Old-Hasbrouck-house

Newburg, deep in your soul,
History you hold, has gone untold,
Birthplace of the Badge of Military Merit.
With limitless values and countless credit.

Amidst your foliage stands tall,
Old Hasbrouck-house with silent walls,
caressed by "the Great River of the mountains" a
relic history a sacred fountain.

Washington's home in autumn of 1782,
abode of his servants, slaves and troops too, a
prominent era of our republic,
birth of a nation, rich and historic.

Dreary mansion, hall of reception,
once filled with hospitality and celebration.
the square building stands aglow,
"with seven doors and one window".

Stories and commotions lit parties,
with French wine filling the ambient hearty,
but, the commandant wouldn't partake,
as he meditated on his soldiers fate.

Freedom of speech prevailed,
as everyone imbibed and hailed.
palavers and gestures heard throughout,
condemned by decendants pout.

II
A British officer had been quartered,
Scathed by wounds suffered,
Surgical care was afforded,
till he succumbed and departed.

The jest and mirth suddenly waned,
and conversations detained,
when the sad news broke loose,
general and troops stood confused.

With dignity and respect,
all marched out in regret,
cognizant he was contrary,
all were afflicted, all were sorry.

Observing from the "old square house",
one can see the broad bay and rocky sprouts,
as Hudson meanders through the land,
caressing the towering banks of the Highlands.

And as the mountains recede east,
Matteawan stream forwards like a beast,
turbulently through glens and falls,
rambling, pacifying in Hudson's fall.

See the sinistral bald rocky summits,
once possessed by beacon-fires,
where alarms warned incursions,
of the enemy's planned invasions.

The promontory of West Point,
occults the Hudson to endless points,
and Pollopell's Island military prison,
where captives dwelled for reason.

III
Now in your soul spirits dwell,
guarding your history so well,
entrusting your richness to the divine, a
symbol of freedom, a treasure of time.

© Copyright Sergio A. Morales All Rights Reserved

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“Old-Hasbrouck-house”

This poem was written about Washington's Headquarters also known as the "old Hasbrouck-house located a little south of Newberg. The old Hasbrouck-house was also known as a square room with "seven doors and one window". It is an irregular building of rough stone. Our Great General George Washington occupied these premises in the autumn of 1782 as the headquarters of the American army, also to host guests in reception and to quarter a wounded British officer.

In 1776 beacon fires often blazed, warning our soldiers of the British incursions from the south also communicating signals between the frontier posts in Westchester along Verlplancks point,West Point and the barracks and encampment of the plains of Fishkill.

Matteawan was the name given to range eastward of the Hudson by the Indians, including the Fishkill Mountains. Matteawan means "Country of Good Fur".

It was here in the "old stone house" that Washington addressed his troops and read his general orders. In October 15, 1783, he had a military convention at a large barrack or storehouse then called "the new building". In the autumn of 1783 the war was over and our independence had been won. There was a lot of discontent and a sense of betrayal felt among his troops. He thus calmed his soldiers to a sense of submissive duty and loyalty to the cause.

Shortly after this he departed, with that portion of his army, which did not accompany him to take possession of New York. He had deep sense of patriotism in his heart and a lot of warm love for his country.