'The Battle at Minisink Ford' is historical society's luncheon topic

Lafayette — Local historian and author Peter Osborne will present a multi-media production of “So Many Brave Men: A History of The Battle at Minisink Ford” at the Sussex County Historical Society’s annual luncheon meeting on Saturday, March 26 at the Lafayette House in Lafayette, from noon to 3 p.m. On July 22, 1779, one of the most lethal battles of the American Revolution took place on a hill above Minisink Ford along the Delaware River north of Port Jervis, N.Y. Men serving in militia units from Ulster and Orange counties in New York and Pike County in Pennsylvania all participated in the battle, which was a disaster for the American militia units. More than one third of the militiamen perished. Using recently rediscovered documents, Osborne shows how significant this battle was to the settlers who lived in the valley during the Revolution. This information has not been seen for over 150 years and forms the basis of “So Many Brave Men,” a book he co-authored with Mark Hendrickson and John Inners. Osborne is the curator of education and special events for the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton. Prior to that he was the executive director of the Minisink Valley Historical Society in Port Jervis. Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner. Call 973-383-6010 or email to SCHS@tellurian.com for more information.