Oxford Map and History

Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland. Although already settled for perhaps 20 years, Oxford marks the year 1683 The Strand Tilghman as its official founding, for in that year Oxford was first named by the Maryland General Assembly as a seaport and was laid out as a town. In 1694, Oxford and a new town called Anne Arundel (now Annapolis) were selected the only ports of entry for the entire Maryland province. Until the American Revolution, Oxford enjoyed prominence as an international shipping center surrounded by wealthy tobacco plantations. Today, Oxford is a charming tree-lined and waterbound village with a population of just over 700 and is still important in boat building and yachting. It has a protected harbor for watermen who harvest oysters, crabs, clams and fish, and for sailors from all over the Bay.

For a walking tour and more history visit https://tidewatertimes. com/travel-tourism/oxford-maryland/.

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Benoni Ave. Pleasant St. Robes Hbr. Ct. South Morris Street Bachelor Point Road Pier St. E. Pier St. Oxford Road

W. Division St. Caroline St.West St. Tred Avon Ave. First Street Jack’s Pt. Rd. Third Street Bonfield Ave. 2nd St.

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Oxford Community Center

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troops on the move again.”

Washington later described the Continental Army Rochambeau found at White Plains as “. . . composed of men oftentimes half starved; always in rags, without pay, and experiencing, at times, every species of distress which human nature is capable of undergoing.” Unpaid men, though shoeless, threatened to trudge long distances home, having long-since eaten their horses. Equipment was equally lacking. The Continental Army required support from the Continental Congress, a rather loosely affiliated body. Individual colonies were leery of taxing their constituents and uncomfortable with the concept of a standing army. They generally favored their own voluntary militias, however untrained and untried in battle their militias might be.

Washington (despite his self-described “obstinancy”) finally conceded that, even after combining with the French, their two armies were inadequate to lay siege to New York. Together they crossed to New Jersey and set off southward to seek Cornwallis. Meanwhile, in the Caribbean de Grasse successfully reached Martinique on April 28, completed his island missions and prepared to sail north on July 28. In mid-August, his dispatch reached Rochambeau and Washington, advising that he would

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Admiral Sir Samuel Hood

enter Chesapeake Bay with three regiments and at least 25 ships.

Admiral Sir Samuel Hood had already been bested in an attempt to fend off the French from reaching their island destinations. In August, unaware of the French fleet’s ultimate destination or size, Hood set off to pursue de Grasse up the East Coast. The canny Comte took an elusive course northward, so that Hood reached the Chesapeake first. Sighting no French masts inside the capes, Hood proceeded on to New York, thinking he would find them there.

General Clinton shared Washington’s fixation on New York, but Lord Cornwallis took a broader view. His forces had been rampaging across the South since spring 1779, parried with great skill by

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vastly outnumbered Americans under General Nathaniel Greene. Even Clinton understood that a safe, centrally located harbor was needed south of New York; Cornwallis opted to establish one at Yorktown, Virginia. In August, his 7,000 men set about fortifying a base on the narrow peninsula between the James and York rivers. Clinton assured Cornwallis that all required supplies and naval support would be forthcoming.

Advancing from the north toward Virginia, the allied armies proceeded in separate, parallel columns, averaging 15 miles a day. Washington rode in the vanguard, his tightly controlled emotions sorely tested by conflicting news reaching him along the way: An additional British fleet had arrived at New York, thought to threaten any de Grasse might bring (actually only Hood having bypassed the Chesapeake). Robert Morris had been unable to get 30 ships needed to carry the weary men onward from Philadelphia by water. On the other hand, their welcome in the then-capitol lifted spirits.

Philadelphians cheered the dazzling French troops, who disguised road grime on their white breeches under wig powder. Regimental bands parading brass instruments thrilled a people accustomed only to fife and drum. Morris feted se-

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Speed of Spur hand and a white handkerchief in the other. Rochambeau clambered nior officers who enjoyed, a French onto the dock, surely startled to be guest said, “an excellent repast” smothered in a bear hug by the stoic with “all the foreign wines pos- American “man of marble.” sible with which to drink endless In Virginia, as de Grasse shuttoasts.” tled troops and equipment ashore

Leaving Philadelphia, the al- inside Cape Henry at Lynnhaven lies trudged on to Chester, where Bay, more masts were sighted. Washington wrote Lafayette a Initially thought to be French replaintiff plea on September 3: “I inforcements expected from Newam distressed beyond expression to port with additional artillery, they know what is become of the Count were instead British. The arriving de Grasse.” Any news from Virginia enemy fleet was outnumbered, but should be sent “on the spur of speed enjoyed an advantageous wind and for I am almost all impatience and had caught de Grasse executing an anxiety.” awkward operation.

Like the answer to a prayer, (To be continued next month.) two days later a courier arrived: de Grasse had come with 28 ships and 3,000 troops, who were dis- Forty-some years ago, A.M. Folembarking in contact with Lafay- ey swapped the Washington, D.C., ette. Washington wheeled his horse business scene for a writing life on around to share the news with Ro- Elliott Island, Maryland. Tidewater chambeau, who followed in a river Times has kindly published porbarge. Sighting the craft approach- tions of one upcoming work, Chesing with the short, stout French- apeake Bay Island Hopping, along man, Washington couldn’t restrain with other regional musings. Folhimself. He started jumping up and ey’s published works are described down, waving his hat around in one at www.HollandIslandBook.com.

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