Posted on 12/25/2005 8:49:03 PM PST by indcons
WASHINGTON CROSSING, N.J. Dec 25, 2005 — Hundreds of spectators along the Delaware River saw the first complete re-enactment since 2001 of Gen. George Washington's historic crossing.
Unlike the past three attempts, when days of precipitation pushed water levels and speeds above safety levels, this Christmas presented a more placid route from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
Jim Gibson, portraying Washington in a full uniform replete with sword and peaked cap, and about 60 of his fellow re-enactors made it across in two longboats just as a raw mist became a steady rain.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
The re-enactors had a decent day yesterday, despite the rain. It was unseasonably warm and not windy. Some years they fight sub-freezing temps and strong winds as well as any kind of wintry precipitation mixes. I'm sure they appreciated the conditions yesterday.
"The Crossing" is one of my favorites.
You are so right, and if kids don't understand what the revolution meant and the effect it's had on the world, they don't value it.
Pharmboy, you are correct. James Madison didn't serve in the Continental Army, he was a member of the Continental Congress. Alexander Hamilton did serve as an aide de camp to Washington after March 1777 but at Trenton he was an artillery officer.
James Monroe was the future President who was wounded at Trenton. He was then serving as a Lt. in the 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment. After recovering from his wound, he was promoted and became aide de camp to General William Alexander "Lord" Stirling.
I think cynicom was just playing a nasty game and baiting us with known falsehoods. If not that, he must be a bit retarded. Read his/her posts and you'll see what I mean.
In the picture, Washington's head gear looks more like a traditional three-cornered hat. Now I realize Victoria's Secret is a sponsor...
I had an ancestor who was one of the rowers.
I found this out by reading a genealogical journal that many years later, when this ancestor was an old man, he rode to his daughter's house and gave her the piece of scrip he had received from General Washington for his rowing services that night, that she might keep it for his grandson.
Wouldn't I LOVE to know whatever became of that piece of scrip?
"Two future Presidents of the United States crossed the river that fateful night, James Madison and James Monroe. Also along with the army were a future Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Marshall, and famous rivals Aarron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Besides Washington, only two of the figures in the boat have been identified. Look closely at the fellow holding the flag, and you'll see James Monroe.
" He was quartered in the house where Washington made the decision to cross, and served as a scout and trusted adviser to the General, but there's nothing in the historical records to indicate he crossed in the same boat. Note the so-called "Betsy Ross" flag, with the stars in a circle. This design first came into existence some six months after the crossing."
Perhaps you have something that indicates an error in history books???
"Tradition: • Washington’s army crossing the Delaware in the freezing conditions has become an important national image for the United States as can be seen in Emmanuel Leutze’s picture. • Present at the battle were: two other future presidents James Madison and James Monroe, the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.
Another...
"Two presidents-to-be crossed with Washington, James Madison and James Monroe, are believed to be holding the flag in the painting. History, though, says nothing about Monroe actually being aboard Washington's boat. And the flag that he gripped, with stars in a circle, did not fly until some eight months after the crossing. John Marshall made the crossing. He would become a chief justice of Supreme Court. Rivals Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton also made the trip."
There are many inaccuaracies in the Leutze painting, but let me repeat: James Madison was never in the Continental Army and did NOT accompany Washington during the New Jersey campaign. He was in Virginia at the time. So yes--those references are wrong. Madison, while brilliant, was physically small (5'4") and sickly. Here's one source:
Madison, James (1751-1836) Statesman, 4th President of the US: Madison grew up in Virginia, studied at the College of New Jersey, now Princeton, and returned to Virginia without a clear career path. In 1774, dismayed by the persecution of Protestant dissenters in his home county, he sought public office in order to bring an end to religious persecution. Although he was a slave owner, he expressed distaste for his position, but could not find an opportunity to fight slavery. His frail body prevented him from joining the military when the colonies broke with England, but Madison fought politically by becoming a representative to the Virginia Convention, which voted to cut ties with Britain and create one of the first state constitutions and bills of rights. Madison's suggestion of changing the wording from "toleration" of religion to "free exercise" of worship made a tremendous impact on the eventual attitude toward religion that would be espoused by the federal constitution. Madison was placed on the state executive council, where he met and befriended Thomas Jefferson. snip...
All of those references (as often happens on the internet) quote from the same erroneous source. Madison was never there (the closest he ever came was years before when he graduated Princeton, then known as the College of NJ).
I have not had time to do any research other than google.
I indeed do have a faulty memory, that I admit, however I did not understand your personal attacks. I do not indulge in such.
No that would be General Sherman
My ancestor who rowed with Washington on the crossing had the surname "Jack"...I cannot remember which first name (James Jack perhaps?) because it has been some time since I discovered that tidbit in a very very long geneaological journal.
The "Jack" family (my branches, scots-irish who settled in Pennsylvania) was rather well-known for its military endeavors, dating back to French-Indian War, and may have been known to Washington from his earliest military campaigns in that war. They were among first to toss in with the Revolutionary army.
Sometime we should start a topic here where folks post vignettes about the Rev War gleaned from family anecdotal records.
Sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately I have told you about all I know about my Revolutionary War era ancestors. Much of my father's family genealogy records were lost in a barn fire back before the Depression. Only by luck did I find a genealogy resource over the Internet that connected up with my limited genealogy records.
It turned out that my direct ancestors came to Colonial Pennsylvania and founded a Mennonite church in a town near Philadelphia. The Mennonite church had kept a detailed genealogy record of my father's family ever since, with links going back to Switzerland a few generations into the late 1600s. A heritage that I never knew about until recently.
It's a shame Ted Kennedy wasn't around at the time, he could have drove...
First re-enactments were done with John B. Kelly, Jr. until his death. (Brother of Grace Kelly) Saw him do the crossing in 1985.
A&E did a great film on Washington Crossing the Delaware a few years ago. It showed snow and terrible weather. Just think if it had never happened. God was on Washington's side that night.
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