Public Events and Commemorations 
for the W3R^® during 2012

2012-02-15 -- Unveiling of a bust of Gen. Duportail  -- who was loaned by France to the U.S. to be chief engineer for the Continental Army in 1779-81. The bust was given to the "Musée du Génie" (Museum of Military Engineers) in Angers, France, by the Pennsylvania Society SAR and the Branch Française de la SAR. An historical address was presented by Col. Serge Le Pottier (Ret.), who wrote DUPORTAIL ou le Génie de George WASHINGTON (Duportail: George Washington's Engineer). Left to right: J. David Sympson (President-General of the SAR), Lt Col. Labareyre (Curator of the Museum, back row), Col. Le Pottier, Jaques de Trentinian (FRSSAR), bust of Duportail (front row), Lanny Patten (W3R®-PA and PASSAR), and Maj. General Autran (Chief of Military Engineers in France) -- [photo courtesy of Serge Le Pottier]

March 30, 2012, was the Third Anniversary of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a National Historic Trail.

2012-06-10 (Sunday) Hale-Byrnes House in Christiana DE   The public is cordially Invited from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to attend a presentation by Dobbs Ferry author Richard Borkow on his new book, George Washington's Westchester Gamble: The Encampment on the Hudson and the Trapping of Cornwallis. Books will be on hand for sale and autographing Well-behaved children always welcomed. Cost: $5 at the door; includes coffee & dessert. Sponsored by American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware and the W3R® of Delaware (W3R®-DE) Hale-Byrnes House site [*] Map to get there

NPS Inaugurates Its Website for the W3R®-NHT The official National Park Service (NPS) website for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail is now available for public use at www.nps.gov/waro/. On the site you can learn about the historic Revolutionary Route that the allied U.S-French army marched in 1781 to the climactic siege at Yorktown VA, explore the current trail resources, and review the plans for full development of this trail, which was only recently (2009) added to the historic trail managed by the NPS. The NPS logo is used here with permission Read the Newsletters to get the latest news about trail events. The trail is nearly 700 miles long, passes through nine states within a day's drive of some fifty-million people, and will provide touring opportunities for walking, bicycling, boating, auto, and bus travel. Many (untitled) photos of commemorative events along the trail may be viewed at W3R®-NHT photos [Flicker]

2012-09-01 (Saturday) in Marcus Hook PA at 12:30 PM.   The 4th annual W3R® Celebration and (free) Ice Cream Social was held at the historic Plank House and St. Martin's Cemetery. Mr. Joe Becton spoke on the role of the black soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Becton is the founder and director of Becton Tours and Historical Services. He is also the founder of the First Rhode Island regiment Revolutionary War re-enactors. From 2001-2009 he worked as a Park Ranger Supervisor at Independence National Historic Park from 1989 to 1992 he was the Director of Visitor Services at Historic Fort Mifflin He is a member of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Left to tight above are Phil Correll (National Park Service), Ursula Reed ( W3R®US Director), Keynote Speaker Joe Becton, Sallie de Barcza ( W3R®-US Chair), Carl Nittinger (W3R®US Vice Chair), and Michael Meehan (Marcus Hook Historical Society Chairman) Context: It was at Marcus Hook that General Washington learned that the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse had arrived at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, cutting off resupply or escape for the British Army in Yorktown VA. Washington was joyous as he waited on the dock at Marcus Hook to relay the good news to General Rochambeau, who was returning from a boat trip to visit Fort Mifflin, which had held off British attacks for six weeks in 1777. The Rhode Island Regiment, whose ranks included many men of African ancestry, marched with the French troops from Newport RI to Yorktown VA.

The W3R®-US lost a good friend and long-time Director   when Winchell "Win" Smith Carroll died on September 4, 2012. Gen. Rochambeau (John Welsh), Benjamin Franklin (Ralph Archbold), Gen Washington (John Lopes), and Win Carroll (event organizer) with their carriage at Washington Square in Philadelphia on 2008 Sept 13. photo courtesy of Lanny Patten Born in Connecticut in 1937, Win graduated from Yale University with a major in history and spent his whole career in the computer industry with Sperry (now Unisys). After his retirement, Win dedicated himself to lineage societies and historic preservation. He was governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and an honorary vice president of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution. As president of the American Revolution Patriots Fund he raised funds to restore Washington Square (a mass burial site for Americans during the British occupation of Philadelphia) in downtown Philadelphia. For 15 years he was co-chair of Let Freedom Ring, the nationwide ringing of the bells on July 4. Win served as a director of the Friends of Independence National Historical Park, a director of the Flag Day Association of Philadelphia, and a founding director of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund. For many years Win served as president of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R®) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and as a Director of the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association, working hard to establish the new (2009), 685-mile long W3R® National Historic Trail. He gave much time and energy, helped secure state funding for the "Historical and Architectural Survey of the W3R® in Pennsylvania", organized and videotaped many W3R® lectures and commemorations, and gave many talks about the W3R®. The funeral service at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park was followed by interment in the Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery. We shall miss Win's wisdom, broad range of friends, and positive attitude. We are grateful that in the W3R® he found a cause which worthy of support and a group with whom he could participate enthusiastically.

2012-09-08 (Saturday) Virginia Beach VA:   The Battle off the Virginia Capes may soon have a new commemorative marker. The Norfolk Chapter of the VIrginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution hosted a lecture and an open forum. Honorary French Consul Emerita (and W3R®-US Board member), Nicole G. Yancey presented a lecture on "The Trapping of Cornwallis", and attendees participated in a forum on placing an Interpretive marker for the Battle off the Virginia Capes.

2012-09-08 (Saturday) in Newark DE from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.   Celebration of Lafayette's 255th Birthday at the Hale-Byrnes House, where young General Lafayette celebrated his 20th birthday in 1777. Enjoy a colonial militia encampment and demonstrations, music, food, and historic house tours. Benjamin Goldman of Philadelphia portrayed the young General Lafayette. Portraying Lafayette at his 20th birthday party [Photo courtesy of CEM Photography] Left to right: Veronica Eid (W3R®-US & President, Alliance Francaise de Wilmington); Chuck Schwam (Treasurer, American Friends of Lafayette); Benjamen Goldman (American Historical Theatre); Kim Burdick (Former Chair, W3R®-US and Curator, Hale Byrnes House); Bill Conley (W3R®-US and Pencader Heritage); and John Foskey (1st Delaware Regiment) [Photo courtesy of CEM Photography] Context: The week of September 3 - September 11, 1777 was a hectic and frightening time for the residents of Northern New Castle County. The area was full of American soldiers and their opponents, the British, Hessian, and Scottish Highland Regiments, whose goal was to capture the rebel capitol of Philadelphia. On September 3 the sharp skirmish near Cooch's Bridge was fought, with about 30 killed on each side. On September 4 the British raided historic Christiana and captured a stand of flags, one of which was purchassed form the descendants of its captor and is now the property of the Historical Society of Delaware. On September 6, a Council of War was held by George Washington at the home of Quaker pacifist Daniel Byrnes, near Stanton. That meeting was attended by Generals Knox, Greene, and Sullivan, as well as Gen. Washington's young aide-de-camp, Major General Lafayette, who turned 20 that day. The Marquis de Lafayette was a young French captain when he came to the Unites States in 1776 to offer his services to the United States in its War for Independence. He was married (to the daughter of the the Treasurer of France) and had two children when he left France to fight in America. On September 7, Clement Biddle commandeered from Daniel Byrnes' mills 40 wagon loads of wheat and flour as well as 8 large wheels of cheese. On September 8 the American and the British soldiers headed north to Chadds Ford. A brilliant aurora borealis was seen in the sky that evening, causing many to wonder what it might portend. On September 11, 1777, the Americans were routed from the field at the Battle of the Brandywine . On September 12, 1777 Wilmington was occupied by British troops; they stayed in control of that city until October 19-20.

2012-09-15 (Saturday) Pencader (DE) Heritage Museum   6th Annual Commemoration of the Cooch's Bridge Battle of 1777, when the Continental Light Infantry, assisted by the Delaware militia delayed the advance of General Cornwallis' Division of the invading British Army in a sharp exchange of fire with the advance units of Hessian Jaeger elements. The First Delaware Regiment re-enactment group honored the French flag and presented a wreath in honor of the French troops who marched through this battlefield with their Continental Army allies in September 1781 on the way to the siege and victory at Yorktown VA. The French marched through the battlefield again on their return north in the summer of 1782, receiving widespread welcomes from the citizens along the route. left to right: Dick Niecamp, Chris Mlynarczyk (President of the First Delaware Regiment) Alex Nardone, David Nardone (W3R®-US Director), Ann Cooper, Bill Conley (W3R®-US Director, and President , Pencader Heritage Area Association) [Photo courtesy of David Nardone]

2012-09-29 (Saturday) Louisville KY   Dr. Robert A Selig spoke at the Fall Leadership meeting of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He told 200 National Trustees, State Presidents, and others about Louisville, Yorktown, Philadelphia, and the Founding of the United States of America, 1763-1791, linking the western frontier of the American colonies with French aid to the infant United States. This aid was embodied by both a velvet glove -- diplomacy provided in Philadelphia by French ambassadors Gérard and Lucerne -- and an iron fist -- military assistance provided at Yorktown by General Rochambeau and by Admiral de Grasse.     After the presentation SAR President General Stephen Leishman honored Dr. Selig with the Distinguished Patriot Award the society's most prestigious national award. Established in 1987, only one such award may be given each year. Bob Hope was the first recipient, in recognition of his many years of entertaining members of the Armed Forces. President Ronald Reagan received the award after he left office in 1989. President George W. Bush was honored while in office in 2005. Frank Buckles, the last surviving American Soldier of World War I, received the award in 2009.     We members of the W3R®-US are very happy to see our good friend (and fellow member) so prominently recognized for his labors and intriguing presentations during more than a decade. The successful development from the concept of an historical trail to memorialize French aid during the American Revolution to its present status of activities and signage all along the 680-mile route is in large part due to the historical foundation that Bob has built from documents in several languages scattered through archives in Paris, London, and many cities and towns within the U.S.A. Huzzah!    Huzzah!    Huzzah!

[photo courtesy of Robert Selig]

2012-09-29 (Saturday) in Princeton NJ from 10:0 AM to 4:00 PM.   Community Event at the Princeton Battlefield The Princeton Battlefield Society sponsored a colonial militia encampment and demonstrations, children's scavenger hunt, and historic house tours. The historic play "Cato" was performed starting at 4 PM. Context: On their way to Yorktown VA in late August of 1781 several divisions of the allied US-French armies camped along the Assunpink Creek, several hundred yards south of the Princeton Battlefield. Continental troops under Col. Lamb camped here, followed the next day by the First Division of the French army under General Rochambeau.

Help Save a Battlefield: How often do you have a chance to preserve for posterity land that has lain undeveloped since the Revolutionary War? Twenty-two acres of the Princeton Battlefield are under private ownership, and the owner is applying for permits to convert the land to a housing development. The Princeton Battlefield Society is seeking help to prevent this development and to add the land to the current Princeton Battlefield State Park so that the artifacts and the battlefield can be used for public education and recreation. Click on their link "Saving the Battlefield". View a 10-minute video on the park and the land in question. Historical Context: The Battle of Princeton was fought on 1777 January 3. American troops under General George Washington surprised and defeated a force of British Regulars. General Cornwallis and a larger force had camped here only two days previous to this. The allied French and Continental Army forces both marched right past this battlefield on the way to Yorktown VA, allowing General Washington to reflect on the loss of his good friend, General Hugh Mercer, in this battle and General Rochambeau to instruct his senior officers on the tactical points of this battle as it unfolded four and a half years previously.

2012-10-13 Saturday 10 AM in Pennypack Park, Philadelphia PA   Dedication of an historical marker for Pennypack Creek Bridge -- America's Oldest Roadway. This massive stone bridge was constructed in 1697 and was used by the allied Continental and French armies as they traveled to Yorktown VA in August 1781 and then back north again after the siege and victory at Yorktown VA. This bridge was a witness to that march and much else in its 315-year history. history of the bridge news report[ NorthEast Times Star newsweekly, Philadelphia PA]

2012-10-13 (Saturday) in Stanton DE at 7:30 PM   India and the American Revolution???? Who knew that the British took revenge on India in retaliation for French aid to the American colonies? Jack Gardner, Ph.D. described this little-known aspect of the global war that was started by the American Revolution. Sponsored by the American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware. the talk was hosted by the historic Hale Byrnes House near Stanton DE (just off Exit 4B of I-95). Hale-Byrnes House Context: Although preliminary Articles of Peace were signed in January 1783, word of the cease-fire did not reach military units around the globe until months later. Meanwhile in India Adm. Suffren's French fleet participated in the capture of Voloze, Bednor (May 3), Onor, and besieged Mangalore (May 6 to July) and fought Vice-Adm. Hughes' British fleet off Cuddelore, preventing its capture by the British. When Adm. Suffren learned of the Peace Treaty his fleet returned to France. What did the British do? This presentation told it all.

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October 19, 2012, is the 231st Anniversary of the

Surrender of the British at Yorktown to

Generals Washington and Rochambeau.

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Dr. Selig honored One of the major events during Yorktown Day occurred at the French monument when French Consul General Olivier Serot-Almeras presented the medal for the Order of the Academic Palms to Dr. Robert A. Selig for his scholarly research for more than a decade on the documentation that is the basis for our understanding of the path of the W3R® and its history. Wikipedia notes that The Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Order of Academic Palms) is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and educational figures. Originally a decoration founded by Emperor Napoleon to honour eminent members of the University of Paris, it was changed into its current form as an order on 4 October 1955 by President René Coty. Decisions on nominations and promotions are decided by the Minister of Education

[photo courtesy of Galina Chernikova] [photo courtesy of Lanny Pattten]

2012-10-20 (Saturday) in Yorktown VA   The Fall Board meeting of the W3R® -US in Jamestown VA -- the day after Yorktown Day. Minutes of the meeting are now available.

!!! Congratulations Samantha !!! Samantha Driscoll -- Preservation Planner in the National Park Service's Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail group -- has been selected to receive a Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati Fellowship for 2013. This fellowship will allow Samantha to carry out research for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail in the collections of the Society of the Cincinnati library in Washington DC. The research will include a focus on the Battle off the Capes (Sept 5, 1781, also called the Battle of the Chesapeake and the Second Battle off the Virginia Capes) and the personal accounts of French and Continental soldiers of the Yorktown campaign.

2012-10-22 Monday, at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma WA   Celebration of the Life of Damon Rodanc Family and friends gathered for the one year anniversary Celebration of Life and the scattering of Damon's ashes. Read about Damon's contributions to history education and to the W3R®-NHT