A Brush With The Past—

Revolutionary War Marches Through Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

Two hundred twenty-five years later — to the day — the restless past tugged at Newtown’s sleeve for attention last Thursday afternoon as the town remembered some of its own Revolutionary War history at a plaque dedication at Hawley School.

“This is a special time,” historian Dan Cruson said as he prepared to unveil a commemorative plaque done in remembrance of revolutionary events.

Prior to the unveiling, the June 29 ceremony reflected on incidents that occurred more than two centuries ago when French troops “were here in Newtown” on the 28th of June 1781, and marched out again on July 1 of that year.

Coincidentally, the troops, or at least several soldiers, were in town again as a reenactment troop traveled a route the French used during the Revolutionary War.

Mr Cruson coordinated his event with the March to Yorktown — a group of men and women who have devoted weeks of their time to retrace the steps of French General Compte de Rochambeau, who led his troops across American soil to help colonists fight the British. The troops had sailed from France to aid the American soldiers, and formed a military allegiance with those of General George Washington in their fight for independence during the revolution. Weary from traveling on foot from where they came ashore in Rhode Island and facing an even longer journey to their eventual destination in Yorktown, Va., the French troops had set up camp in the vicinity of St Rose of Lima Church.

Noting this “historic moment,” of the late 1700s, Mr Cruson said, “We think the first Catholic Mass [in Newtown] was said by Rochambeau’s chaplain.” Honoring that long ago prayer, Mr Cruson introduced St Rose Pastor Robert Weiss.

Pastor Weiss introduced a prayer saying, “Thank You for our men who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and continue to instill in the hearts of our young the principals of this country.”

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal noted the Revolutionary War’s significance: “It is thanks to our Founding Fathers that we are free.”

Mr Cruson then offered historic trivia that he thinks has links to this same visit from the French. Noting a likely historic link to the revolution, Mr Cruson spoke of artillery parks along Castle Hill and elsewhere in the vicinity of Church Hill Road, including The Boulevard where bits of physical evidence to mark the troops’ passing emerged recently.

“One family on The Boulevard found a canon ball, possibly one of Rochambeau’s,” he said. “I have reason to believe that was near an artillery park.”

Mr Cruson soon unveiled the plaque — an image of historical artist David R. Wagner’s rendition of French troops crossing Carlton’s Bridge into Newtown.

“That bridge was one of the crucial routes [into town]. Also, if they needed to retreat, the bridge was a good way out,” Mr Cruson said.

The plaque is just one of many forming Mr Wagner’s Revolutionary Route Series. The plaque is now fixed prominently in front of Hawley School. The painting depicting French troops in uniform in the foreground standing beside a river with the bridge behind them.

Mr Wagner’s Revolutionary War series, found at davidrwagner.com, offers a closer look at the Rochambeau march. The French, under the direction of Compte De Rochambeau, aligned themselves with General George Washington’s troops to fight the British during the Revolutionary War and eventually prevailed in gaining the colonists’ independence from England.

Mr Cruson organized Thursday’s ceremony, which saw Father Bob Weiss, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, March to Victory participant and reenactors, Daughters of the American Revolution chapter members both local and from as far as Fairfield, Lt Gordon Johnson from the Second Governor’s Horse Guard, the state commissioner of American and Francophone Cultural Affairs Colonel Serge Gabriel, and others gathered to celebrate Rochambeau’s involvement in United States history.

Travel along with the reenactment members and read their daily log at MarchtoYorktown.org.