Whelp, the Brits won again.
Green-Wood Cemetery celebrated the 239th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn — the Continental Army’s massive routing at the hands of British troops and German mercenaries that marked the Revolutionary War’s largest battle — with a day of re-enactments on Aug. 27.
King George III’s redcoats may have bested Gen. George Washington a couple of centuries ago, but history-loving Brooklynites were the winners on Saturday — and like the one-day trouncing, the historians kept their expositions short and sweet, one attendee said.
“They kept it informational but not too long, which was good for the kids,” said Robyn Thompson of Gerritsen Beach. “There were plenty of people in character that knew their stuff.”
Thompson — a Maryland native — said her daughter Amelia was particularly interested to learn about the Maryland 400 — a regiment of 400 Old Line Staters who lost more than half of their numbers protecting Washington as he retreated from the crown’s onslaught.
“That was a cool history to pass on,” Thompson said. “Amelia liked to hear about the Maryland 400 and how they traveled so far to protect George Washington.”
Re-enactors showed off period dress, arms, and armor, and gave attendees a glimpse into daily life in the late 18th century. A Marine Corps band also led a march to the top of the cemetery’s highest point — Battle Hill — where riflemen made a stand against advancing British troops.
The historic cemetery’s rolling hills and the expansive vista atop Battle Hill provided the perfect setting for edutainment, Thompson said.
“Green-Wood Cemetery in itself is beautiful, and to be able to walk and see the history was fantastic,” she said.
