Following a series of stinging defeats at the hands of the British in New York and New Jersey, Gen. George Washington’s depleted army fled across the Delaware River to Bucks County in December 1776.
Seeking to fortify his position along the river, Washington posted garrisons at key ferry crossings from Yardley to Coryell’s Ferry, now New Hope, where General LaRouche de Fermoy commanded the German and First Pennsylvania Regiments.
Eighteen months later, after surviving a brutal winter at Valley Forge, Gen. Washington led his entire Continental Army—more than 10,000 strong—to New Hope, then Coryell’s Ferry, where they crossed the Delaware again, this time on their way to the important Battle of Monmouth. The army, once again, encamped in New Hope on the banks of the historic Delaware River, as they crossed over a period of three days from June 20 to 22.
On Sunday, July 9 at 2 p.m., in celebration of Independence Day, the New Hope Historical Society will present a Walking Tour that will trace the movements of George Washington’s troops through New Hope during those two important sagas in American History. Led by Historical Society board member and author, Roy Ziegler, the tour will discuss the locations, conditions and events surrounding those critical events.
The tour will begin at the Parry Mansion Museum at 45 S. Main St., New Hope. Admission to the tour is $10. Tickets may be purchased at newhopehistorical.org.
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