Washington's Battle Sword
Sometimes History Is Hard To Get To
If you’re exiting I-84 from the west at exit 44 in Fishkill, NY, as you’re waiting at the huge, crowded intersection to turn onto State Route 52, you might notice a historic sign near a tiny, overgrown brook.
I say might, because in all my years of reading public historic signs, this one may be the most aggressively inaccessible that I’ve come across.
No parking, no side roads, too busy and active an interchange to even slow down. I drove by it several times over the couple days I was in the area taking readings for my upcoming fire tower book, and each time I became more frustrated.
Finally, I manged to find a nearby side road where I parked and then walked back on the inhospitable median toward the intersection to read the sign, which highlights a not insignificant piece of history.
The sign tells the story of John Bailey, a cutler who lived in Fishkill and crafted George Washington’s famous battle sword right here along Forge Creek. The creek is really a drainage ditch now-a-days and I can’t figure out why the town wouldn’t put the sign someplace it can be read.
Anyway, how famous is the sword? Well, you know that painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware, right? Guess what sword he’s wearing?
Bailey was a pretty interesting guy. He was a British immigrant who moved to New York City in 1755, but fled when the red coats arrived, ending up in Fishkill in 1778 when he opened shop and built George his sword. Bailey tried to capitalize on his proximity to the famous general by applying for a post minting money for the then-president in 1790, but alas, Washington turned him down.
The sword was eventually inherited by the son of Washington’s nephew who donated it to the government in 1843. The Smithsonian added it to its collection in 1932.
I was eventually able to pick my way back to my car without getting run over!
Sidenote: Fishkill is called Fishkill not out of violence to fish, but because the Dutch word “kil” means creek. So, basically, “Hey, there’s lots of fish in this creek town.”
Ain’t history weird?
Housekeeping: Tomorrow, we hope to have a very special announcement and essay regarding Little Bean’s new project with a rock ‘n roll band. Stay tuned!
I am collecting (very slowly) all the NH historic markers (following up on a pandemic project) and most are very accessible. I really appreciate that! I think they should move this sign to a more accessible area. It even says "near here" so it doesn't have to be exactly right there!
I love those road sign history facts, but most are in places you cannot stop easily. Then again, you cannot change the location of an historical event.