1839 Raid on Bethpage
"The British Empire Strikes Back... Again!"
A demonstration of a hypothetical defense of New York
Old Bethpage Village Restoration - 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Saturday, May 4, 2024
A demonstration of a hypothetical defense of New York
Old Bethpage Village Restoration - 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 4, 2024
10:00AM - Event begins
11:00 - Skirmish
11:30-1:30 - Occupation of Old Bethpage Village
1:30 - Skirmish
4:00 - Event ends, Old Bethpage Village Restoration Closes
10:00AM - Event begins
11:00 - Skirmish
11:30-1:30 - Occupation of Old Bethpage Village
1:30 - Skirmish
4:00 - Event ends, Old Bethpage Village Restoration Closes
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Hempstead Light Guard - A volunteer militia which served to protect western and central Long Island prior to the Civil War. The Hempstead Light Guard never saw combat in reality, but did play a part in civic functions, including providing part of the escort for President Andrew Jackson's funeral in 1845. The HLG was disbanded about the time of the Mexican-American War.
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British Army & Royal Navy - The redcoats and jack tars of Queen Victoria's armed forces will conduct the raid on Old Bethpage Village Restoration in this hypothetical scenario. The professional soldiers and sailors carry a world-renowned reputation as some of the finest. In the first half of the 19th Century, the UK was the undisputed master of the seas with a growing colonial empire.
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The disputed area, settled 1842.
Image by Nicholas W. Beeson, University of Michigan
What's this about? Historical Context -
President Martin Van Buren presided over a growing but fragile United States. As the country expanded westward, the nation was becoming increasingly divided north-and-south on the expansion of slavery. Talk of states' rights to "nullification" began in greater earnest. Van Buren's predecessor, Andrew Jackson, strongly asserted federal supremacy while going to war with the banking system. The Panic of 1837, caused in part by foreign economic forces, triggered American bank failures and a five-year economic depression and the unity of the states was beginning to grow thin. American independence was no longer questioned. But American security was not guaranteed, either. Hold-overs from its colonial past still presented unresolved problems at the country's borders.
The 1830s were a turbulent time in the Canadian provinces, with border disputes in Maine/New Brunswick as well as the 1837 Quebecois "Patriotes Rebellion" leading to spill-over in New York, coming to a head with the "Caroline Affair" in December of that year. American sympathizers used the ship Caroline to transport US citizens aiding the French-speaking rebels across the Niagara River. Canadian forces crossed to New York, captured, and burned the ship, sending it over the falls. Outraged Americans burned a British ship in turn. The Caroline Affair precipitated a diplomatic crisis between Washington, DC, and London.
About the same time, New Brunswicker and Mainer lumberjacks contested the Aroostook valley, whose borders were ill-defined following the War of Independence. The King of the Netherlands was called to arbitrate as a third-party per the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. His Majesty made a decision which the British accepted but the US rejected, leading to a continuation of hostilities. Maine land agents sent to survey the territory were arrested by New Brunswickers, and New Brunswick officials and loggers were, in turn, arrested by Mainers asserting their rights, while a short-lived quasi-independent French-speaking republic had set itself up in the political vacuum. The Maine legislature ordered money for posses and the militia, and the US Congress authorized funds for sending troops. The only actual armed contest was the so-called Battle of Caribou in 1838, where armed Mainer and New Brunswick loggers had a stand off, interrupted when a disturbed black bear attacked three Canadians, killing one of them. The Canadians shot at the bear, and the Mainers, thinking they were fired upon, shot back without hitting anyone. The Canadians fled.
US General Winfield Scott was dispatched to Maine to defend American interests and calm the situation while British and Canadian forces were moved near the area for the same reason. In the end, all of the points of conflict were resolved with the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty, named for Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British minister Lord Ashburton. A land border was clarified across Maine, Minnesota, and Michigan. The Caroline Affair was wrapped up. The peace everyone sought was secured, with both New Brunswickers and Mainers mutually disappointed in the final boundary, although Congress compensated Maine for the land loss.
President Martin Van Buren presided over a growing but fragile United States. As the country expanded westward, the nation was becoming increasingly divided north-and-south on the expansion of slavery. Talk of states' rights to "nullification" began in greater earnest. Van Buren's predecessor, Andrew Jackson, strongly asserted federal supremacy while going to war with the banking system. The Panic of 1837, caused in part by foreign economic forces, triggered American bank failures and a five-year economic depression and the unity of the states was beginning to grow thin. American independence was no longer questioned. But American security was not guaranteed, either. Hold-overs from its colonial past still presented unresolved problems at the country's borders.
The 1830s were a turbulent time in the Canadian provinces, with border disputes in Maine/New Brunswick as well as the 1837 Quebecois "Patriotes Rebellion" leading to spill-over in New York, coming to a head with the "Caroline Affair" in December of that year. American sympathizers used the ship Caroline to transport US citizens aiding the French-speaking rebels across the Niagara River. Canadian forces crossed to New York, captured, and burned the ship, sending it over the falls. Outraged Americans burned a British ship in turn. The Caroline Affair precipitated a diplomatic crisis between Washington, DC, and London.
About the same time, New Brunswicker and Mainer lumberjacks contested the Aroostook valley, whose borders were ill-defined following the War of Independence. The King of the Netherlands was called to arbitrate as a third-party per the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. His Majesty made a decision which the British accepted but the US rejected, leading to a continuation of hostilities. Maine land agents sent to survey the territory were arrested by New Brunswickers, and New Brunswick officials and loggers were, in turn, arrested by Mainers asserting their rights, while a short-lived quasi-independent French-speaking republic had set itself up in the political vacuum. The Maine legislature ordered money for posses and the militia, and the US Congress authorized funds for sending troops. The only actual armed contest was the so-called Battle of Caribou in 1838, where armed Mainer and New Brunswick loggers had a stand off, interrupted when a disturbed black bear attacked three Canadians, killing one of them. The Canadians shot at the bear, and the Mainers, thinking they were fired upon, shot back without hitting anyone. The Canadians fled.
US General Winfield Scott was dispatched to Maine to defend American interests and calm the situation while British and Canadian forces were moved near the area for the same reason. In the end, all of the points of conflict were resolved with the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty, named for Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British minister Lord Ashburton. A land border was clarified across Maine, Minnesota, and Michigan. The Caroline Affair was wrapped up. The peace everyone sought was secured, with both New Brunswickers and Mainers mutually disappointed in the final boundary, although Congress compensated Maine for the land loss.
But what if the outcome had been different? How would the US defend itself?
Our hypothetical scenario takes us to Long Island, a vulnerable location adjacent to New York City where the Royal Navy and British Army can make a demonstration of their power.
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, visitors are welcome and encouraged to see what could have happened if cooler heads had not prevailed between Washington and London, culminating in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. The 35th Royal Sussex Regiment and the Long Island-based Hempstead Light Guard will demonstrate how a defense of New York could have been envisioned in the event of a British raid on the United States during the early Victorian era--or Jacksonian Era in America. With the regular US armed forces relatively small and reliant on ad hoc local militias and watches, the United States was ill-prepared to deal with major foreign threats at the time. It had been primarily used against the Native American population and garrisoning strategic coastal areas. Likewise, the British Army of the time was small, having rapidly downsized after its triumph in the Napoleonic Wars, acting primarily as a colonial and domestic constabulary throughout its global empire.
Old Bethpage Village will be the stage for this hypothetical raid, envisioning a British landing force disembarking from a powerful Royal Navy squadron en route to blockading New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. The Hempstead Light Guard will attempt to fend off the British invaders while the redcoats of Queen Victoria will seek to eliminate the military threat from Long Island and block off New York City from the east.
For the third time in living memory, from the Revolution of 1775 and the War of 1812, the British and Americans will clash as the two powers seek to shape the course of history.
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, visitors are welcome and encouraged to see what could have happened if cooler heads had not prevailed between Washington and London, culminating in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. The 35th Royal Sussex Regiment and the Long Island-based Hempstead Light Guard will demonstrate how a defense of New York could have been envisioned in the event of a British raid on the United States during the early Victorian era--or Jacksonian Era in America. With the regular US armed forces relatively small and reliant on ad hoc local militias and watches, the United States was ill-prepared to deal with major foreign threats at the time. It had been primarily used against the Native American population and garrisoning strategic coastal areas. Likewise, the British Army of the time was small, having rapidly downsized after its triumph in the Napoleonic Wars, acting primarily as a colonial and domestic constabulary throughout its global empire.
Old Bethpage Village will be the stage for this hypothetical raid, envisioning a British landing force disembarking from a powerful Royal Navy squadron en route to blockading New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. The Hempstead Light Guard will attempt to fend off the British invaders while the redcoats of Queen Victoria will seek to eliminate the military threat from Long Island and block off New York City from the east.
For the third time in living memory, from the Revolution of 1775 and the War of 1812, the British and Americans will clash as the two powers seek to shape the course of history.
Reenactor Grooming Standards
Men's Hair - Hair was “short” according to the standards of the time, long queues long out of fashion. Hair does not need to be buzz-cut short, but should be relatively close and tidy. Military men's hair should not extend below the collar.
Facial Hair - Sideburns were extremely fashionable at the time, usually coming to the bottom of the earlobe, although many variations are seen in period artwork. Mustaches were not yet particularly common among British and American men, but the German Prince Consort brought the style with him. Soldiers should not have full beards as the order came down from King William IV that “Long hair and whiskers” were forbidden.
Ladies' Hair - Women's hair at the time was generally natural with buns, braids, curls, or complex "Biedermeier" styles for the most fashionable. Hair should not be an unnatural color or in obviously modern styles.
Accessories - No modern wristwatches, obviously modern glasses, sunglasses, or modern jewelry may be worn.
Facial Hair - Sideburns were extremely fashionable at the time, usually coming to the bottom of the earlobe, although many variations are seen in period artwork. Mustaches were not yet particularly common among British and American men, but the German Prince Consort brought the style with him. Soldiers should not have full beards as the order came down from King William IV that “Long hair and whiskers” were forbidden.
Ladies' Hair - Women's hair at the time was generally natural with buns, braids, curls, or complex "Biedermeier" styles for the most fashionable. Hair should not be an unnatural color or in obviously modern styles.
Accessories - No modern wristwatches, obviously modern glasses, sunglasses, or modern jewelry may be worn.