228 Trees in American History 



The soldiers are all in line; they are waiting to 

 receive their new commander-in-chief, General 

 George Washington. 



Soon Washington and all his officers appear. 

 He walks with them from his headquarters to 

 the great elm which now bears his name. They 

 halt under its broad canopy of shade. Under the 

 elm General Washington draws his sword, and 

 takes command of all the Continental Army. It 

 was a great day for America. Ever since, the 

 tree under which this ceremony took place has 

 been called the Washington Elm. 



The tree was even then very old. It was older 

 by half a century than the welcome of the Indian 

 Chief Samoset to the white settlers, in 1621. To 

 this day it stands there, admired by all who come 

 from . near and far to gaze upon it. Long life 

 to the Washington Elm, the valued relic and re- 

 minder of those Revolutionary days so long ago! 



Eighty years have passed, and more, 



Since under the brave old tree 

 Our fathers gathered in arms, and swore 

 They would follow the sign their banners bore, 



And fight till the land was free. 



Holmes. 



