North of the Grand Parade Road, below the east slope of Sugar Loaf Hill,
is the level ground “between the Pensylvania & the York encampment”
which served as the Grand Parade used by the Continental Army in
1779-80. Here the camp guards and detachments assigned to outpost duty
usually reported for inspection, and the troops were sometimes paraded
to witness military executions. The ground was also used for drill
purposes. Near the Grand Parade was the “New Orderly Room” where courts
martial were frequently held, and where Washington’s orders were
communicated to the army.