History repeated itself Sunday at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn as hundreds of people took part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Brooklyn. NY1's Natalie Duddridge filed the following report.
Marching up the hills of historic Green-Wood, the Regimental Band of the Merchant Marine Academy re-enacted the past. It was there - 239 years ago - that the Battle of Brooklyn took place.
Now, centuries later, hundreds of history buffs and beginners took part in a commemoration ceremony and re-visited 18th-century living.
"It’s important to know where we came from and how we got here. As a social studies teacher I’m particularly sensitive to that subject," said Andy Lieb, a social studies teacher. "This is the largest assemblage of men of any one battle up until the Civil War."
The Battle of Brooklyn was fought on land now part of Green-Wood Cemetery. It was the first battle of the American Revolution waged after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on Sunday the heroes were honored.
"There were over 400 Maryland troops that were slaughtered right here in the Gowanus Creek. And many other people captured and put on the prison ships over in Wallabout Bay that suffered and died over the course of the war rather than sign loyalty papers to King George," explained Raoul Mallalieu, a member of the New Jersey Militia.
Carrying flags and in costume, visitors came to get a real feel for life during the American Revolution and also meet the soldiers, horses and famous colonial Americans.
"Obviously I studied revolutionary war in high school and a little in college but I didn't know there was this involvement in Brooklyn. So living here and knowing there's that history there is really awesome," said one observer.
Historic Green-Wood's summer hours continue until the end of September with gates open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and trolley tours scheduled every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m.