Ukrainian Orthodox center is site of re-enactment of historic battle of 1777 (06/12/05)

Ukrainian Orthodox center is site of re-enactment of historic battle of 1777

by Hieromonk Daniel

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - Weeks prior to the re-enactment of the historic Battle of Bound Brook of 1777 on the grounds of the spiritual center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., residents and visitors of New Jersey were invited to "Come join us for an exciting and historic weekend on April 23-24, 2005. Travel back to the year 1777 as we celebrate the Battle of Bound Brook ..."

The annual event commemorates the battle that unfolded on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1777, when 4,000 Crown forces - British, Hessian and Loyalist troops under Lord Cornwallis - marched through this area at dawn to attack a small garrison of American soldiers in Bound Brook. The ensuing fight marked the first battle of the spring campaign of 1777 during the American Revolution."

This year's event kicked off on Saturday, April 23, when 18th century American and British troops participated in a flag-raising at 10 a.m., then marched from the Soldiers Encampment in Memorial Park in South Bound Brook, across the Queen's Bridge and into Bound Brook for a commemoration ceremony, paying homage to soldiers of the past and present.

Following the march they re-enacted two exciting street battles of the day. After the battles, there was a memorial service at the Old Presbyterian Graveyard, hosted by the Sons of the American Revolution.

Bound Brook High School students offered a special program, portraying people from the Colonial period who are interred in the cemetery. Concluding the Bound Brook portion of events, an Indian interpreter from the 18th century presented a program for children and then George Washington spoke, bidding farewell to the public.

On Palm Sunday, April 24, some 1,500 witnessed the battle re-enactment between American and British Crown troops, which took place on the grounds of the Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., near the Consistory Office and the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, N.J.

The sound of cannon and rifle shots, the commands of the generals and the quickly moving soldiers who carried out those orders reminded both the participants of the re-enactment and the onlookers of the events of the American past. American history textbooks tell about the battle in the vicinity of Bound Brook, which took place on April 13, 1777, when the American soldiers under the command of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln were attacked by the British who planned to move on and occupy Philadelphia. Later that spring, however, an army of nearly 5,000 American soldiers prevented these strategic plans from becoming a reality.

Hendrick Fisher, close neighbor and friend of Abraham Staats, was an ardent American patriot present at the adoption of the declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, who brought a copy when he returned home. Days later he read the Declaration to people gathered in Bound Brook at the Frelinghuysen Tavern, where the Klompus Thread Shop later stood. He died in 1779 and was buried on the family cemetery, which still exists behind St. Andrew Memorial Church.

His family residence, also located on the grounds of the Memorial Church and cared for by Emil and Shirley Skocypec, opened its historic doors to visitors as well. Mrs. Skocypec, assisted by Stephanie Tybor, Donna Lacoco and Emily Sarisky, all dressed in colonial outfits, welcomed over 1,000 visitors to this historic site.

Numerous visitors to the Ukrainian Orthodox center that day were interested in more than American history. They wanted to meet Ukrainians at their spiritual center and to learn about their traditions and history.

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