Historical reenactment isn't a new craze. This postcard shows a group of men on Doylestown's old courthouse, dressed as "Sullivan's Division" during the town's Old Home Week in 1912. General John Sullivan and his men fought alongside George Washington during the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Day, 1776, securing an important bridge to the north of the town. This route is now the main road in Ewing Township, N.J. and is called "Sullivan's Way."
Three years later, the general commanded the Sullivan Expedition in 1779, a scorched earth campaign against four nations of the Iroquois that had sided with Loyalists against the American revolutionaries.
There are two details of the photo that interest me. The first is this man -- either he's wearing makeup to appear African American, or he actually is. I don't know enough about the Battle of Trenton to know if there was one lone black man involved for some reason. (Unless he's supposed to be Billy Lee.) Military history isn't my forte. Any thoughts?
The other detail is this fellow in the window. I wonder who he was.
Judging by his facial features, he appears to be African-American.
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