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YORKTOWN, N.Y. - The Yorktown Historical Society is heading up a grassroots effort to raise money for a monument commemorating a battle in Yorktown that took place 231 years ago.
"A lot of people don't even realize that this battle took place," said Historical Society President Paul Martin. "These men were our first veterans."
The Battle of Pines Bridge occurred May 14, 1781 when Col. Christopher Greene, the Black Freeman and Native Americans, members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, perished while guarding the Pines Bridge crossing and the patriot line along the Croton River.
Martin said about 38 men were killed in the skirmish. A mass grave is located somewhere near the Davenport House on Croton Heights Road. Greene's remains are interred at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Yorktown.
The idea for the monument was first proposed a few years ago by Yorktown Police Officer Michael Kahn, a Revolutionary War buff. Martin said $20,000 has been raised to date, a far cry from the $300,000 needed.
"It's become very grassroots. We'd really like it to come from the people," Martin said. "We're trying to raise the entire amount through private donations."
The Historical Society is hopeful of having the monument constructed by May 2014.
Anyone interested in making a contribution can send a check, with "monument fund" in the memo section, to: Yorktown Historical Society, P.O. Box 355, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. For more information, send an email to pbmc1781@gmail.com or prm3@hotmail.com.
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