Delmarva Heritage Series, by Dr. William H. Wroten, Jr.
Col. Tench Tilghman
Salisbury Times - February 28, 1962
Familiar
are most school children, and adults, with Longfellow's poem which
has made the ride of Paul Revere famous.
But how
many know these words by Howard Pyle:
And so,
as the dawn of that day grew bright
Was the
dawn that followed the dreary night
Of
trouble and woe and gloom and fear
That
broke at last to a morning clear,
Brought
by Tilghman over away
From
Yorktown and Gloucester, far below
To the
South, one hundred and twenty-five years ago.
Pyle was
referring to another famous ride in American history-the rice of
Tench Tilghman. Although one ride is better known than the other,
the two have something in common. Paul Revere's ride told of the
coming of the "Redcoats" and the beginning of the Revolutionary War;
Tench Tilghman's ride told Americans of Cornwallis's defeat at
Yorktown and the end of the war.
Tench
Tilghman was a descendant of one of Maryland's old and honored
families. He was born on December. 25, 1744 at 'Fausley" in Talbot
County. In 1761, he graduated from the College, Academy and
Charitable School of Philadelphia, now the University of
Pennsylvania. As a young man he entered the mercantile business in
Philadelphia, which was probably successful until our troubles with
England in the early 1770's. He liquidated his business interests
as the crisis approached and became active in the revolutionary
movement.
He was
appointed a lieutenant in a Philadelphia company, known as the
Ladies' Light Infantry. In 1775 he was secretary and treasurer to a
Continental Congress Commission sent to negotiate with the Indians
of the Six Nations.
THE
PRIVATE diary that he kept during these proceedings is valuable
information about the Indians and the social life of upper state New
York during the frontier period. One the humorous side he reported
that he was adopted by the Onondagas, but the reason was probably
due to the customary bowls of punch he furnished during the
proceeds.
Upon his
return to Philadelphia he became captain of an independent army unit
which in 1776 jointed the Flying Camp. And, in August, 1776 he
became a member of Gen. Washington's military "family", serving
continuously as aide-de-camp until the end of the war. The amount
of work and service that he performed for General Washington was
prodigious. Many of Washington's letters tell of Tilghman's
friendship, valued services, and patriotic devotion. More definite
proof is found in the fact that the general successfully urged
Congress to grant Tilghman a regular commission of
lieutenant-colonel and aide. Washington's words to Congress; "He
has been a zealous servant and slave to the public, and a faithful
assistant to me for near five years, great part of which time he
refused to receive pay. Honor and gratitude interest me in his
favor, and makes me solicitous to obtain his Commission."
Tench
Tilghman was with Gen. Washington during some of the most famous
days of the Revolutionary War. He was at the Battles of Long
Island, White Plains and Fort Washington; the retreat across New
Jersey into Pennsylvania; at the crossing of the Delaware River and
the capture of Trenton; spent the winter at Valley Forge; and,
finally, he was at Yorktown for the surrender of Cornwallis.
Tench
Tilghman's ride has become somewhat of a legend; therefore, various
accounts have been given of his journey between Yorktown and
Philadelphia. In some accounts, where that facts are not known,
writers have attempted to picture what it must have been like as he
crossed the Chesapeake Bay, rode through Kent County, etc. But for
this story we will use Esther M. Dole's "Maryland during the
American Revolution."
"By the
terms of the surrender Cornwallis gave up 7,247 regular troops
besides 840 sailors. One hundred and six guns were taken. The land
forces and stores were assigned to the Americans and the ships and
marines to the French who had ably assisted with their fleet.
Maryland troops deserve a full share of the honor of this
achievement for they have given material aid in the field under Gist
and the State had exerted every effort to furnish the necessary
supplies for the combined armies to maintain the siege."
ON THE
surrender of Cornwallis, Col. Tench Tilghman of Maryland,
aide-de-camp, was selected by Washington to carry the news to
Congress at Philadelphia in the form of an official dispatch.
Taking boat in York harbor he went to Annapolis which had received
the news the day before from the Count do Grasse. He crossed the
bay to Kent County, landing at Rock Hall, where he found a horse
waiting for him. he then took the old post road to Edesville to
Chestertown, thence north to Georgetown where he crossed the
Sassafras River. When a horse would tire he would stop at a
farmhouse so the account goes, and would shout, 'Cornwallis is
taken, a fresh horse for Congress,' and one he would go."
He passed
through Wilmington, and on to Philadelphia. It took him four days
to make this memorable trip, and he arrived at midnight Oct. 23,
1781.
He
knocked on the door of Thomas McKean's house (the President of the
Continental Congress) told him of the glad tidings. Soon watchmen
throughout the city were proclaiming the hour and shouting "All is
well and Cornwallis taken." Within minutes most of the citizens
were awake and in the streets celebrating the happy news. The State
House bell rang out "Liberty" for the new American nation.
BUT
BROBABLY of more interest to us was the celebration that took place
on Oct. 22, after Tench Tilghman rode into Chestertown. "This great
event was no sooner announced to the public, than a large number of
worthy citizens assembled, to celebrate the signal victory, (in a
high degree auspicious to the cause of freedom and virtue) which was
done with a decency and dignity becoming firm patriots, liberal
citizens, and prudent members of the community-amidst the roaring of
cannon, and the exhibition of bonfires, illumination, et., the
gentlemen (having repaired to a hall suitable for the purpose) Drank
the following toast, viz., 1. General Washington and the Allied
Army; 2. Count de Grasse, and the Navy of France; 3. Congress; 4.
Louis the 16th; a friend to the Rights of Mankind; 5.
The United States; 6. General Greene and the Southern Army; 7.
Count de Rochambeau; 8. The Memory of the illustrious Heroes who
have fallen in the defense of American liberty; 9. King of Spain;
!0. The United Provinces; 11. The Marquis de la Fayett; 12. The
northern Arm; 13. The State of Maryland-the last in order but not
the last in Love."
ALTHOUGH
the peace treaty was not signed until 1783, two years after
Yorktown, the war was over. And, it is only fitting that Tench
Tilghman should have a place in our Hall of Fame. The last verse of
Dr. Oliver Huchel's poem, "Tench Tilghman's Ride through Kent,"
reads:
And
gallant Tench Tilghman, the hero of all,
Was feted
in homes and high honored in hall:
Congress
voted him thanks, a great sward chased with gold,
And the
noblest black steed with accoutrements bold;
And
America ne'er in its patriot pride
Shall
forget his good news and his glorious ride
After the
war Col. Tilghman was associated in business with Robert Morris but
the hardships that he endured in the war probably caused his early
death in 1786. He is buried in St. Paul's churchyard in Baltimore.
A Peale portrait of the colonel hangs in the State house at
Annapolis.
As high a
tribute as a soldier and gentleman could desire was paid to Col.
Tench Tilghman by his old friend, George Washington who referred to
him as a pillar of the Revolution and as having left "as fair a
reputation as ever belonged to a human character."
Return to Delmarva Heritage Series article index
