Sign Dedicated Commemorating 1781 Crossing of the Potomac

Sons of the American Revolution in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia are working with their respective Departments of transportation to have road-side signs installed commemorating a historic march that contributed to United States victory at Yorktown.

In early 1781 General George Washington ordered BGen Anthony Wayne to move his army of 1,100 Pennsylvania troops, equipment, artillery and ammunition south from Garrison in York, Pennsylvania to join LtGen Lafayette in central Virginia. The reason was simple-- Lafayette did not have enough troops to go toe-to-toe with the British Army commanded by General Cornwallis.

Several officers in BGen Wayne’s Army kept journals of the march south. The Journals detail how far the Army marched each day, where they camped, Weather observations, and other details such as troop losses. In addition, BGen Wayne had a steady chain of letters to and from Lafayette and Washington. The Journals and letters provide the ability to track the march as the Army progressed south.

Wayne’s Army joined Lafayette’s Army near Charlottsville on June 10, 1781. Not wanting to face the combined Armies, Cornwallis moved his Army to Yorktown. The American Army moved quickly to block British escape by moving men and artillery into position around Yorktown. When the French Navy defeated the British Navy in the Battle of the Capes on September 5, 1781, Cornwallis lost the last possible avenue of escape. The British surrendered on October 19, 1781 with the Revolutionary War ending in American victory.

Wayne’s March south touched Loudoun County at three camp sites identified in officer journals: the camp after crossing the Potomac on the Virginia side of Noland’s Ferry; near the chapel above Goose Creek on the northern border of Leesburg near Highway 15; and at what was Cox’s Mill near Goose Creek and what is now Evergreen Mills Road. After camping at Cox’s Mill the Army marched to Red House, now known as Haymarket, then camped at several sites as they marched south to meet Lafayette.

The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter (SMJC) with responsibility for Loudoun County, VA worked with VDOT to have a new sign installed at Lucketts Community Park commemorating the crossing of the Potomac on May 31, 1781. Chapter member John Curtis worked with VDOT to have the sign made and installed. SMJC Sponsored the dedication of the sign on June 1, 2025. The dedication was attended by Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia SAR and several chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution. Wreaths were presented and a musket and rifle squad fired a three-shot salute honoring the Army. Master of Ceremonies for the dedication was SMJC Chapter president Barry Schwoerer. Chapter chaplain James Watts brought the invocation and benediction. Chapter Treasurer Tim Murphy introduced SAR and DAR chapter representatives presenting wreaths. John Laycock of the Westminster Chapter MD SAR who leads the tri-state team, gave an overview of information contained in officer journals and correspondence between Wayne, Lafayette and Washington. Ken Dioquino, Virginia SAR Secretary brought greetings on behalf of the State Society.

Colors were presented by a multi-chapter Color Guard led by Mark Sink (SMJC), lead musket Ken Bonner (SMJC), U.S. Flag David Welker (SMJC), Virginia State flag Chip Daniel (Col James Wood II (CJWII)), SAR 250 flag Sean Carrigan CJW-II, and trail musket Allen Phillips (CJW-II). An Honor Guard with muskets rendered honors when colors were presented. They consistented of: Paul Christensen (CJWII), Jim Cordes (Fairfax Resolves(FFR)), Kelly Ford (CJW-II), Bill Tugman (Col Fielding Lewis (CFL)), and Dale Corey (CJWii)

The rifle/musket volley was commanded by Mark Sink (SMJC) with: Ken Bonner and David Welker from SMJC; Jim Cordes from FFR; Bill Tugman from CFL; and Allen Phillips, Chip Daniel, Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Kelly Ford and Dale Corey from CJWII.

Wreaths were presented by: SMJC-Barry Schwoerer, FFR-David Peters, CJW-II-Paul Christensen, George Mason-Ken Morris, Michael Moore-Sgt Lawrence Everhart MD SAR, Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill DAR-Paula Schwoerer, Ketoctin DAR-Nancy Spannaus, s Mill DAR- Cathy Carnie-Peters, Mary Hemings Bell DAR- Anne Ballenger.