Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
Revolutionary War re-enactors. And a motley looking bunch they are too. I particularly like the guy with the beard (second from the left).
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
This guy really is amazing: one of the best storytellers I’ve encountered. He’s something of a legend in the Hudson Valley, particularly known for his renditions, in costume, of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “A Christmas Carol“. His annual Hallowe’en performance of the former in the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow is particularly renowned and attracts sellout crowds.
Here he’s telling the story of the great West Point chain across the Hudson to a group of enthralled children and their parents (note how two of the children have linked their arms in the above picture).
I also have one of his books: Legends and Lore of Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson Valley. While no substitute for seeing him in person it’s still a good read.
For more on Jonathan Kruk see his website.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
This cannon was placed so as to fire South down the Hudson River. You can see some of the magnificent view from Boscobel looking out over Constitution Marsh towards Anthony’s Nose and Bear Mountain.
At a couple of points during the festivities they fired the cannon, and very spectacular it was too. I assume they were firing blanks and were not intending to take out the boats you can see on the Hudson. Although it would have been cool to see the splash of a cannon ball falling into the Hudson. Too bad.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
Above re-enactors in costumes from the Revolutionary War (on the left) and the war of 1812 (on the right) fire off their weapons. In the background Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands.
I took these pictures almost a year ago and only now have gotten around to posting them. According to the Boscobel Web Site:
History comes alive as military re-enactors set up encampments from the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, and World Wars. They demonstrate camp life with inspections, formations, musket firings, artillery demonstrations, and drills.
See General George Washington inspect his troops, hear President Abraham Lincoln address his army, and experience a Parrott rifled cannon—forged in Cold Spring at the West Point Foundry—shooting across the Hudson River. Celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Great Chain across the Hudson by seeing an original link from the Chain.
Throughout the event, 18th-century children’s lawn games will be available and the Historic House Museum will be open to explore at your own pace and direction, with expert guides stationed to offer insight and information. Rain or shine.
11:00am 6th NY fire cannon to signal camp is open; camp life with drill
12:30pm Hudson River Valley Stories by Jonathan Kruk
1:00pm Inspection of troops by General Washington, President Lincoln, and General Grant, and including children, at camp sites
1:15pm Address by President Abraham Lincoln
1:30pm Massed drill and weapons’ firing
2:15pm Hudson River Valley Stories by Jonathan Kruk
3:15pm Tactical exercise
3:45pm RetreatFood and beverages will be available for purchase from the Farmers & Chefs food truck, known for Hudson Valley farm-fresh food.
Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron A18 AF 18-250mm f3.5-6.3.
It seems that whenever I look into Revolutionary War history in the Hudson Valley I come across a reference the HMS Vulture. In this picture my friend, Ken stands next to a plaque in Sparta Cemetery, which reads:
“This stone was pierced by a cannon shot fired from the British sloop-of-war Vulture commanded by Lieut. Sutherland, September 1780.”
This brings us back to the Ladew family plot mentioned in an earlier post. The Ossining Historic Cemeteries Conservancy states:
A key point of interest is the Ladew family plot. It is the only plot that is enclosed by a brick wall, the west façade of which incorporates all five headstones in the wall. Two of the most famous tombstones are those of Abraham and Anna Ladew’s children—five-year-old Sarah and seven-year-old Abraham. Sarah’s stone is noted as the oldest legible in the cemetery, but Abraham’s is even more famous for another reason: a hole in the surface. Legend has it that in 1780 the headstone was pierced by cannon fire from the British war ship Vulture, patrolling the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War. A plaque has been installed in its place.
I’m at a loss as to why HMS Vulture would fire on Sparta cemetery.
Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.