July 20: On this date in 1885, Edwin Clark Litchfield died; he was interred at Green-Wood several days later. Rumor has it that he insisted that he be buried facing away from Prospect Park, in eternal protest over Brooklyn’s seizure of the land around his home, Litchfield Villa, for the park’s construction.
July 19: On this date in 1835, Fireman Augustus Cowdrey
July 18: Brigadier General George Crockett Strong, on this date in 1863, led the Union attack on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, made famous in the movie “Glory.” He was slightly wounded in the leg and was sent back to New York City to recover, but developed tetanus and died within weeks.
July 17: Civil War General Francis Effingham Pinto, who also fought in the Mexican American War, died on this date in 1905.
July 16: Brigadier General Edward Jardine, who was seriously wounded and captured while fighting Draft rioters on July 15, 1863, and was told he would be executed, only to talk his way out, died on this date in 1893.
July 15: Mary White Ovington, co-founder of the NAACP, journalist, and suffragist, died on this date in 1951.
July 14: One hundred and fifty years ago today, a mob, taking part in the Draft Riots during the Civil War, attacked and looted the Brooks Brothers store on Catherine Street.
July 13: Confederate General Robert Selden Garnett was mortally wounded on this date in 1861; he thereby achieved the dubious distinction of being the first general killed in battle during the Civil War.
July 12: On this date in 1862, the Medal of Honor was created; William Donaldson Dickey was one of those who are now interred at Green-Wood who would be awarded one. His commendation read: ” . . . at the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864, when, refusing to leave the field and remaining in command after being wounded by a piece of shell, [he] led his command in the assault on the enemy’s works on the following day.”
July 11: On this date in 1804, William Peter Van Ness served as the second to Aaron Burr during his famous duel with Alexander Hamilton. After Hamilton’s death, Van Ness was indicted as an accessory to murder, but used his political connections to avoid prosecution.