Ten members of the Lexington Minute Men traveled to Brooklyn on Saturday, Aug. 22, to reenact the largest Revolutionary War battle by troop deployment.
The group joined more than 250 living historians at Prospect Park for the 250th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Brooklyn, according to 6sqft. They performed near the site where the original 1776 battle took place, drawing thousands of spectators. The event was part of Brooklyn 250, a borough-wide commemoration organized by six cultural institutions including Green-Wood Cemetery, the Old Stone House and the Brooklyn Public Library's Center for Brooklyn History.
A rare road trip.
"We had a great time participating in the Battle of Brooklyn reenactment," Captain Commanding Dave Gipson said in a post on the group's website. "Traveling throughout the region to share the story of the larger, pivotal battles of our nation's early history is a gratifying experience for all of us."
The narrated reenactment began with the deployment of American troops, followed the British flanking maneuver down Third Street in Park Slope and ended with the last stand of the 1st Maryland Regiment at the Old Stone House. A speaking program started at 9:30 a.m., with the battle beginning at 10 a.m.
The original Battle of Brooklyn was fought in August 1776, weeks after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. British forces outflanked the Continental defenses and killed or captured roughly 1,000 American soldiers. General George Washington evacuated approximately 9,000 troops to Manhattan, allowing the army to survive and fight on.
Gipson, named the 82nd Captain Commanding on Aug. 17, joined the Lexington Minute Men in 2018 along with his twin brother Dan. When his appointment was announced, Gipson called the role "an absolute honor," adding that leading during the 250th anniversary "only deepens that honor."
The Prospect Park Alliance, the Old Stone House and the Brigade of the American Revolution presented the reenactment.
What's next
The Lexington Minute Men have two kit-making workshops scheduled for September: one focused on bounty coats and another on hunting shirts, both open to all members.
