Historic Re-Enactment Featuring the Fourth Continental Light Dragoons
to Take Place at the John Dickinson Plantation on November 3, 2007
(Dover, Delaware - October 15, 2007) On Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the recreated Fourth Continental Light Dragoons will present a Revolutionary War era re-enactment at the historic John Dickinson Plantation in Dover, Delaware. The event is free and open to the public.
Based in Sewell, New Jersey, the Fourth Continental Light Dragoons are a Revolutionary War living history organization that recreates the activities of one of the actual regiments that saw service in the Continental Army under George Washington from 1777 to 1782. The organization accurately portrays this historic cavalry regiment by outfitting its members with exact reproductions of Revolutionary War uniforms, weapons, and equipment. The unit has performed at several Revolutionary War sites from Saratoga, New York to Yorktown, Virginia. For additional information, go to the organization's Web site at www.fourthdragoons.com.
Following is a description of the re-enactment that will take place during the November 3 program:
"It is the year 1782, and the American Revolution is drawing to a close. Though the final peace treaty is still a year away, all fighting has ceased and the Continental Army regiments are being discharged and the soldiers are returning home, many for the first time in six years.
The Fourth Continental Light Dragoons, an elite cavalry regiment, has been ordered to be discharged in November of that year. Having fought under General Washington since 1777, the service of this famous regiment is no longer needed, and the men are being sent home to return to their civilian lives. The troops, who hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, have assembled for one last time to be addressed by their beloved General Washington, receive their final orders and last pay, and say farewell to each other. It is a solemn moment for these men who have served with one another through years of hardship."
Other living history activities to be presented on November 3 include a Revolutionary War era recruitment tent, demonstrations of tactics, and firing of flintlock weapons. Members of the unit, some on horseback, will also be on hand for visitors to view their uniforms up-close and to answer questions.
Located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover, Delaware, the John Dickinson Plantation is the boyhood home and country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and "Penman of the Revolution." The Plantation features Dickinson's original 1740 brick home, reconstructed farm buildings, and a log'd dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural lands stretching down to the banks of the St. Jones River.
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: John Dickinson Plantation
340 Kitts Hummock Rd.
Dover, Delaware 19901
Telephone: (302) 739-3277
Admission: Free and open to the public
Parking: Ample, free parking is available at the John Dickinson Plantation
Directions: The John Dickinson Plantation is located on the northbound side of Delaware Route 9, one-half mile northeast of the intersection of Route 9 and U.S. Route 113
