Marching orders were given, and a few hours later the entire American army was gone from Delaware.
So ended Washington’s first stay in our state.
But there was another time when Washington was in Delaware. This second time he was no longer commander-in-chief of a struggling army but the President of the United States.
The war was over. Liberty was won, and the English had left our shores.
It was December of 1783, and Washington was to pass through Wilmington on his way from Philadelphia to Mount Vernon, where he was to eat his Christmas dinner.
People lined the road watching for his coach, and at the top of the hill children climbed into the trees of the apple orchard so as to see the better.
At last, from far up the road, came a sound of cheering; the coach was in sight. Nearer and nearer it came.
In it sat President Washington with his calm, noble face, and his powdered hair tied in a queue behind. His hat was off, and he bowed this way and that as the people waved and cheered him.
The Burgess and Council of Wilmington had prepared an address which was read to him and which he answered. It was only for a few hours that Washington was here this second time. A long ride was still before him, and soon he was in his coach again and rolling on his way.
For a while after the President’s coach had started, the little boys raced along beside him, then the horses broke into a trot that left the boys behind. The turn of the road was reached, the coach swung around it, and Washington’s last visit to Delaware was over.