Printer-friendly article page http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/200608280550/news03/608280322&t... Page 1 of 2 8/28/2006 This is a printer friendly version of an article from the The Journal News. To print this article open the file menu and choose Print. A wet but spirited march in Suffern By ALICE GOMSTYN THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original Publication: August 28, 2006) Dan Hess stood in his hunting frock, blue trousers and felt hat, preparing for what was to sure to be a soggy march outdoors. He didn't seem to mind too much. "They marched in the rain, so I guess I can march in the rain," said Hess, 51, of Suffern. "I draw the line at contracting camp fevers," he added with a smile. "That, I won't re-enact." Hess was one of more than a dozen Revolutionary War re-enactors who converged at the Suffern Community Center yesterday for a short march commemorating the 225th anniversary of the encampment of some 7,000 American and French soldiers at Suffern. The soldiers, led by Gen. George Washington and a French general, the Compte de Rochambeau, stopped at Suffern on their way to Yorktown, Va. There, they fought British Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis and his forces a battle that proved pivotal to the Americans' success. Yesterday's march and the reception that followed was the last of a three-day series of events in the Lower Hudson Valley called "The March to Victory: The Crossing at King's Ferry." Re-enactors at yesterday's event represented a variety of regiments and dressed accordingly. Some donned blue coats with brown facing, the traditional garb of the 5th New York Continental Regiment. Others wore red coats with yellow facing, the uniforms of Dillon's Regiment, a regiment of Irish troops serving the French king. Hess' light-colored clothing was typical of Colonel Pawling's Levies, a regiment of New York state troops stationed in Ulster and Orange counties. Women, who drove many of the wagons that accompanied the regiments, were also represented at yesterday's event. Among the youngest was Ana Svibruck, 13, of Blauvelt. For Svibruck, it was a family affair her parents
Printer-friendly article page http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/200608280550/news03/608280322&t... Page 2 of 2 8/28/2006 are Revolutionary War re-enactors. "It's a lot of fun," she said. "You learn a lot." Yesterday, Svibruck was dressed in a white cap and a burgundy cloak. She and other women stayed at the back of the procession as it headed from the community center to a French army camp historical marker on Washington Avenue. The march was led by Ramapo town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence and Suffern Mayor John Keegan. After the march, St. Lawrence, retired Col. Jim Johnson, the former head of the military history program at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and now the executive director of the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, and others took turns speaking about Suffern's important place in history before a small but enthusiastic audience. "For this village suddenly to see 7,000 men showing up for dinner must have been something extraordinary," Johnson said. "We say thank you to Rochambeau for bringing the French troops here," St. Lawrence said. The ceremony concluded with the firing of muskets into the air, led by 5th New York commander Joe Ryan, and cheers of "hip, hip huzzah" by the re-enactors. At a reception after the event, the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Ramapo Historian Craig Long and the village of Suffern with a certificate of appreciation. Stephen Devillo, 49, traveled from the Bronx for yesterday's re-enactment. He was glad that yesterday's rain didn't stop the ceremony. "It was great," he said. "I'm impressed that they went ahead and did it."
Photos by Kathy Gardner/The Journal News Revolutionary War re-enactors Joe Ryan, left, of Buchanan, retired U.S. Army Col. Jim Johnson of Highland Falls and Howard Tendler of Valley Cottage have dinner yesterday provided by the Suffern farmers market after a ceremony to rededicate the historic marker for the encampment of a French general, the Compte de Rochambeau. When Rochambeau's army camped in Suffern during the Revolutionary War, his men wrote of the warm welcome and good food they enjoyed.
Soldiers representing five regiments of the New York Line and the Royal troops of France march in formation for a memorial service to honor eight French soldiers who died in Van Cortlandtville during the Revolutionary War, Aug. 26, 2006. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )
American revolutionary troop re-enactors fire on the Clearwater that is carrying British troops at the waterfront at Verplanck Point Park August 27, 2006. ( Ricky Flores / The Journal News ) American revolutionary troop re-enactors fire on British boats at the waterfront at Verplanck Point Park August 27, 2006. ( Ricky Flores / The Journal News )
The historic marker on Washington Avenue in Suffern, commemorating the march of American and French soldiers to Virginia during the American Revolution is rededicated Aug. 27, 2006. From left are, Victor Miranda of New City, Jon Svibruck of Blauvelt, Joe Ryan of Buchanan and Christopher St. Lawrence, Town of Ramapo supervisor.( Kathy Gardner / The Journal News ) The French deputy Counsel General, Chantal Chauvin, addresses those gathered Aug. 26, 2006, for a memorial service to honor eight French soldiers who died in Van Cortlandtville during the Revolutionary War. They are buried at the historic Van Cortlandtville Cemetery in Cortlandt. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )
Crosses mark the spot where eight French soldiers who died in Van Cortlandtville during the Revolutionary War are buried at the historic Van Cortlandtville Cemetery in Cortlandt Aug. 26, 2006. Members of Boy Scout Troop 45 stand at attention for a moment of silence during a memorial service to honor the soldiers. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )
Soldiers representing five regiments of the New York Line and the Royal troops of France march in formation for a memorial service to honor eight French soldiers who died in Van Cortlandtville during the Revolutionary War, Aug. 26, 2006. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News ) Miranda Morrison of Verplanck, left, and Sarah Hurwitz of Springfield, N.J., weave, wash and mend soldiers' clothing at the "laundry" of the encampment set up along the Hudson River at Steamboat Dock in Verplanck for Patriots Weekend activities Aug. 26, 2006. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )
The Brigade of the American Revolution is reviewed by Gen. George Washington, portrayed by John Kooperman, III of Colchester, Conn., and Benjamin Tallmadge (Bob Allegretto of North Andover, Mass.). ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News ) Troops forming The Brigade of the American Revolution march from their encampment set up along the Hudson River at Steamboat Dock in Verplanck for Patriots Weekend activities Aug. 26, 2006. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )
Troops forming The Brigade of the American Revolution march from their encampment set up along the Hudson River at Steamboat Dock in Verplanck for Patriot's Weekend activities Aug. 26, 2006. ( Stuart Bayer / The Journal News )