major-General Shaler and Staff. Members of the Joint Congressional Committee, viz .: Hon. Lewis Beach, Hon. Warner Miller, Hon. J. H. Ketcham, Hon. Joseph R. Hawley, Hon. A. G. Curtin, Hon. Amos Townsend. Brevet Major-General W. D. Whipple, A. A. G. Major Asa B. Gardner, Judge Advocate, and Captain G. S. L. Ward, Aide-de-Camp, of General Hancock's Staff. Common Council of City of Newburgh. Delegates Society of the Cincinnati and 100 distinguished guests.
SECOND DIVISION. Marshal, William D. Dickey. Howard Thornton, Chief of Staff.
Aids :
B. B. Moore, Augustus Senior, Albert N. Chambers, Kelsey Fullagar,
J. S. Wiseman, E. A. Brown,
G. Gartzman, M. D., James Ogden, John A. Staples.
G. Fred Wiltsie,
Battalion of 5th U. S. Artillery, dismounted. Governor's Island Band. Brevet Brigader-General R. H. Jackson, commanding. Company A-Captain and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel B. Beck. Company B-Captain N. E. Van Reed. Company 1-Captain G. W. Crabb. Company M-Captain G. V. Wier.
Naval Brigade, from North Atlantic Squadron, 800 men. Marine Band, 20 pieces. Pioneer Corps. Commander A. V. Reed, U. S. N., commanding. Lientenant C. E. Callahan, U. S. N., Adjutant-General.
Marine Battalion-Captain W. S. Muse, U. S. N., Commanding.
Infantry Battalion (Sailors)-Lient. R. P Rodgers, U. S. N., commanding. Artillery Battalion-Lieut. G. W. Tyler, U. S. N., commanding. Rear-Admiral G. H. Cooper, staff and officers of fleet, in carriages.
Tenth Separate Company, of Newburgh, 40 men. Tenth Regiment Band, of Albany, 24 pieces. Captain J. M. Dickey, commanding.
Putnam Phalanx Battalion, of Hartford, 125 men. Battalion Drum Corps, 14 pieces. Alvin Squires, Major, commanding, and staff. First Company-Captain C. A. Case. Second Company-Captain Joseph Warner. Honorary Corps-Captain J. W. Welch.
Nineteenth Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y., of Poughkeepsie, 60 men. Drum Corps. Captain Hanbennestel, commanding.
Twenty-third Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., of Brooklyn, 550 men. Twenty-third Regiment Band, 50 pieces. Fife and Bugle Corps, 20 pieces. Colonel Rodney C. Ward and Staff. Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Frothingham. Major C. L Fincke. Company G-Captain Alfred H. Williams. Company E-Captain Arthur Guthrie. Company H-Captain Alexis C. Smith. Company K-Captain Charles E. Waters. Company F-Captain George H. Pettit. Company B-First Lieutenant Willard L. Candee. Company C-Captain Ezra De Forest. Company A-Captain Arthur B. Hart. Company D-Captain Darius Ferry.
Third Regt., N. G. S. N. J. (Garfield Legion), Elizabeth, N. J., 400 men. Third Regiment Band, 25 pieces. Colonel E. H. Ropes and Staff. Lieut .- Colonel M. N. Oviatt. Major A. B. Lee. Company A-Captain G. C. Amerod. Company B-Captain J. V. Allstroon. Company D-Captain John D. Stroud. Company C-Captain W. H. DeHart. Company G-Captain O. S. Stanhope.
Company E, Seventh N. J., 70 men-Captain A. J. Buck. Temporarily attached to Third New Jersey Regiment.
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Cadet Battalion of the Peekskill (N. Y.) Military Academy, 125 strong. Drum Corps. Colonel Wright commanding.
THIRD DIVISION.
Marshal, Edward D. Hayt. C. L. Waring, Chief of Staff. Aids :
Wm. T. Peters,
Edward Whelan,
John Smith, W. H. Van Sciver,
Edward Stocker, F. H. Mason, M. V. Waring, C. F. Wells.
Thirteenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., of Brooklyn, 600 men.
Dodworth's Thirteenth Regiment Band, 50 pieces. Drum and Bugle Corps, 30 pieces. Colonel David E. Austin and Staff, Lieutenant-Col. Theodore B. Gates. Major W. B. Tyson. Regimental Veteran Corps, Col. Willoughby Powell. Company G-Captain William L. Watson. Company H-Captain C. P Kretchmar. Company D-Captain Edward Fackuer. Company I-Captain James S. Manderville. Company K-Captain George B. Squires. Company F-Captain William H. Courtney. Company C-Captain F B. S. Morgan. Company A-Captain Wm. L. Collins. Company D-First Lieut. D. M. D. Company B-Captain Ed. M. Smith. 13th Regiment Battery, Captain G. W. Corcoran.
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