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More History
The Present Honors The Past
Fort Lee, 1999
Many of you already know of the role played by the people of Fort Lee and Bergen County in our country's War of Independence. New Jersey stood in the midst of the new nation's struggle and came to be called "The Cauldron of the American Revolution." Less well known is the role of this area in the Second American Revolution, the War Between the States. Not everyone in this state supported the war. Farmers from the central and southern parts of the state hired runaway slaves to work their fields. It was the institution of slavery in the South that supplied them with this source of cheap labor. They advocated neutrality for the state. They opposed sending troops to fight in "Mr. Lincoln's War." In fact, just before the pivotal Union victory at Gettysburg, a declaration of neutrality had been under consideration in the New Jersey state legislature. The men from Fort Lee and Bergen County supported the Union and President Lincoln. They flocked to the colors in both New Jersey and in neighboring New York. Famous New York units, such as the 88th Regiment of the Irish Brigade, counted men from Fort Lee and Bergen County in their ranks.
History never exists in isolation. It does not occur in fits and starts. We still can feel the effect of the Civil War, the struggle for Union and Freedom today. History is a continuous line. Our past is filled with high points and celebration. It also has its share of suffering and struggle. It is all our history. Our past has created the present. Here, at Living History Weekend, the present remembers the past. The timeline presented by the soldiers of the 9th Regiment of the 88th Brigade, NYG shows the progression of uniforms and weapons through over 200 years of our nation's history. The living historians who portray their Southern adversaries help students to understand the cause for which so many fought and died. The result is an experience that brings 6ur past to life. Our thanks go to the many individuals who have helped to bring this marvelous experience here to Fort Lee.
The Story of the Ceremonial Company 88th Brigade NY Guard
In 1997 several events took place that impacted on the unit performing for you today. The first thing that happened was the renumbering of the 1st Brigade NY Guard. On August 1st. 1997 the unit was redisignated the 88th Brigade NY Guard. This ended a three-year fight to reestablish the numbers of the 88th Volunteers the famous 2nd. Regiment of the Irish Brigade of Civil War fame. This proud unit had been disbanded after the Civil War and the number had remained dormant for 130 years waiting for the State to recall it to the colors. With the signing of the orders Gov. Pataki once again brought the proud history of the Regiment back to life. The second event that moved the show closer to fruition was the massed enlistment of the 88th NYSV Living History Regiment into the ranks of the NY guard. This provided the 88th Brigade with a period color guard capable of showing uniforms and equipment of the original regiment. The unit appeared for the first time in its new designation as the Ceremonial Company of the 88th Brigade at the Grand review of the NY Guard held in September 1997 at Camp Smith NY. In January 1998 the color guard was assigned to the 1st Battalion 9th Infantry NY Guard and plans were made to expand the presentation to include the history of that famous Regiment which holds the distinction of being the longest continuous serving regiment in the nation.
The Program you will see today shows the development of the dress of the NY Guard from 1776 to 1919. The periods covered will be 1T76 NY Militia of the 6th NYM. 1790 the 9th NYM, 1810 Light Company 9th NYM, 1840 Line Company 9th NYM,1850 Ensign and enlisted man 9th NYM, 1862-1865 88th NYSV, 1870 Grenadier Company 9th NYM, 1890 garrison dress 9th NYM, 1919 field dress of the 646 Mortar Battalion 9th NY guard, The present uniform of the 9th Inf. NY Guard.
A little about the troops who stand before you. They are students, security officers, lawyers, teachers, and writers. They all serve as volunteers in the NY Guard who only draw pay when activated by order of the Governor of the state of New York. Within the Guard the assignments cover Radiological monitoring technicians, Decontamination technicians, Military Policemen, Personnel Specialists, Staff clerks and officers.
All told in 35 appearances last year this unit volunteered over 2000 additional hours in service to the state in this educational program. We hope you enjoy the presentation.
The Troops of Co. C 1st Bn. 9th Regt. NY Guard The Ceremonial Company of the 88th Brigade NY Guard
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