Talkin' Bout a Revolution: Green-Wood Cemetery commemorates the Battle of Brooklyn * Brooklyn Paper

"Almost 150 years later, visitors of all ages explored history through presentations and lectures and hands-on activities, like writing secret messages in invisible ink and learning how "camp followers" - women who supported the troops with first aid and cleaning - washed the soldiers' uniforms."

"The 1st Rhode Island Regiment of Foot was formed in 1778 after the Rhode Island Assembly authorized the enlistment of enslaved Black and Indigenous men because Washington faced severe troop shortages. In return, the men were granted their freedom. While the unit was integrated with white soldiers, it became known as the "Black Regiment." Among the group's most notable battles were the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778, the Battle of Pine Bridges, and the Siege of Yorktown in 1781."

"Revolutionary War reenactors portraying soldiers with the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of Foot highlighted the historical importance of Black and Indigenous soldiers during the war. History buff Antoine Watts, president of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment/6th United States Colored Troops, said reenactments teach the public about the contributions and sacrifices Black and Indigenous soldiers made not only during the Revolutionary War, but also the Seven Years' War, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War."

Green-Wood Cemetery hosted a 249th-anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn, the first major engagement after the Declaration of Independence. Continental Army sites in Brooklyn were highlighted through presentations, lectures, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Demonstrations included invisible-ink writing and demonstrations of how camp followers washed uniforms using chamber lye because ammonia removed grease and dirt. Revolutionary War reenactors portrayed the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of Foot to emphasize the service of Black and Indigenous soldiers. The regiment was formed in 1778 when Rhode Island enlisted enslaved men in exchange for freedom and later fought at Rhode Island, Pine Bridges, and Yorktown.

Read at Brooklyn Paper