Did
you know that the Revolutionary War could have been won or lost
right here in Sunset Park? Were it not for the heroic deeds
of some patriots from Maryland the United States might not exist.
Greenwood Cemetery right here in Sunset Park is where Battle
Hill can be found. The highest point in Brooklyn at 220 feet
above sea level is where the sacrifice of the Maryland
400 took place. Their sacrifice
on August 27, 1776 Saved
Washington's army in the Battle of Brooklyn and led eventually
to the survival of the revolutionary forces and our independence.
The Maryland regiment you see, bought time for Washington's
army to retreat and fight another day.The day before on August
26, 1776 the Delaware
Regiment of patriots fended off a much larger Brittish force
and protected Washington's right wing. Today the spot is marked
by a monument featuring a staue of the Godess Minerva that faces
directly to her sister staue, the Staue of Liberty.
Minerva
waves to her sister the staue of Liberty. The inscription reads:
""THE PLACE WHEREON THOU STANDEST IS HOLY GROUND"
Glory to the memory of our first national heroes who fought
and fell on this battleground to win our liberty and independence!
Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, Glory and Patriotism, here salutes
the Goddess of Liberty and enwreathes this altar in tribute
to the heroes of American Liberty and to the wisdom of American
institutions."
The
cemetery is also the burial place of many famous and infamous
people. There are more than 600,000 souls interned there. Among
those are Leonard Bernstein who is buried near Battle Hill.
Others include Boss Tweed, Samuel F. B. Morse,
Joey Gallo, and Horace Greeley among others. For a more comprehensive
list you can visit the cemetery's official
site as well as the list here
which is more comprehensive. A thread on a New York bulletin
board devoted to the cemetery can be found here
and is an intersting commentary and includes many photos. You
will find additional photos taken by us below.
Monument
to Civil War dead located on Battle Hill
Monument
erected to commemorate the Dealaware regiment located at the
4th Avenue entrance to the cemetery.
Detail
of Delaware regiment monument.
See
also
Your
purchase opf this book at Amazon.com
will help support this site.
