The W3R of Maryland and the  
W3R of the District of Columbia

The joint efforts of these two units are reported on one page here.

The MD/DC contact is: Robert Reyes at reyeser@hotmail.com

W3R-MD Board of Directors

  • Robert Reyes, Chair
  • Nick Fry
  • Jean Fugett
  • Ann Kyle
  • Eric Mease

W3R-DC Board of Directors

  • Acquanetta Anderson, Chair
  • Betty Jane Johnson Gerber
  • M. Hall Worthington, Jr
  • Col. Stuart Boone McCarty
  • Anne-Marie Crosnier
  • Pat Archer-Jacob
  • Jack Warren

Companion Organizations

Major Historic Events in Maryland (before D.C. was formed)

The Maryland Society SAR has determined the routes followed by the various elements of the troop movement south.

Five were by land:

  1. Washington and Rochambeau's Ride (senior officers)
  2. The Cavalry Route (Lauzun's Legion; hussars)
  3. The Route of the Allied Army
  4. The Wagon Train Route from Annapolis to Georgetown
  5. The Wagon Train Detour
Four were by water:
  1. from Elkton
  2. from Annapolis
  3. route 3 (departure port not specified in 2001 annual report)
  4. route 4 (departure port not specified in 2001 annual report)

  • The U.S. Continental artillery and troops traveled from Elkton MD to Williamsburg VA in row galleys that they had moved overland from Christiana DE by attaching wheels to the galleys. The French transport ships were delayed in getting to Elkton, so the French marched on.

  • The French Expeditionary Force rested for three days in Baltimore going south.

  • Most of the French troops boarded transports at Annapolis for the trip to Williamsburg VA. Only the general staff, the baggage train, and the hussars went overland on the way south.

  • The French stayed in Baltimore for a month going north and also left their siege artillery there. It was hard to transport on wagons and could be picked up by ships later.

  • The French used six camps in MD on the march on both their southern and northern march, plus two on their southern march only and two on their northern march only (a total of ten camps).

W3R-MD Activities

For upcoming events click on "Schedule of Events" in the left column and
      for MD events see August 26, Sept 6-7 and Sept 12
      for DC events see Oct 14 and 15

In 2001 January the Maryland SAR published a booklet (see cover below) entitled "Marching to Victory -- a guide to the Yorktown Campaign through Maryland and the District of Columbia", with a description of the route and photographs of historic homes along the route. THIS WAS UPDATED TWICE IN 2007. The latest version is posted here:
"Marching to Victory" -- 2007 Nov version [a 2 Mb PDF file]
To order a copy (price is $20) send an Email to bdaniel@typestylesdp.com. Since this 56-page report has many pages with color illustrations it may cost more than $20 to print it on your home printer.

Photos of Maryland's historic roadside markers are being posted on the Web site of Maryland's Dept. of Transportation.

The W3R of the District of Columbia

The W3R-DC is operating in partnership with the W3R-MD. Our joint efforts are reported above under Maryland.

"America’s March to Yorktown” passed through DC

At 9 AM on Sept 20, 2006 the marchers crossed the MD/DC line at Eastern Ave. and were met by met by the W3R Committee and by District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution, City official, representatives from the French War Veterans, and residents for a ceremonial "Passing of the Lantern of Liberty -- Lighting freedom's Flame" from Maryland to the District. The march continued down Rhode Island Ave. and right onto Florida Ave., stopping at 7th St.

After lunch at Howard Univ. the march continued down Florida to 9th St, right one block to V St., then right again onto Florida Ave. and followed this over to Massachusetts Ave. They continued on that road and stopped at the Anderson House (home of the Society of the Cincinatti).

Returning to P St. and Florida Ave. as it becomes 23rd St they continued west on P St. to cross the ford in Rock Creek. Contining on P. St. they took the first left at Mill Road around Rose Park to 27th St. They continued south on 27th St., turned right onto Olive St., went one block and turned left onto 28th, then turned right onto M St for 2 1/2 blocks to The Old Stone House where there was be an interpretive program.

From there they went west on M St. to the Key Bridge, stopping at the Forrest Marbury House (3360 M St) at 34th and M.

2006 Oct 10:   The W3R-DC joined the DAR and CAR in Georgetown to commemorate the renaming of a bridge to honor Lauzun's Legion and in Washington DC to celebrate the restoration of monuments to Generals Lafayette and Rochambeau.
See the Photo-report.
2007 Sept 26-27: W3R-US members from several states were invited to and attended a two-day symposium of international scholars -- sponsored by the Meridian International Center and the French embassy -- on "Le Marquis de Lafayette and the Spirit of Revolution".
See the Program, speakers, and schedule.
2007 Nov 06: DC Mayor Fenty Discusses W3R with French Pres. Sarkozy [PDF]

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