March To Yorktown
as seen on July 1, 2006

In 2006, a few people walked the entire 685-mile route that Rochambeau's army followed in 1781, from Newport, RI, to Yorktown, VA. Of those who walked the route, only three walked the entire route, Major Mike Fitzgerald, David Holloway and Dave Fagerberg. They camped each night as close to the actual spot as possible and each morning got up, packed up their canvas, and marched on. Most of the time they marched on pavement following the original roads. They met crowds all along the way, some with press, some just with flags. They had support vehicles with them, which included an internet connection and computer equipment to log their daily travels. Even though the event is over, you should visit the website at www.marchtoyorktown.org. (By the way, Major Mike not only crossed over from the Loyalist side for this but he was obviously marching as a French soldier of Rochambeau's army, which is really funny considering we fight the French in the French and Indian War reenactments.)

Saturday evening, July 1, 2006, not long after I left the Ridgefield encampment I came across two tired people in white uniforms, one carrying a flag, who were walking alone on the road in the direction I had just come from. (All things considered, the chances of my bumping them on their walk were unbelievably remote, but there they were!) I immediately recognized Mike as one of them. They used my passing by as an excuse to stop and rest for a moment, and I was introduced to David carrying the flag. I mentioned above that it was a hot day, and they were soaked in sweat. Fortunately, they were near the end of their daily march and soon pitched their tents on the golf course where the original camp had been. Richard Swartwout, of the 6th Conn. Regt., who was driving one of the support wagons, noted in the journal of the day (July 1) that I stopped by!