Let me just start out by
saying I love a good re-enactment. I love it so. I love the idea of it, seeing
it on TV, and now I can say it is in better in person. To say it is fun is by
no way even a fraction of how much I was amused by this. I was prancing and
dancing on the inside. But first let’s start where all good stories start, at
the beginning. I know, I know, I want to skip to the end too. But I promise
this will be worth it.
About a year or two ago, I learned that
Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York was a national historic landmark. It
is famous and significant for many reasons but the initial reason I was so
interested in its background was its history. Greenwood Cemetery is the site
where the Battle of Brooklyn was fought in August of 1776 making it the first
after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As my regular readers
know I have visited Battle Hill in Greenwood Cemetery before (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/05/for-entrance-into-pearly-gates.html) and have been
planning to attend the annual anniversary celebration events for a long time (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html). Last year the big two
hundred thirty fifth anniversary day was rained out and canceled because of
Hurricane Irene. This just made me
even more excited and anxious to attend this year.
I knew this was a very popular event and I knew that I had to plan ahead. The only activity that you had to book ahead of time and pay for was the Battle of Brooklyn Trolley Tour (http://www.green-wood.com/event/236th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-brooklyn/). I loved the previous trolley tour I had taken and knew that this one would be great too as it focused solely on this momentous event in our nation’s history. Even better was the fact that the tour was being led by an author and historian with expert knowledge in this field.
After the tour was what I
had been looking forward to all year- the re-enactment. When I hear those words
I automatically picture people in the Deep South dressing up and recreating the
Civil War, don’t ask me why I have never even seen a re-enactment of any kind.
But it is what I associate it with. But the thought of seeing one in the middle
of Brooklyn, in a cemetery, with Revolutionary era costumes was too much. I
don’t know what I was picturing but boy was I in for a surprise or two.
On the big day, two weeks
ago this Sunday, I woke up early to charge my camera and get my gear in check.
The weather was perfect and even a little cool in that early morning air. I was
thrilled and hoped it would stay that way as long as possible. While waiting
after arriving at the cemetery, I saw the horses being brought in and a few
people already dressed for the re-enactment that would begin later. It was
strange but awesome at the same time especially because I was in a cemetery.
In that early morning
light the bright green grass was gorgeous. As I waited for the trolley tour to
begin, I wandered around taking photographs and taking in the scenery. Even
though I had been there before it is truly a beautiful place. I know that might
sound strange but Greenwood is known for its natural landscape. In fact, the
land is another reason it qualifies for landmark status not just for history
but also for its natural beauty. In today’s ever changing world it is rare to
accept something for remaining the same and untouched for so long.
Once the tour was about
to kick off I was the first to proudly board the trolley. After the other
visitors got on I was in for a nice surprise. When I booked this tour I knew in
advance that our guides would be an author and a historian both obviously quite
knowledgeable about the Battle of Brooklyn. However there is a difference
between knowing something and being able to communicate that to others in an
effective and interesting way. Minor details from two hundred years on being
displayed on tiny maps is a sure fire way to lose an otherwise captive
audience. But I was instantly hooked on these two men and all they had to say
and show us.
I will begin first with
the Greenwood historian, Jeff Richman. He had an interesting personal story
also. He shared with the group that after taking several tours at Greenwood he
felt he could do this also and began taking groups out himself. He was able to
bring a great deal to these tours and even stressed the importance of the
Battle of Brooklyn tour. He had a lot of great input, places for us to stop,
and places to point out. I look forward to taking many more of the tours he is
a part of. Mr. Richman made history come alive and when you can make anything
come alive in a cemetery it is always a success story.
His fellow lecturer was
author Barnet Schecter. Mr. Schecter is an expert on this topic and has written
several books about these years in history. On hand that day on the trolley, he
passed around copies of Revolutionary Way maps from George Washington’s
personal collection. I was like a kid in a candy store. It was like being in
school again. I have always loved history and political science so this tour
was even better than I bargained for. When David McCullough’s book “1776” was
mentioned I was flying high. I too had read that book and it was amazing for
the detail and play-by-play vantage you get of the lives of soldiers and what
war was like for them.
Mr. Schecter was a bonus
on this tour and what he was able to add is not something easily described. He
was able to rattle off facts and figures but while also making sure he put them
in context. When he was describing the scene anyone could follow the story even
someone that was not as aware of the history. The backup documents he shared
with us as well as the handouts we got to keep show his dedication and passion
for the subject. I could have listened to him talk all day long. I was elated
when he said that he would sign copies of his books after the tour. Naturally I
was the first one on that line too.
As for the tour itself, I
am afraid I cannot capture all that we saw and learned. But I encourage
everyone to go and see it for themselves. My favorite part however, was one
that I had seen before at my previous tour, Battle Hill. Still, seeing it on
this particular day somehow changed everything. You became more aware of it. As
the tour progressed we were leading to this destination. We had taken a trolley
but Washington’s soldiers had marched here in deteriorating clothing, with
whatever ammunition was left, and in the dark of night. We had learned how they
had faced their enemy up close and personal. They found an unfathomable battle
where there was no shelter on land that even today you can picture open,
exposed, and rough.
On this day, the ground
even seemed more hallow. You knew you could be standing on unmarked graves. It
made you proud to be standing near Minerva as she looked to her counterpart,
the Statue of Liberty. It made me wish that this tour was a requirement for
every American.
After my trolley tour was
over and my book was signed, I could hear guns being fired and some commotion
from the meadow. I knew this was the area where the re-enactment was being
staged. At different points on the trolley tour I could hear some of it too,
depending on where we were. I didn’t want to miss too much so I raced over.
Apparently it had started early than I was told so it was pretty backed. I
pushed my way to the front of the line and as close as I could get. The fake
redcoats (British army) were in front of me. All men on either side were on
horses firing rounds at each other. They were speaking to their men but I
couldn’t really hear what they were saying. There were women off to the side
cooking fish on flames and standing there for support. Someone even “died”.
I was very excited to be
watching this scene and if the crowd were smaller and if the weather had
remained cooler I would have stayed longer. But by that point it was unbearably
hot and I knew the re-enactment would be ending soon and the next portion of
the day’s events would proceed. Next up was the parade up to Battle Hill and
then a ceremony up there would take place. I loved see all of the flags that
led up to Battle Hill and as our trolley drove us back at the end of our tour I
was able to take a picture.
The part of the
re-enactment I really didn’t care for was the ESPN style announcements that
were going on. For some reason it never occurred to me that anyone would be
explaining what we were seeing. I thought we would watch like it was a live
movie or something. But there was this constant voiceover, so and so is talking
and then moving etc. It was annoying. There were also a lot of kids there. I
realize that is probably why there were announcements but I can pretty much
guarantee they weren’t listening and I am sorry if you don’t understand what is
happening go home. Yes I am a re-enactment snob. If your kid wants to see
horses up close go to a petting zoo not a cemetery.
I still don’t know where
that voiceover was coming from but that combined with the heat forced me out
within five minutes. But at least I got to meet Mr. Benjamin Franklin who was
holding his kite under a tree providing him some shade first. I am happy to
report he was delightful although you can imagine my confusion as I visit his
grave every time I am in Philadelphia.
Speaking of trips, I am
and have been so eager to visit Boston for such a long time. The last few weeks
I have been feeling the itch even stronger. This visit and thinking about the
Revolutionary War is pushing that trip even closer.
There was an interesting article recently in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/nyregion/historian-points-to-gowanus-brooklyn-lot-as-grave-of-first-maryland-regiment.html?pagewanted=all) about the Battle of Brooklyn and a project a local historian is working on to preserve the land near the Gowanus Canal that might be the site of the graves for some of these soldiers. This site is currently under a superfund due to the mass pollution it has endured. Mr. Bob Furman hopes that some day when this site is cleaned up the history behind this land will create for Brooklyn what Boston has in its Freedom Trail. He is so poetic in this article articulating that once again these soldiers will be saving the landing for America. I hope he is right.
It will just be another
tour put on my to-do list for another year and I will gladly squirm with
excitement on the inside and out for that too.
I wonder if there will be
re-enactments. I am just saying, where there is a will there is a way.
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