Around the bend

Follow the long driveway down a tree-covered lane in Maryland, and you'll soon come to a house. A house that has stood since 1740.

It is said that on or around August 25, 1777, General George Washington stood on the widow's walk of this home to view British troops under the command of General Howe that were landing on the Elk River.

This home is situated on one of the highest spots in the area and must have afforded an excellent view of the over 250 ships that had sailed up the Chesapeake Bay which were carrying 15,000 to 18,000 Brisith troops.

Soldiers in the Continental Army set up an encampment on the property.

General Washington went on to stay at a local hotel before taking leave for Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Two days later, General Howe stayed at the same hotel, in the same room and was waited on by the same servant. He, too, was headed to Chadds Ford where our troops fought his, greatly outnumbered, in the historic Battle of the Brandywine. He and his troops then moved on to Philadelphia to capture that city.

I'm just in a historic sort of mood today. Don't mind me.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .