Washingtonville Community Cemetery Civil War Reenactment

10/13/2019

Saturday October 19 from 10am to 12pm is a Cemetery Cleaning and Mowing. All are Welcome. Please bring push mowers. Refreshments will be available to all who help

08/05/2017

On the second day of battle, July 2nd, 1863… the 124th New York found themselves on the southern edge of Devils den, fronting the “Triangular Field”. When Hoods division began a fierce attack , it included the 1st Texas among some others….so these were true and hardened combat veterans to say the least. At the time, the 124th was commanded by Colonel Augustus van Horne Ellis. And while the battle raged, and the bullets flew hot and heavy, Colonel Ellis was seen to be standing just behind the front line, almost nonchalantly with his arms crossed and showing no fear or worry. As the confederates made progress and got closer, Ellis called for some horses to be brought up. (Never a good thing to do while in actual combat.) Ellis, and his field officers mounted up. When a captain protested doing this, Ellis’s second in command, Major Cromwell, replied with, “The men must see us today”. With that, Major Cromwell jumped his horse over the low stone wall and in front of the 124ths line, pulled out his sword yelling “Stand firm men, attack, attack!!” Shortly he was hit by several bullets and fell from his horse. Seeing this, Colonel Ellis jumped his horse over the stone wall and with his sword drawn yelled, “Men, your major is down, You must save him, you must save him !!” And with that,….a bullet struck Ellis in the head, causing him to pitch forward over the front of his horse and he fell dead among the rocks. Both bodies were recovered by the 124th, and Ellis’s body was then laid upon a rock just to the rear of their line. While the union did lose possession of Devils Den that day, The stand of the 124th bought the Union about an hour on the left flank. And while it was only one hour, we as Monday morning quarterbacks know how valuable that hour was, allowing us to secure Little Round Top. The monument that you see here was dedicated on September 5th, 1892 with some surviving members of the 124th. The monument depicts Ellis in his pose that he was known for, showing coolness in the heat of battle,…and it is actually erected on the very rock that his body was brought to lay. The 124th N.Y. brought 238 men into battle that day, (18 officers & 220 men), of which there were 90 casualties. (28 killed, 57 wounded and 5 mia.)

This post comes from the Gettysburg Then & Now page and is an account of what happened to the 124th NY July 2, 1863. Issac Nicoll and 2 of the Denniston Brothers would have seen as the battle commenced

05/02/2016

05/01/2016

these Photos were taken by Bobbie Trager

05/01/2016

I want to thank everyone from The Historic 5th New York Volunteer Cavalry Inc., 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Company A, and Southern Rifles - 3rd Alabama, Co. D ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/261640042161/ ) for attending the event.... The final take for the Cemetery Upkeep was 500$. In a few week (May 20 weekend) some of the 3rd Alabama members will be attending Hill Hold Civil War Reenactment across from Orange County Park in Montgomery, NY. Go see the Historic 5th NY for up coming events at Museum Village. And the 11th CT/79th NY along with some brothers of the 67th NY will be providing an Honor Guard at the US Military Academy at West Point during the Celebration if the Birthday of the US Army on JUne 11th... Additionally Museum Village hosts the annual Civil War Weekend on September 3 & 4, 2016 in which the above units will meet again for a reenactment

04/30/2016

Thank you everyone for making this event GREAT

04/30/2016

Photos in the Cemetery provided by Ernie Hegmann. Eric Seemann Thomas Bierly Virgil Lovejoy

04/27/2016

I'd Like to send Condolences to Gary Lehning, on Behalf of all persons involved with this Event. He is the Commanding Lt. of the 11th Conn and had planned to attend the event. Unfortunately his Wife, Bea Lehning, passed away Friday and he will not be able to attend. His presence will be missed and though I did not personally know his wife (we only met once I think) I am sure she was a great woman if she was married to Gary. Our thoughts a Prayers go out to Gary and His Family.

Her wake is being held today from in Carmel, NY at Carigan Funeral Home from 3PM - 7PM ( will be attending with the Officers of the 11th CT/ 79th NY at 5pm) and funeral at 11AM tomorrow at St. James the Apostle Church

04/26/2016

Rules of the event:

Reenactors:

1) No modern Anachronisms (Cellphones, Wrist Watches, Cars, Bottles or cans) in the Camp area between 9:50AM and 4PM

2) Firing will not be permitted on the ground of the church except to inspect rifles

3) Weapons are not permitted in any building in the town aside from the Church except the Worship area.

4) Firing will be limited to no more then 5 shots, caps will be no more then 10 be aware if the musket does not fire you will have to Dump the weapon... The Police have asked us to keep it to a Minimum.

5) Please do not allow ANY spectators to handle any weapons

6) Please do not drive on the Churches Lawn

7) Please No Fire pits or fires on the Lawn

8) When Firing Please Elevate weapons for safety

Spectators:

1) Please Park in the Cemetery and obey all persons Directing Traffic in that area. Signs will Indicate where to enter the cemetery.

2) Please throw all Garbage in the cans around the church do not just leave Trash laying.

Everyone:

1) While in the Cemetery we ask that you remain on the Paths. Due to safety reason you should not walk on any graves. In addition there are numerous Gopher and/or Woodchuck Holes around and present a Fall Hazard.

2) Please do not lean on any Tombstones. You could knock them over

04/23/2016

Directions to the event:::

From CT - Take I-84 west across the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge to Exit 5A (Stewart Airport/Montgomery). At the end of the Ramp make a Left and follow the Road (The left lane turns into the Airport in about 2 miles) Until it ends. At the Light Turn Right onto Rt. 207. Go about 1 mile and Turn Left onto Toleman Road next to a Self Storage Place(also on left *warning* There is a Low Clearance 1 Lane Tunnel). You will pass Taft Elementary School on the left and the Road Merges with Bull Road and becomes North Street. North Street ends at Rt. 94 turn Right and make the Right at the Light. The Church is on Left just past the curve in the Road.

From Kingston/Albany (anywhere Along the North NYS Thruway) - Travel South to Newburgh/Danbury/Middletown/I-84. Take the Ramp to west I-84 and follow directions from CT

From NYC/NJ/Rockland County and Points South - Take I-87 North to Exit Harriman/ Woodbury/ Rt 17/I-86 after the toll booth continue straight (If you have been to Museum Village this will be easy). You will Proceed up Rt. 17/I-86 to the next Exit (Rt. 208 Washingtonville/Monroe) on the Ramp just Bare Right until it meets with Rt. 208. Follow Rt. 208 into Washingtonville, baring left just past the Sunoco Station and Mini Mall. You will pass a Large Field on the Right the Town of Washingtonville is just over the Hill in front of you. At the Light Continue Straight over Rt. 94 and the Church is just around the Curve on the Left.

From PA and I86/I84 west: Take I-84 to Rt. 17/I-86 east to New York City. Continue to the 4th Exit Goshen Rt. 207. At the end of the Ramp turn Right. Proceed through the town of Goshen along 207 Passing a rather ugly Building (Orange County Government Center) on your left. You will make the next right after passing the light in front of Orange County Courts onto Sarah Well's Trail. Follow this road until it merges with 208 outside Washingtonville bearing right at the Merge. Be warned this road speed fluctuates from 55 to 40 to 30. On your right will be a CYO building over the next hill is Washingtonville and over that hill on your right will be St. Mary's Church. The White Church in front on the right of you is the location

To spectators All parking will be in the Cemetery use the Entrance on North Street directly across from the Brotherhood Winery.

To Reenactor's parking will be directed and you will be given a pass. Please DO NOT ENTER ANY BUSINESS IN TOWN WITH ANY WEAPONS....

04/23/2016

I know most Reenactors are currently in Neshmity Pennsylvania (I hope the Weather is as good as it is up here, I froze at that event once because it was 70 degrees in the day and 35 at night, Too Cold). Ok on to the 30th the event's schedule is as Follows
9:45 AM - Reenactors Meeting (Order of March will be finalized)
9:50 AM - First Call
10 AM - March into the cemetery with Tour
(after the tour we will be very by ear if the tour runs long)
12 PM - Camp Life (All Anachronisms remain hidden, begin as soon as we get back)
1 PM - Fi****ms of the Civil War just showing different weapons no Firing
2PM - Drill
230 - Colored Soldiers, Back Up Uniforms
3PM - Rose Greenhow
330pm - Closing Ceremonies
4PM - Camp Closing

Please Note Reenactors DO NOT DRIVE ON THE LAWN and NO FIRE PITS...

The church will be opend Friday night at 7PM for those who are coming a distance and I Ernest Hegmann will be there at 7 to assist with set ups.

If any reenactors knows any women that can attend and you are coming Please bring them with you my mother is worried none are coming....