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Pines Bridge Monument

Photo of the Pines Bridge Monument in Railroad Park in Yorktown Heights, NY

The Pines Bridge Monument is a project to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the Pines Bridge Pass over the Croton River during the Revolutionary War.  The 1st Rhode Island Regiment under Colonel Christopher Greene was comprised of African Americans and Native Americas as well as European-American settlers.  The monument is designed to reflect that diversity, and will be the first Revolutionary War memorial to depict all three races together in combat.

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Remember the Revolution – Yorktown Heights, NY

 

History of Battle of Pines Bridge

The Davenport Attack May 14, 1781

Colonel Christopher Greene was in command of the Rhode Island Regiment at  Pines Bridge. The regiment  the regiment was comprised partially of formerly enslaved blacks and American Indians from Rhode Island.  Greene was responsible for guarding Pines Bridge and its approaches. Greene was assisted in command by Major Flagg, a fellow officer who had fought with him at the Battle of Red Bank.

On the morning of May 14, 1781, DeLancey’s Refugees slipped across the Croton River at the Oblenis Ford and advanced toward Col. Greene’s position at the Davenport House headquarters. The Patriots were only able to fire a few  shots before being overrun. Before Greene could dress and leave the house he was cut to pieces by the Tory forces. Greene’s Regiment put up fierce resistance, but they were defeated and Col. Greene was killed.

The Davenport House stands today on the north side of Croton Heights Road. The remains of  Colonel Greene and  Major Flagg are interred at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Yorktown. A mass grave somewhere near the Davenport House accommodates the remains of an unknown number of black soldiers from  Greene’s 1st Rhode Island Regiment.

The Monument

The Pines Bridge Monument was erected in 2018 to commemorate the Battle of Pines Bridge where Col. Christopher Greene, the Black Freemen and  Native  Americans, members of the Rhode Island Regiment, perished on May 14, 1781 while guarding the Pines Bridge crossing and the patriot line along the Croton River.

The monument is a heroic sculpture by nationally noted sculptor Jay Warren of Oregon. Mr. Warren’s previous commissions include both portions of the New Jersey World War II Memorial, the New Jersey Korean War Memorial, Victims of Terrorism Memorial at the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park overlooking the World Trade Center Site; John Coltrane Monument in High Point, NC, and the Sojourner Truth Memorial in Northampton, MA among many others (www.warrensculpture.com).

The monument depicts Colonel Christopher Greene, the legendary commander of the regiment. Two soldiers fight beside him, an African American and a Native American, all doomed to perish in the brief and desperate battle. This monument recognizes a significant event in Yorktown’s history and ensures that the sacrifice, valor, and allegiance of our predecessors will never be forgotten.

THOSE WHO GAVE ALL AT PINES BRIDGE

KILLED:
Colonel Christopher Greene
Major Ebenezer Flagg
Private Africa Burk (Burke)
Private Cato Bannister
Private John Green (Grear, Greere, Grier)
Private Jere (Jeremiah) Greene
Private John McDaniel (McDonald)
Private Jack Minthorn (Minthorne)

DIED OF WOUNDS:
Private prince Child(s)
Private Nathaniel Weeks (Weicks, Wicks)
Private Bristol Arnold

Ways to Donate

For more information, please email pbmc1781@gmail.com