The historic Albany Rural Cemetery is set to hold a dedication ceremony to unveil a new headstone for Civil War veteran Captain Samuel L. Bridgeford of Albany on Saturday, August 3rd. Captain Bridgeford, who died in 1901 at the age of 82, served with the 43rd NY Infantry and 20th NY Calvary. [Read more…] about Civil War Headstone Dedication at Albany Rural Cemetery
Military History
The Patriot War: Republic of Canada
A nineteenth century invading army’s journey into battle had two options, by land or by water. In the winter of 1838 the patriot army, which sought to invade Canada from New York State and overthrow the British Crown, saw a third alternative – by ice.
With Lake Erie covered with ice, “a band of the invaders determined to make it an avenue of passage across to Canada at a point where discovery would be improbable,” according to Our County and Its People, A History of Erie County published in 1898. [Read more…] about The Patriot War: Republic of Canada
After Hours Tours of Fort Ticonderoga at Sunset
Fort Ticonderoga is offering guests the opportunity to experience the history and natural beauty at Fort Ticonderoga during specialty evening tours.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise aboard Fort Ticonderoga’s touring boat Carillon to discover why Lake Champlain is one of America’s most historic waterways. During a Gossip Tour, visitors can learn salacious stories about Ticonderoga, dating back to 1755. The power of artillery is on display during a dramatic cannon demonstration on the Guns by Night tour. [Read more…] about After Hours Tours of Fort Ticonderoga at Sunset
The Patriot War: ‘Remember the Caroline’
When the fugitive William Lyon MacKenzie arrived in Buffalo Dec. 11, 1837, both the Lake Erie city and the United States were at the dawn of great expansion. The Erie Canal had been completed a decade earlier, and Buffalo was now the gateway for western migration.
There also was talk of expansion to the nation’s south. Just a year earlier, American frontiersmen had taken up arms and carved the Republic of Texas out of Mexico Could northern expansion also be part of America’s destiny? If not expansion, could Americans at least help their neighbors throw off the last English claim on North America? [Read more…] about The Patriot War: ‘Remember the Caroline’
The Forgotten War Between the United States and Canada
William Lyon MacKenzie strode into a packed theater in Buffalo, NY on the night of Dec. 12, 1837, his blue eyes blazing beneath his high, broad forehead, his sandy whiskers a chinstrap beard. The short, wiry 42-year-old native of Scotland had arrived in the booming border city a day earlier, a fugitive with a price on his head, after launching an ill-fated rebellion against the oligarchy that ruled colonial Canada.
More than 2,000 Buffalo residents waited anxiously to hear him speak, quite a crowd for a city of not even 18,000 souls. [Read more…] about The Forgotten War Between the United States and Canada
Military and Court Records Genealogy Course in Schenectady
The Schenectady County Historical Society has announced Genealogy 201: Military and Court Records, a six week course with Certified Genealogist Judith Herbert, set for Wednesdays, Aug 28 to Oct 9 at 6:30 pm, at Mabee Farm, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction. [Read more…] about Military and Court Records Genealogy Course in Schenectady
Campaign to Saratoga Talk at Bennington Battlefield
Author Eric Schnitzer is set to deliver a presentation about his new book in collaboration with historical artist Don Troiani, Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777: The Turning Point of the Revolutionary War in Paintings, Artifacts, and Historical Narrative, on Saturday, August 17th at 11 am, at the Bennington Battlefield in the Caretakers House, 30 Caretakers Road, Hoosick Falls. [Read more…] about Campaign to Saratoga Talk at Bennington Battlefield
A Common Sailor’s Life During the Civil War
As the Civil War raged on the land, the two national navies — Union and Confederate — created another war on the water. The naval war was one of sudden, spectacular battles as well as continual and fatal vigilance on the coasts, rivers, and seas.
US Navy veteran and US Navy Civil War sailor re-enactor John Dellapenna, along with other men who portray United States soldiers and sailors from the Civil War era, are set to host a re-enactment of “A Day in the Life of a Sailor,” on Saturday July 27th from 10 am to 4 pm at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site.
[Read more…] about A Common Sailor’s Life During the Civil War
Storming of Stony Point’s 240th Anniversary
The July 2019 “Crossroads of Rockland History,” focused on the 240th anniversary of the storming of Stony Point. Michael Sheehan, historian at the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site joined Clare Sheridan to discuss the history (and some misconceptions) surrounding this important victory for the Continental Army and they recapped the commemorative events that took place at the site on July 13 & 14, 2019. [Read more…] about Storming of Stony Point’s 240th Anniversary
Epic Battle Being Brought to Life at Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga is set to host one of its signature events, “Montcalm’s Cross,” a two-day battle reenactment, on Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21.
Featuring hundreds of reenactors, cannons, drums, muskets and more, this is the largest battle reenactment of the year at Fort Ticonderoga. The battle will highlight the Battle of Carillon fought between the British and French in July 1758, considered the bloodiest battle in North America until the American Civil War. [Read more…] about Epic Battle Being Brought to Life at Fort Ticonderoga