Dear Editor:

Recently there appeared an editorial by Mr. Zbick concerning the lack of knowledge displayed by our school children when it comes to the history of our nation. I would venture to say that many adults are unaware of the history of this nation, and in particular, local history.I get the impression, from reading your newspaper, that history didn't occur here in the Carbon County area prior to 1843. Indeed, there is much Colonial era history here, as a part of Northampton County at the time.Most are aware of the Gnaden Huetten Massacre of 1755. Most are not aware that on January 1st of the following year, a similar massacre occurred of the soldiers sent to guard the Moravian grain mills. Or in the spring of 1780, the Benjamin Gilbert family, who operated a grain and saw mill along the Mahoning Creek, were taken captive by Indian raiders and taken to Canada. Also, in the fall of 1780, a detachment of Colonial militia set out from Fort Allen (Weissport), and were massacred just above present day Hazleton.Fifty miles to the north, on July 3rd, of 1778, more than 260 militia belonging to the state of Connecticut were massacred in the Wyoming Valley of PA (bet you didn't know that was Connecticut territory during the revolution!). Their families fled in terror through the great swamps with nothing more than the clothes on their backs while Indians and Tories laid waste to their homes and crops.As a living historian with the 24th Connecticut Militia, I wish to invite you and your readers to attend a national event, involving hundreds of reenactors, British Red Coats, Tories, Indians, Continental Militia, line units, artillery, and horses, as we recreate that faithful day and those that followed. This event will be held on July 16th and 17th, in Mt Cobb, only 3.5 miles off of I-84, or about an hour and 15 minutes from Jim Thorpe.For more information, please go to our website

www.battleofwyoming.orgThank you,Michael Eckhartmeck1776@ptd.netJim Thorpe