The 7th Virginia Regiment, a Revolutionary War reenactment unit, will host a special encampment and battle on and around Gwynn’s Island this weekend.

The event is being held to commemorate the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Gwynn’s Island, better known to many as the Battle of Cricket Hill.

On the shores of Cricket Hill, near where Morningstar Marina sits today, Gen. Andrew Lewis, commander of the Virginia forces, formed a battery facing a stockade camp just across Milford Haven on the island, which was established by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore in July 1776.

The artillery fire from Cricket Hill is said to have damaged the camp and the British ships and eventually forced an evacuation of the island.

"We will have two encampments for the public to visit," according to Mike Cecere, commander of the 7th Virginia Regiment. "And on Saturday morning, artillery fire will roar across Milford Haven as we recreate the American bombardment of Gwynn’s Island."

He said camps will open at 9 a.m. Saturday. At 9:45, the Americans will march and move the cannon to the shoreline. The bombardment, according to Cecere, will commence at 10.

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