More than two centuries after Thomas Jefferson first planted grapes on the grounds of his mountaintop plantation, red wine was produced from a vineyard at Monticello and offered for sale to the public. It sold out in less than a week. A vintage of 1,152 numbered bottles of 1999 Monticello Sangiovese was made from grapes grown in the very same Southwest Vineyard established by Thomas Jefferson and replanted in 1993 with the Sangiovese grape, a variety documented by Jefferson in 1807. The wine was harvested in September 1999 and aged for one year in oak barrels, then bottled at the Albemarle County winery of Gabriele Rausse, Monticello's associate director of gardens and one of the founders of the modern wine industry in Virginia. The 1999 vintage was sold only in the two Monticello Museum shops, which made its rate of sale even more startling. The price: $34.00 per bottle. More is on the way, for those who want to do some historic slurping: A 2000 vintage will be available late this year or early in 2002.
On July 9th, Tom Fleming was pressed into service by the New York County Lawyers' Association to address a downtown gathering celebrating the 225th anniversary of the announcement of the Declaration of Independence in New York. Tom described Washington's decision to have the Declaration read to all the units in his army by individuals with voices that carried far enough to make sure every man heard every word. He corrected the impression that it was read to the entire 23,000 man army formed in a hollow square on ``The Commons.'' They simply would not have fit in the available space. Some New York civilians decided that the best way to celebrate was to haul down the larger than life size equestrian statue of George III on Bowling Green. The scene is familiar, but not many people know that when the statue fell, the crowd, far from capering and shouting riotously, as in the well-known painting, watched the event in awed silence. Also, Washington was upset that some of his soldiers participated in the toppling. He could do nothing about civilians, but he did not want his soldiers involved in riotous behavior. A final little known fact: while most of the statue was melted down for bullets, the head was taken to a tavern on upper Broadway, where it was triumphantly displayed for a few days. Outraged loyalists broke into the place in the wee hours and smuggled the head back to England to convince the British that the American rebels deserved no mercy. After promoting this wrathful propaganda, the head quietly disappeared. Were the Brits afraid it might give some of George III's subjects ideas?
Monuments to Benedict Arnold in America are few and bar between. But Bill Stanley, Tom Fleming's friend from Norwich, Ct. (Arnold's birthplace) never stops reminding us that without Arnold, we might have lost the war in 1776 or 1777, and he deserves some sort of recognition. Now Bill reports with unconcealed delight that Saratoga National Historical Park had its first ever Arnold exhibit on the 200th anniversary of BA's death, June 14, 2001. The Park displayed a bronze plaque that may be the only American monument on which Arnold's name is spelled out. Another monument at the park, the so-called ``Boot Monument'' is a portion of a booted leg, a tribute to the painful wound Arnold suffered leading the critical assault on Breymann's redoubt.
Arnold's name is not on this monument, nor is he represented at the Saratoga Victory Monument, where every other American general in the battle has a statue. The plaque has a curious history. It was donated to the Park by the DAR in 1938. It was fastened to a grove of elm trees that the DAR had planted to commemorate the victorious generals in the battle. Arnold was listed, although a DAR archivist now says it may have been ``a mistake.'' In the 1960s, the elms succumbed to disease and the plaque was placed in storage. The rediscovered plaque was displayed in the Visitor's Center for several days, along with other Arnold memorabilia, and then returned to storage. Coincidentally, Saratoga Park is not the only place BA has gotten recent attention. The lead article in the August American History credits him for the victory at Saratoga. For a final fillip, the editors of this newsletter noted a curious coincidence: Arnold died on what is now Flag Day, celebrating the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.
On August 18th 20001, Round Tablers Jim Davis, Richard Fermeglia and Jean Hayter stood on the Long Meadow of Prospect Park viewing the events of August 27, 1776, as hundreds of reenactors portrayed the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn (or Long Island). It was the Brigade of the American Revolution in all its glory!
After an opening presentation of revolutionary military tactics by the President's Guard (Third Regiment, U.S. Army) George Neumann expertly narrated the conflict between the doomed rebels and the British brigades. Among the Brits was Round Tabler Lt. Col. Peter Ford leading the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The 18th Century officer quickly dispatched a 21st Century photographer from the line of march.
Cannons roared and soldiers fell as the British steadily pushed the Americans from the field, the same ground in conflict during the battle. The Americans retreated (marched) down modern 3rd Street followed by the British and thousands of viewers.
Mr. Neumann took up the narration at the Old Stone House. Near there, Smallwood's Marylanders & Delawares fought off the British attack until overwhelmed by sheer numbers, allowing Washington's main force to escape to their forts on Brooklyn Heights -- and eventually to Manhattan. This battle was preceded by a wonderful concert given by the Fifes, Drums and Bugles of ``The Old Guard.''
Of course, speeches were many and mostly forgettable, but two statements stood out. Dr. Ray Raymond of the British consulate (who was booed in jest) stated that the events of August 27, 1776 were for his country the classic example of winning the battle and losing the war: a conflict which would begin the long movement toward western democracy, which Britain and America now defend as friends. George Neumann pointed out that whether one's family has lived in America for 300 years or you just became a citizen this week, the American Revolution is your heritage. Hear! Hear!
As seen on NBC's The Weakest Link.
Question asked: To protest high taxes, who rode naked through Coventry?
Answer given: Benjamin Franklin
Yes, the contestant was removed from the show.
Once again, your Quiz Wiz has fallen victim to Bruce Jones. Here are his correct answers to June's ``Odd One Out.'' 1. Valley Forge was an encampment in Pa. The others were battles. 2. Morristown was an encampment in NJ. The others were battles. 3. New Windsor was an encampment in NY. The others were battles. 4. Charles Lee was not related to the other Lees of Virginia. 5. Lord Stirling was an American officer. The others were British. 8. John Dickinson was the only one of this group who did not sign the Declaration of Independence. 7. John Adams was the only one who did not sign the Constitution. 8. The Bonhomme Richard was commanded by John Paul Jones. The other ships were commanded by John Barry.
Identify this group by using the following clues
A free drink to the first three winners.