Over the weekend there will be a series of special events happening in Kingston. A reenactment of the October 16th, 1777 British burning of Kingston will happen on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here is a detailed event list from the 1st Ulster County Militia’s website…
Friday, October 14:
7:30 pm - American Committee of Safety Meeting at Hoffman House Tavern on North Front Street, Uptown Kingston.
8:00 pm - British Council of War between Land forces commanded by General Vaughn and Naval forces represented by the Fleet Commodore will be held on the Kingston Point Beach in the Naval encampment
Saturday, October 15:
10:00 am – Naval Forces land British troops on Kingston Point Beach. British Troops repel Militia defenders to begin their attack on the waterfront of Rondout. After taking the beach, British forces begin their march to attack the Rondout district. Scattered resisitance is met along the aproximately 1 1/4 mile route
12:00 -3:30 - Public to tour camps, demonstrations, naval competitions, races, etc
3:30 pm – A “surprise” attack on the British encampment by American Militia Troops begins as the Kingston Militia tries to drive the invaders off.
7:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Grand Ball held in Council Chamber in the Restored City Hall on Broadway in honor of the Victorious General Vaughn and his Lady.
Sunday, October 16:
8:30am – Reading of the Articles of War. Sailors convicted of offenses shall at this time receive their punishment.
8:30am - Camp opens to the public for the morning
1:00 pm – Citizens of Kingston pack their belongings and flee the city in the face of the British troops approaching the Stockade District in Uptown Kingston. (Wall Street and Main Street). Troops meet the American forces and battle through the same streets and past the same buildings that stood there in 1777 during the original attack.
You can read more about the event as well in the Kingston Freeman’s 10/9 article “Kingston gets read to burn”.
