American Legion Post 1269 in Sharon Springs has announced plans to honor the memory of five American soldiers killed in the Battle of Sharon with a monument dedication on Memorial Day.
The men, part of Colonel Marinus Willett’s command of Mohawk Valley Militia, were killed on July 10, 1781 while fighting Tories and Indians led by John Dockstader. After discovering that nearby Currytown had been attacked and burned, Willett gathered about one hundred and fifty men and found Dockstader’s force camped in Cedar Swamp, about one mile east of modern day Sharon Springs. Although outnumbered two to one Willet managed to draw the enemy into an ambush and defeat them.
The planned monument is being jointly funded by the American Legion and the Sharon Historical Society. It will consist of a bronze plaque, fastened to a boulder, and bearing the names of the five American patriots killed. The monument will be placed near Bowmaker Pond for easy accessibility since the actual battle site is near busy Route 20. The plaque will be on display at the annual Memorial Day ceremony which will take place in front of the Sharon Springs Central School on May 26, 2014 at 11:00 am.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the monument, which will be inscribed in memory Capt. Robert McKean, Pvt. Frederick Bellinger, Pvt. Adam Kittle, Pvt. Caspar Lerhri and Pvt. Ebenezzer McMicle, may send a donation to Sharon Springs American Legion Post 1269, PO Box 204, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459.
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