Nation's Newest Historic Trail Dedicated in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A dedication ceremony was held today along the Schuylkill River banks in Philadelphia for the nation's newest National Historic Trail.
The trail, known as "W3R" for "Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route," runs 685 miles from Newport, RI to Yorktown, Va., and is being recognized on this Bastille Day to honor the 1781 American-French alliance in America's War for Independence.
Dr. Robert Selig, the historical consultant for the route, says 7,000 men and 2,000 animals camped along the Schuylkill River -- from Race Street to Spruce Street -- for four days during America's fight for independence.
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"The Continental Army and French forces camped right here on either side of the Market Street Bridge, where we are right now, from the second to the sixth of September, in 1781," Selig said.
French general Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur de Rochambeau and his troops marched with General George Washington's men. The War for Independence culminated in the victory at Yorktown, in 1781.
Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio 1060
