419d19e9d4cf0222ee2017013cc86960.jpg

NEW HOPE: Night firing of cannon set for Dec. 15 and 22

   The Coryell’s Ferry Militia will be part of the New Hope Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas activities by demonstrating a night firing of a replica 6-pound Artillery.
   The demonstration will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 15 and 22 at New Hope’s Ferry Street Park.
   The unusual combination of Christmas and Artillery is explained this way by Capt. Bob Gerenser:
   ”During December of 1776, the Borough of New Hope was known as Coryell’s Ferry. Washington became familiar with the ferry and found it was operated by strong patriots. One patriot, John Coryell, gathered the artillery of the Continental Army, bringing them from various places along the river to reinforce the Ferry Crossing. This was because the boats that Washington was to use on the famous Christmas-night crossing were secured behind Malta Island in the Delaware River and guarded by the Militia of Solebury Rifle Company No. 1 and Solebury Rifle Company No. 2. Other elements of Pennsylvania Rifles under command of Colonel Hand overlooked all from their camp at the top of little New Hope Mountain.”
   Justine Walters explained the Christmas connection, as follows: “The German Hessians were the only ones in the Colonies who celebrated in a fashion we might recognize today. They celebrated their Christmas on the night of Dec. 25. For the other Colonials it was a sacred and piously celebrated holiday. Washington counted on the Hessians being a little ‘Groggy’ on the morning of the 26th when the actual attack took place. The resulting victory is the greatest Christmas present ever given this country as it preserves all of the other Devine gifts given to us”
   Steve Rote-Armorer and Artillerist continued: “The ferry landing was guarded by a gun battery up Ferry Street about at the library. There was another gun emplacement about 100 yards up the riverbank and then two more guns up the hill past the old St. Martin’s Church on Mechanic Street. None other than the British General Cornwallis describes in detail these gun emplacements. In fact that is why he did not get across the river to steal back the boats.”
   Like us on Facebook at Coryell’s Ferry Militia.