Battle of Monmouth replay marks Colonials' win

NorthJersey.com ^ | 06.22.07 | VIRGINIA ROHAN

[Coleus]

Amy Adamo of Bogota, who got involved in historical reenacting because of her late husband's passion for it, will carry on the family tradition this weekend -- playing a camp follower in the annual commemoration of the Battle of Monmouth.  "My husband, Mark, who passed away last year, had been a reenactor for over 25 years, and he never missed the Battle of Monmouth, no matter what," says Adamo, who is director of Manhattan's Fraunces Tavern Museum and will be joined in camp by her 5-year-old daughter, Arden.  "We need to remember that we were the crossroads of the Revolution. We played a very important role."

The Battle of Monmouth brought together the main Continental Army and the main British Army on June 28, 1778, and raged from 8 a.m. to just before 6 p.m.   It spawned the story of the brave Molly Pitcher -- an artillery soldier's wife who was said to have brought water to the troops that day and even to have helped load cannons. But its real significance was this:

"This was a huge victory for the Continental Army," says Garry Stone, historian at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, which straddles Manalapan and Freehold townships. "It was the first time that the British got the worst of it and were the ones that had to slink away in the middle of the night."

IF YOU GO

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WHO: Continental Army vs. British Army reenactors.

WHAT: 229th Anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth commemoration.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 347 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Manalapan; 732-780-5782 or www.monmouthbattlefield.com.

HOW MUCH: $8 donation per car requested.

Held annually, with five-year milestones getting the most hoopla, the reenactment this year is expected to draw 300 reenactors and a crowd of 3,000 to 5,000 people.  "It's a lovely hillside that people sit on and watch the event. The view is a mile and a half across orchards and farmlands," says Stone, the battle reenactment announcer. "It's a family-friendly event."  The temperature on that June day in 1778 was variously reported as 94 or 96 in the shade, and about 100 degrees in the open field, Stone says. "The British reported they had 59 men dead from what they called fatigue. The Continentals had a large number of soldiers who collapsed from the heat."

Though some of the reenactors will be wearing regimental coats made of wool, Ringwood reenactor Richard Cuneo points out, "We do take some liberties. We do use coolers with ice."  Cuneo, a real estate agent in Wyckoff who's been involved with Revolutionary War reenacting for about 19 years, is a captain with Doughty's Artillery, a reenactment group whose members occasionally also portray the Bergen County Militia.  Doughty's Artillery is named after American Revolution hero John Doughty, who's buried in Morristown, and at reenactments its members carry muskets (containing powder, but not actual musket balls). The company does eight to 10 reenactments a year.

At the Battle of Monmouth, Cuneo says, "they actually will follow part of the original scenario that took place there. ... It doesn't necessarily follow any pre-planned script. But they will follow which units were where, coming from which direction."  Cuneo started the artillery company about 12 years ago with his friend Mark Adamo, whose widow has played Molly Pitcher out on the field.  Was Molly an actual person, by the way?   Says Stone, "There are a number of real women who are the background for that myth."

[Coleus]

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[Martins kid]

A good way to remind today’s Americans of the tremendous sacrifices our founding fathers and mothers made to establish this great country.

[neverdem]

"This was a huge victory for the Continental Army," says Garry Stone, historian at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, which straddles Manalapan and Freehold townships. "It was the first time that the British got the worst of it and were the ones that had to slink away in the middle of the night."

No, it wasn't, but it was a nice victory nonetheless.

Faced with such overwhelming numbers, Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777. By the terms of the Convention of Saratoga, Burgoyne's depleted army, some 6,000 men, marched out of its camp "with the Honors of War" and stacked its weapons along the west bank of the Hudson River. Thus was gained one of the most decisive victories in American and world history.

Coleus, thanks for the ping. Pharmboy, I thought you might be interested. I'm sorry if this is a redundant ping for anyone, but a correction was in order.

[Caipirabob]

Amy Adamo of Bogota, who got involved in historical reenacting because of her late husband's passion for it, will carry on the family tradition this weekend -- playing a camp follower in the annual commemoration of the Battle of Monmouth. "My husband, Mark, who passed away last year, had been a reenactor for over 25 years, and he never missed the Battle of Monmouth, no matter what," says Adamo, who is director of Manhattan's Fraunces Tavern Museum and will be joined in camp by her 5-year-old daughter, Arden. "We need to remember that we were the crossroads of the Revolution. We played a very important role."

I beg to differ. Amy Adamo is now "of Manhattan". She is also working honorably preserve an important part of our American heritage and at the same time, she honors her husband. Good for you, Amy!

Just as my Maria, formerly of Bogota, is now "of Boca" and is a proud American citizen for some 12 years now.

Ringwood reenactor Richard Cuneo points out, "We do take some liberties. ..

"Richard Cuneo"...heh, for those of you thinking the same thing, if we were in Bogota, depending on how you pronounce this... ; )

[Conan the Librarian]

For those who might like to re-enact this battle in the comfort of their own home, you can buy this

http://www.gmtgames.com/armonm/main.html

I don’t receive any moneies from this, I was just a playtester.