A piece of history was commemorated on Saturday, August 29 as the Brooklyn Irish-American Parade Committee led a procession from Fourth Street into Washington Park to remember the Maryland 400—troops who repeatedly attacked large British forces during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn.
“I believe it was one of the largest turnouts they’ve had in recent years and it was very well attended,” said Ted General, vice president of the Society of Old Brooklynites. “I think it’s very important for the committees that sponsor these commemorations to keep history alive and to encourage the younger generations to get more involved with public events associated with this. It was a key part of early American history and I think it’s becoming of us to make the public at large aware of what occurred right here in Brooklyn.”
In conjunction with the 239th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn, the day’s events included the parade, the traditional reading of the roster of the Maryland 400 militiamen, two wreaths ceremonially placed at the base of the flagpole behind the Old Stone House where the day’s remarks took place, and a rifle salute.
“The fact that the Battle of Brooklyn was the first battle after the Declaration of Independence was signed and the largest battle of the Revolutionary War, I think it is very important to keep the historic significance alive.”