Hudson River Valley Institute - Special Event, May 3, 2008
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| Tappantown Historical Society |
Press release for Patriots' Weekend/ 225th Anniversary event:
Prelude to the Evacuation of New York: The 225th Anniversary of the Meetings between General
George Washington and British General Guy Carleton to be Celebrated in Rockland County
(Poughkeepsie: April 21, 2008) On Saturday, May 3, 2008, the Village of Piermont and the George Washington
Masonic Historic Site at Tappan will host a special celebration to mark the 225th anniversary of the meetings
between General George Washington and British General Guy Carleton on May 6 and 7, 1783. From 10:00 am-4:30
pm, this free outdoor program will recapture the excitement generated by the presence of the commander in chiefs
of both armies and their entourages.
On April 19, 1783, General George Washington issued his proclamation to the Continental Army declaring a cessation of
hostilities with the British army at New Windsor Cantonment. On May 3rd he left his headquarters in Newburgh and
traveled by barge first to West Point and then to Peekskill for the night; he arrived the next morning at the Tappan Slote.
On May 4th British General Guy Carleton proceeded aboard the frigate Perseverance from New York City to Sneden’s
Landing and Dobb’s Ferry, arriving on May 5th. On May 6th Washington welcomed Carleton ashore at the Onderdonk
property, Tappan Slote, after which they proceeded to the DeWint House in Tappan for negotiations about issues relating
to the evacuation of New York by the British Army. On May 7th, they met again aboard the Perseverance off of Sneden’s
Landing. Washington received a 17-gun salute upon his arrival aboard and upon his departure, the first formal
recognition of the sovereignty of the United States of America.
The day’s events will start at 10:00 am and will include artillery salutes, ceremonies, tactical exercises, drill, reviews, and
camp life at the DeWint House, Tappan. Beginning at 10:00 am, at Piermont Pier, visitors will be able to watch Generals
Washington and Carleton meet and be greeted by military music, fanfare, and cannon and musket fire. As General
Washington boards and leaves the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, representing the British frigate Perseverance, he
will receive 17-gun salutes. The generals will then take a carriage accompanied by a mounted escort to Tappan
following the King’s Highway.
Re-enactors will be at the sites to bring this pivotal moment in American history to life. At about 12:30 pm military music,
fanfare, and cannon and musket fire will herald the arrival of the two generals at the DeWint House. They will then
conduct consultations on agreements leading to the evacuation of New York: the return of British prisoners, the schedule
for evacuation, and the disposition of American property, including slaves. General Washington will end the meeting by
offering his guests “wine and bitters.” They will then enjoy a “sumptuous repast” provided by Samuel Fraunces (Old ’76
House), relaxing “in peace and harmony and good fellowship.” The meal will be followed by
a review and feu de joie (firing of joy) in honor of both commanders, military music, and 18th century artillery and
musket/bayonet drill. The day will close with a sham battle and a retreat ceremony at 4:30 pm marking the end of the
military day.
Sponsorship is being provided by the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, the Hudson River Valley National
Heritage Area, the George Washington Masonic Historic Site, the Old ‘76 House, the Tappantown Historical Society, and
the Village of Piermont.
For information about this event, please call 845-575-3052 or write to hrvi@marist.edu. For the detailed schedule of
events, go to www.hudsonrivervalley.org .
Prelude to the Evacuation of New York: The 225th Anniversary of the Meetings between General
George Washington and British General Guy Carleton to be Celebrated in Rockland County
(Poughkeepsie: April 21, 2008) On Saturday, May 3, 2008, the Village of Piermont and the George Washington
Masonic Historic Site at Tappan will host a special celebration to mark the 225th anniversary of the meetings
between General George Washington and British General Guy Carleton on May 6 and 7, 1783. From 10:00 am-4:30
pm, this free outdoor program will recapture the excitement generated by the presence of the commander in chiefs
of both armies and their entourages.
On April 19, 1783, General George Washington issued his proclamation to the Continental Army declaring a cessation of
hostilities with the British army at New Windsor Cantonment. On May 3rd he left his headquarters in Newburgh and
traveled by barge first to West Point and then to Peekskill for the night; he arrived the next morning at the Tappan Slote.
On May 4th British General Guy Carleton proceeded aboard the frigate Perseverance from New York City to Sneden’s
Landing and Dobb’s Ferry, arriving on May 5th. On May 6th Washington welcomed Carleton ashore at the Onderdonk
property, Tappan Slote, after which they proceeded to the DeWint House in Tappan for negotiations about issues relating
to the evacuation of New York by the British Army. On May 7th, they met again aboard the Perseverance off of Sneden’s
Landing. Washington received a 17-gun salute upon his arrival aboard and upon his departure, the first formal
recognition of the sovereignty of the United States of America.
The day’s events will start at 10:00 am and will include artillery salutes, ceremonies, tactical exercises, drill, reviews, and
camp life at the DeWint House, Tappan. Beginning at 10:00 am, at Piermont Pier, visitors will be able to watch Generals
Washington and Carleton meet and be greeted by military music, fanfare, and cannon and musket fire. As General
Washington boards and leaves the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, representing the British frigate Perseverance, he
will receive 17-gun salutes. The generals will then take a carriage accompanied by a mounted escort to Tappan
following the King’s Highway.
Re-enactors will be at the sites to bring this pivotal moment in American history to life. At about 12:30 pm military music,
fanfare, and cannon and musket fire will herald the arrival of the two generals at the DeWint House. They will then
conduct consultations on agreements leading to the evacuation of New York: the return of British prisoners, the schedule
for evacuation, and the disposition of American property, including slaves. General Washington will end the meeting by
offering his guests “wine and bitters.” They will then enjoy a “sumptuous repast” provided by Samuel Fraunces (Old ’76
House), relaxing “in peace and harmony and good fellowship.” The meal will be followed by
a review and feu de joie (firing of joy) in honor of both commanders, military music, and 18th century artillery and
musket/bayonet drill. The day will close with a sham battle and a retreat ceremony at 4:30 pm marking the end of the
military day.
Sponsorship is being provided by the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, the Hudson River Valley National
Heritage Area, the George Washington Masonic Historic Site, the Old ‘76 House, the Tappantown Historical Society, and
the Village of Piermont.
For information about this event, please call 845-575-3052 or write to hrvi@marist.edu. For the detailed schedule of
events, go to www.hudsonrivervalley.org .
The 225th Anniversary of the Meetings between General George Washington
and British General Guy Carleton to be Celebrated in Rockland County
SATURDAY, May 3, 2008
10:00 A.M. Camp at The George Washington Masonic Historic Site (DeWint House) at Tappan,
New York, opens to the public
18th century military activities and camp demonstrations ongoing all day
10:00 A.M. Site opens at Piermont Pier, Piermont, New York
10:30 A.M. General Guy Carleton comes ashore from Perseverance (Clearwater ) at the
Tappan Slote (Piermont Pier) where he is met by General George Washington
10:45 A.M. Generals Washington and Carleton review the assembled honor guard and then
receive appropriate honors. They confer and then General Carleton returns to the
Perseverance.
11:15 A.M. General Washington boards the Perseverance for his meeting with the British to
the sound of a 17-gun salute. After meeting, the two generals come ashore to a 17-gun salute.
11:45 A.M. Generals Washington and Carleton proceed by carriage to the DeWint House
The George Washington Masonic Historic Site (DeWint House) Tappan, New York
12:30 A.M. Generals Washington and Carleton receive appropriate honors and salutes upon
their arrival at Tappan; they then conduct consultations on agreements leading to the
evacuation of New York: return of British prisoners, schedule for evacuation, and disposition
of American property, including slaves
1:15 P.M. General Washington ends the meeting by offering his guests “wine and bitters.”
They then enjoy a “sumptuous repast” provided by “Samuel Fraunces,” relaxing “in peace and
harmony and good fellowship”
2:00 P.M. Formation, inspection, review, and feu de joie in honor of both commanders
2:30 P.M. Military music, 18th century artillery, and musket/bayonet drill
3:30 P.M. Tactical Weapons Demonstration
4:30 P.M. Retreat; soldiers’ camp and site close to public