Sons of the American Revolution remembers Wayne's Potomac Crossing

On the 244th anniversary of the May 31, 1781 crossing of the Potomac by the Army Commanded by BGen Anthony Wayne, the Sgt Lawrence Everhart Chapter, Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution hosted a commemoration at the site of the crossing, Noland's Ferry. Noland's Ferry is at the C&O Canal park near Tuscarora, MD. Participating for the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter from Loudoun County was Past president Ken Bonner who performed as Color Guard Commander, and Chapter President Barry Schwoerer who participated in Color Guard and presented the Chapter wreath.

Early in 1781 General George Washington ordered BGen Wayne to move his Army of 1100 Pennsyvania Continentals, Artillery and equipment south to join Major General the Marquis de Lafayette in central Virginia. By joining Wayne's Army with Lafayette's the Continental Army could take on the British Army. After completing preparations, Wayne's army left garrison at York, PA and commendced the march south, crossing the Potomac on May 31. The army camped on the Virginia side waiting storms to pass and to clean their weapons. They next marched to a camp site on the north outskirts of Leesburg near the Church above Goose Creek, then to Cox's Mill at the intersection of Goose Creek and what is now Evergreen Mills Road. The army then moved through Prince William County and on to the rendevous with Lafayette near Charlottsville.

Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania Societies of SAR are working with their respective Departments of Transportation to place historical markers at each camp site as the Army moved south. The first sign in Virginia will be dedicated June 1, 2025 at the Community Park at Lucketts. Work is underway to mark the camp site just north of Leesburg and the camp site at the intersection of Goose Creek and Evergreen Mills Road. Sponsor for the Loudoun County sites is the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Virginia Society SAR.