History - Raleigh Beacons

Beacons: Means of Communication and Celebration
By James T. Raleigh (1983)

An earthquake in China -- bombing in the Middle East -- floods in California -- news reaches us in minutes via communications satellites and radio or television. With modern technology we can view events many thousands of miles away almost as they occur. On a more personal level the telephone system provides a rapid channel of communication between businesses, families, and friends. Computer "speak" with each other or people, and handle many items of data per second.

We tend to take for granted the speed and effectiveness of daily communication, but matters were quite different two hundred years ago. Letters delivered on horseback often took days or weeks to reach their destinations, so other forms of communication were developed. Beacons or bonfires, fireworks and rounds of artillery, cannon, and musket fire were used not only for military warfare and signals, but also for various forms of celebration. In April 1783 Gen. George Washington announced the official cessation of hostilities at New Windsor, NY. The celebration of this announcement was one of several occasions on which beacons were lit. These activities, both in war and peace, taking different forms with the Continental, state, and local militia troops.

Harper's Monthly, a popular magazine at the time of the Centennial celebration in 1883, depicted two beacons burning as part of the "Celebration of Peace."

There are many stories and legends about beacons and related events. In New Jersey, published reports discuss "Signal Station No. 10," located in Hobart Gap in Summit. One report by Melvin Weig supports a painting showing the beacon as a tar barrel on the top of a pole or tree, and a signal or alarm gun, while a book by Mrs. Margaret Long takes exception to this portrayal. She lists a number of primary source references to support the drawing presented in Benjamin Lossing's Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution. This drawing shows a beacon constructed of a pyramid of logs. Both books explain that the beacons were primarily used to signal troop movements or to call out the militia. They report, as does Venderpol's History of Chatham, that at one time Summit was the intermediate station in a signal system from McGee's Hill in Elizabethtown and Morristown Part of this system was set up by the Rev. James Caldwell of Springfield after several state committee meetings. The same state governing body later suggested expanding the system in several directions, like the mountain behind Newark and on Long Hill near Basking Ridge.

These books, a booklet published by the Springfield Historical Society, and other sources all include significant information on the use of beacons in support of the Battle of Springfield, June 23, 1780. The author, Thomas Fleming, has included much vivid description in his book, Forgotten Victory.

The publications listed so far have all used Stillwell's "Historical and Misc. Etc." (Complete title!) as a source of the list of beacon sites. This publication, as is the case of many of the documents, uses manuscripts which are now in the collections of the Monmouth County Historical Association in Freehold, NJ.

Research has shown beacons to have been part of a plan from the Middle brook Encampment of 1778/1779. At the same time as Gen. Washington set up the New Jersey plan through Gov. William Livingston, he and Maj. Gen. William Heath were trying to formulate a similar plan for the Hudson River Valley. There had been earlier uses of beacons and other signals in the Hudson River Valley. Some of these were reported in a book called Obstructions to the Navigation which discusses activities around the New Windsor encampments. In fact, the beacon plan in the state of New York gave the town of Beacon its current name.

The combination of the New York and New Jersey beacon plans with others probably provided the background for Lossing's statement about signals traveling from Beacon, NY to Sandy Hook, NJ. Primary source material to substantiate this statement has not been found. What has been found are specific items which must carefully be placed in the changing perspective of the war and its changing military and civilian organizations. For example, an early test of signals was conducted in June of 1777, when both flags and bonfires were tested from the Middlebrook Encampment towards Princeton.

Another very likely alarm plan is recorded on an undated, unsigned manuscript (which some people believe to be an Erskine map) in the Papers of William Heath and the Massachusetts Historical Society. It shows a number of "A"s, which seem to fit either a 1779 or more likely an earl 1777 signal plan while the main army was at Trenton and Princeton. This map clearly supports the stories about several sites in Northern New Jersey. One of these sites is Federal Hill, in the Pompton Lakes area, and is reported in the "Highlander," a magazine published by the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society. Another significant use of beacons and alarm guns occurred at the time of the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line in January 1781.

Newburgh/New Windsor activities:

In the spring of 1783, Gen. Washington was headquartered in Newburgh, NY, and the Continental Army was hutted in the New Windsor Cantonment nearby. The mountains across the river had been used for several years as a beacon site, and the town of Beacon and the two mountains behind it have been names from this function. International communications were very slow in 1783. Gen. Washington, the army, the Continental Congress, and most of the country was awaiting word from Paris of the peace negotiations with England. The Hudson River had been closed to navigation at West Point as part of the protection of the countryside. The beacons may have been part of a speedy communication system. Other alarm posts were often established as part of the cantonment. A number of such outposts were set up at various times around the New Windsor encampment.

There were a number of celebrations during the early part of 1783, for example, the French Alliance, which had been commemorated for several previous years. The ceremony at Valley Forge had consisted of a "feu de joie," or "fire of joy," a round of running musket fire. At Pluckemin, the army participated in the celebration with fireworks and a "ball," or formal dinner party.

The Alliance with France was celebrated at New Windsor on Thursday, the 6th of February, with a feu de joie, which was followed by a party "at the Newbuilding, where a cold Collation will be provided." The Newbuilding, a hall for entertaining large numbers of people, was called by several other names, for example, The Temple of Virtue," and was reported to be 100 feet long and 30 feet wide. The rank and file who may not have enjoyed the "Collation" at least had a "gill of Rum" when they arrived at their respective Cantonments. These forms of celebration were also used at a number of different times which probably made the events memorable if not exciting.

The General Orders of Friday, April 18, 1783, included: "The Commander in Chief orders the Cessation of Hostilities . . . to be publickly proclaimed tomorrow at 12." The attached Proclamation had been issued by the Continental Congress on April 11 1783, and may give some indication of the speed of written communication. The timing of the announcement was picked by Gen. Washington to correspond with the eighth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. The orders also contained the following, "An extra ration of liquor to be issued to every man tomorrow, to drink with Perpetual Peace, Independence, and Happiness to the United States of America."

The same General Orders (April 18, 1783) said, "The Adjutant General will have working parties detailed to assist in making the preparations for a general rejoicing as the Chief Engineer with the Army shall call for, and the Quarter Master Genl. will also furnish such materials as he may want." The following day, April 19, the General Orders list one hundred an done pieces of timber, ranging from 8 to 30 feet long, to be used "to erect a frame for the illumination." Also, some officers were appointed to "assist Col. Gouvion in making preparation for the illumination." Col. Gouvion was a French Military Officer serving in the Corps of Engineers who had previously served with the Marquis de LaFayette. It was during the preparation for this illumination that Col. Barber of the New Jersey Battalion reportedly was killed in an accident by one of the falling trees; however, a later issue of the New Jersey Gazette reports this accident as having occurred in the February celebration.

Gen. William Heath, who was in the New Windsor camp at the time, reported in his published memoirs that on "April 19 at noon the proclamation of Congress for a cessation of hostilities was made at the door of the Newbuilding, followed by three cheers, or "huzzas," after which a prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. Ganno, and an anthem ("Independence," from Billings) was performed by vocal and instrumental music.

Following the celebrations at New Windsor, Gen. Washington proceeded with other business. Heath's diary and inferences from several letters show that after the announcement of the Cessation of Hostilities he traveled to Ringwood, NJ. Most importantly, even though many people thought the fighting had stopped at Yorktown, there were still prisoners of war on both sides. The gathering at Ringwood with the Secretary of War was "for the purposes of the making of the arrangements for the release of our Prisoners."

Several celebrations occurred in New Jersey, both prior to and after the New Windsor announcement. We hope to discuss these later. First, we will observe the Army at New Windsor as they continued to rejoice over the peace. Specific orders issued April 20 restricted the felling of trees in the vicinity of the Cantonment. Instead, the commissioned officers were to use the wood already felled. An additional instruction reminded them of orders of the last 30th September "prohibiting the making of fires in the vicinity of camp except on necessary occasions." These orders were apparently needed, because some of the huts had almost been destroyed by fired. On Monday the 21st, when the timbers for the frame for the illumination were to be delivered, a number of "good Carpenters . . . (were) to be sent for the Newbuilding at 6 o'clock. They will receive orders from Col. Gouvion and continue until relieved." At least four more 30-foot timbers were ordered the next Friday.

On May 13, 1783, Gen. Washington wrote in a letter, "We are making some preparations in the Army for a display of our Joy on the happy event of a general peace. The Exhibition will be delayed until the arrival of the definitive Treaty." The fireworks stand for New Windsor was pictured in a drawing by William Tarbell, showing a stand of sizeable proportions with arches from which transparencies as part of an illumination might have been placed. Some say that the fireworks stand was never used, while others feel the timbers were used to hold candles. On May 16, the General Orders told the assembled men to "square and deliver at the Newbuilding with all convenient speed" a total of 50 timbers 31 feet long and 148 timbers 25 feet long, to be cut "agreeable to the orders of the 20th of April last." These timbers may have been for the arches shown on the Tarbell drawing between the rows of huts.

The British conducted military celebrations in much the same manner. An example is recorded on June 4, when the King's birthday was observed. A "feu de joie," or fire of joy, was fired in the evening, followed by an exhibition of fireworks from the fort. A notice appeared prior to the event, "To prevent accidents by fire the inhabitants are requested not to illuminate their windows."

Washington wrote from New Windsor on June 14, "I wait here with much impatience, the arrival of the Definitive Treaty." Those soldiers not furloughed were assembled at or near West Point, with the troops from New Windsor Cantonment ordered to join them there. Plans continued throughout the summer of 1783 for the major celebration of peace, with Washington still expressing his wish to delay it until the British troops had been evacuated from the area. The word of the definitive treaty reached Washington on November 1. The garrison orders issued at West Point on November 16 stated that the city of New York was to be evacuated (of British troops) on the 22nd and that "His Excellency the Commander in Chief proposes to celebrate the Peace at that Place, on Monday the first of December next by a Display of the Fireworks, and Illuminations, which were intended to have been exhibited at this Post, or such of them as have not been injured by Time, and can be removed." General Washington commented on the celebration in a statement sent December 3 to Major Gen. Henry Knox, "Sir: The splendid display of Fireworks last Evening was so highly satisfactory that I must request you to present to Captain Price under whose direction they were prepared, and to the officers who assisted him, my thanks for the great skill and attention shewn in the conduct of that business."

Getting back to the events in New Kersey, it seems the news of the peace may have reached them sooner than Washington, for on April 14 Governor William Livingston prepared a proclamation which appeared in the New Jersey Gazette of April 16. This same issue reported the activities of the previous day in Trenton. The article said in part, "Yesterday being the day fixed upon by the gentlemen of this town and the neighborhood to celebrate the glorious peace lately concluded . . . a number of people met about 11 o'clock when the Governor's proclamation was read. This was followed by thirteen cannon, succeeded by the huzzas (cheers) of the people." A divine service was held at noon, where the discourse was delivered by the Rev. Elihu Spencer, D.D. At 3 o'clock the gentlemen repaired to the three houses for dinner and entertainments. After dinner 13 toasts were drunk, each reportedly accompanied by the discharge of artillery. Thirteen cannon, or thirteen events such as the offering of toasts, were reported to occur at a number of different celebrations. The choice of 13 was most always related to the existence of the 13 states.

Other celebrations were reported in subsequent issues of the New Jersey Gazette. The Princeton report, dated April 21, emphasized the 19th as the date of the 8th anniversary of the commencement of hostilities selected to celebrate the peace. The ceremonies started at 12 o'clock at the flag staff where "the Governor's proclamation, declaring the cessation of hostilities, was publickly read, which was succeeded by the acclamations of the people," At 1 o'clock the met in the College Hall for a discourse by the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon. Then there were more entertainments, dinner, toasts, and cannon.

"At 7 o'clock in the evening the houses in the town were splendidly illuminated, and in many, great taste was displayed in the arrangement of the lights. At 8 o'clock, the infantry company retires, having spent the day with festivity, decency, and good order, which we hope will ever characterize a free and virtuous people."

The Chatham newspaper, The Journal, reported the Governor's Proclamation on the 23rd (reflecting the slow speed of communication). Chatham's celebration was held on the 30th, which included a large bonfire.

The April 30 issue of the Gazette contained reports on the celebrations held in Bordentown, New Brunswick, Cranbury, and Amwell, all having toasts and artillery. The Bordentown celebration on April 19 included illumination of the houses, "in particular the house and academy of the Rev. Burges Allison, where whole windows were . . . decorated with . . . transparent paintings."

New Brunswick celebrated on the 17th, with a "magnificent bonfire consisting of 16 tar-barrels, supported by separate poles of a great length, all of which being set on fire at the same instant, together with a large quantity of combustibles collected around the tallest pole, really exhibited a most splendid and brilliant appearance . . .".

The town on Amwell apparently had its celebration on April 23. The Woodbridge celebration was the 22nd day of April, and the Fourth Regiment under command of Col. Taylor celebrated at New Broomsley on April 28. Celebrations were held in Somerset County on April 26, with Gov. William Livingston and several other local dignitaries in attendance It was held at Mount Pleasant, near Van Veghter's bridge. An elegant bower had been built, before which the American flag was splendidly displayed. Troops were reviewed, the proclamation declaring the cessation of hostilities was read, and 13 rounds of artillery and musketry were fired. After a divine service, the troops were issued a "plentiful supply of liquor." The guests then sat down for a "cold collation in the bower, and the remainder of the day was spent within and without the arbour with great joy and festivity. After the repast toasts were drunk, accompanied by the discharge of artillery."

The celebrations throughout the state seem to have taken much the same form -- for instance, a review of the troops present, 13 firings of artillery, and 13 toasts. Homes were often illuminated, and a brilliant fireworks display was demonstrated. Some type of divine worship service was held, usually followed by a large party, or "ball." The New York celebration previously referred to was held on December 2, 1783, and was reported in The Gazette on December 23. This report seems to describe, in a very representative manner, how the announcement of peace was celebrated:

"Yesterday evening, the grand fire-works, in celebration of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, between Great Britain and the United States of North America, were exhibited at the Bowling Green, in the Broadway; it was introduced with a dove descending with the Olive-Branch, which communicated the fire to a Marroon Battery, (a type of fireworks like a cannonade -- Marion Battery). These magnificent fireworks infinitely exceeded every former exhibition in the United States . . . it commenced at 6 o'clock and closed at 7."

In summary, this article has covered some of the background on beacons and cannon, fireworks and illuminations, which may help to put legends, reports, and ideas into an interrelated prospective. Using other primary source material, perhaps Tricentennial historians will expand and embellish this kind of report.