The Project Gutenberg EBook of "Evacuation Day", 1783, by James Riker

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Title: "Evacuation Day", 1783
Its Many Stirring Events: with recollections of Capt. John Van Arsdale

Author: James Riker

Release Date: August 13, 2010 [EBook #33419]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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"EVACUATION DAY,"

1783,

[Illustration: _Sergeant Van Arsdale Tearing Down the British Flag._]

WITH RECOLLECTIONS OF
CAPT. JOHN VAN ARSDALE
OF THE VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY,

BY JAMES RIKER.

50 CENTS.

"EVACUATION DAY,"

1783,

ITS

MANY STIRRING EVENTS:

WITH

RECOLLECTIONS

OF

CAPT. JOHN VAN ARSDALE

OF THE VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY,

BY WHOSE EFFORTS ON THAT DAY

THE ENEMY WERE CIRCUMVENTED,

AND

THE AMERICAN FLAG SUCCESSFULLY RAISED ON THE BATTERY.

WITH ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES.

BY

JAMES RIKER,

Author of the Annals of Newtown, and History of Harlem; Life Member
of the New York Historical Society, Etc.

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR.

NEW YORK

1883.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by

JAMES RIKER,

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

CRICHTON & CO.,
PRINTERS,
221-225 Fulton St., N. Y.

EVACUATION DAY.

CHAPTER I.

Our memorable revolution, so prolific of grand and glorious themes,
presents none more thrilling than is afforded by the closing scene in
that stupendous struggle which gave birth to our free and noble
Republic. New York City will have the honor of celebrating, on the 25th
of November, the hundredth anniversary of this event, the most signal in
its history; and which will add the last golden link to the chain of
Revolutionary Centennials. A century ago, on "Evacuation Day," so called
in our local calendar, the wrecks of those proud armies,--sent hither by
the mother country to enforce her darling scheme of "taxatio