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GyG1345
03-03-03, 02:52 PM
From: william greenland
<hgreenland1666@yahoo.com>
>To: GunnyG@hotmail.com
>Subject: Princeton Battle and US Marines-
Battlefield Preservation
>Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 17:15:50 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>I am writing in regard to a matter that should
be of great concern to the
>US Marines and Marine veterans.
>
>My name is William Myers, and I am an historian
of the Battle Of Princeton.
>
>A recent plan to desecrate this site has
prompted me to seek as much
>opposition as possible. The Institute for
Advanced Study plans to construct
>housing on the site. Here is the reason why
Marines should be concerned:
>
>The first US Marine killed in action was Captain
William Shippen, detached
>from the brig "Hancock." During the Battle of
Princeton he was serving with
>the 2nd Battalion of Philadelphia Associators,
under Colonel John Bayard,
>in the brigade commanded by General John
Cadwalader. This brigade advanced
>against the British 17th Regiment and was
repulsed. A second advance was
>accompanied by Washington on horseback.
Washington was exposed to the fires
>of both sides and many witnesses feared he would
be killed. I believe it
>was at this point that Shippen fell. The brigade
then withdrew some
>distance to reform, and, supported by more
experienced New England troops,
>succeeded in defeating the British.
>
>Unfortunately, my research has failed to obtain
particular details of
>Shippen's loss. It is equally unfortunate than
many US Marine histories
>neglect him. The US Marine museum in
Philadelphia has a diaroma of the
>battle and a tribute to Shippen, who was from
Philadelphia. (Years ago, I
>tried to locate his gravesite in Philadelphia
but the churchyard was in
>such a state of disrepair I'm afraid his grave
is no longer marked.)
>
>It would be an incalculable loss if this
battlefield is tainted by
>construction. There is a Battlefield Park but it
does not encompass the
>entire field of action.
>
>Please contact any Marine historians who may be
able to help. If you want
>specific details, the Princeton Packet online
version has covered the
>story.
>
>If there is enough of an outcry against this
desecration I hope it can be
>stopped.
>
>
> William Myers
>