Hello
Hi! I've beem  looking at this community lately. it's cool! I have never done reenacting before but I'd love to someday! It sounds like sooo much fun! I only have two questions: (so far)
1. What are stays?
2. What are sutlers?
Thanks for letting me join!
Huzzah! (best word ever)

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

Battle of Trenton reenactment/Patriot's week Dec 27-29th.. Anyone attending & Interpreter Help neede

Hello to all on this silent snowy night.

Is anyone or their regiments planning on attending the Battle of Trenton/Patriot's week events in Trenton this year?

I'm going down Fri night most likely, staying in the Barracks w/my unit,  and staying till Sun
( AND hitting a number of sutlers)

Also for any distaff( women) or civilians who are NOT partipating in the Battle of Trenton, the Old Barracks needs interpretation help along the battle march

Read Below!

Hello everyone,
 
We are looking for assistance from the distaff or others not participating in the battles themselves for taking up "stations" along the routes and answering questions etc along with directing folks along the routes.
 
If you have any that are willing to help please have the contact me at wendymoyer@verizon.net as soon as possible. We will have information on the details of the battle etc for them so they need not be all knowledgeable about the battles to help.
 
Many thanks for your assistance!
 
Wendy
Interepter Old Barracks Museum


FYI here's the schedule of events
http://www.patriotsweek.com/PWEEK2008.pdf

I remain
Yr most humble Obediant servant

Maggie
2NJ Helm's Coy/3rd NJ Jersey Blues

Current Mood: peaceful

(Comment on this)

AWI-Related Legislation
I ran across this item on the Revlist at Yahoo groups today:

Rush D. Holt (D-NJ) introduced a couple of bills last month relating to Revolutionary War battlefields. The first, H.R. 158 directs "the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the battlefields of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and for other purposes." ( Full text of resolution... )

The second measure amends "the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to establish a battlefield acquisition grant program for the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and for other purposes." ( Full text of resolution... )

Finally, a group of Distinguished Gentlemen from the State of South Carolina have introduced a piece of legislation designed "to authorize the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion."

(Comment on this)

Help with a question about law
My father in law just passed away and we inhereted his cannon--- we live in Massachusetts. Do we need any kind of permit to own it or just when we want to fire it? Thanks !

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

YORKTOWN PICTURES!!!!!!!
Okay I will be positng more of an actualy post soon. But here is the Yorktown pictures I have so far

http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/Yorktown2006/?start=0


and this site is from another reenactor over on gthe British side

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k45/tayloropolis/225%20Yorktown%202006/?start=0

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

The good the bad and the ugly of the big one for the year.

The 225th Yorktown has come and gone and I have returned home... the event can be put into a few categories...

The good - The sutlers row. We had a great diversity of choices for shopping for people of all ages and impressions. Great to see so many come out. The company. With so many people i got to meet people in units I normally do not have a chance to meet. The public...yes they were in abundance, excited and really into the entire event. I salute you all. Endview...wow was the plantation well set up for the scenarios we had planned. Despite having limited rounds per each tactical, the storming of redoubts 9&10 was still an intense engagement. Being reviewed by a real, modern British Major General. That was just too cool for words.

The bad - NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ALL YOU NEED TO DO. You guys must be on crack to think we can make a real dinner and eat it with less than 30 minutes till the evening tactical...WE JUST GOT BACK FROM ENDVIEW! Troops need to eat you know. The traffic patterns. Going in and getting out of the crown camp was the hardest i had to work to do this.

The Ugly - NPS...sorry your organization was sad. We were told by different NPS people contradictory things every 30 minutes. We can get the powder box now, then we can't...you can keep what you did not use, no bring it back. I also hate to say it, some reenactors. People, when you know you need to be inspected and get special approval by the NPS inspectors before you participate...BE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TO HAVE THIS DONE. Late showing infantry held up our demonstrations on Saturday and wasted time during a day we had no time to waste. Please adhere to the event rules please.

In the end, I had a great time. Kristin got a gown commissioned (silk for dressy occasions) and also has fabric for 2 other gowns..her draping is deposited and will take place in the off season. Yay!

I got an autographed copy of the book "Benedict Arnold's Navy". Book looks good too can't wait to read it.

(Comment on this)

Pioneer Village
Saturday morning, I went to Saukville, Wisconsin for a reenactment. The weather was great reenacting weather. Instead of oppressive heat, it was around 65 to 70 degrees with no rain. The only problem was the flies. If there was any sort of food on the table, they swarmed; if no food existed, they still swarmed! What was worse, when we got in the car to come home, they hitched a ride with us and now we have flies all over our house!!! Anyway, the music sounded really good this weekend. We had a few rehearsals and then performed. Usually, when we perform, we find some shady spot to play. This campout was entirely different though! The drum major for the River Valley Colonials was there so we marched around camp instead. It was so cool because everyone heard us.

The battles were interesting. The main problem is the field is set up in such a way that if you get stuck on the side, the audience cannot see what is happening. Unfortunately, in many of the battles, that exact thing happened. The final battle was really cool though. Apparently, the Continentals were supposed to slaughter us, and slaughter us they did. There was a point where the Crowned forces seemed to be doing well, and then an ambush from the trees came out. As a fifer, I usually don’t die because I’m behind the line. With the ambush however, a large window opened up in front of me and at the next volley, I yelled and went down dropping my fife a few feet away from me in the process. Then, the Mollys from the opposing side came around. They stole my fife!!! It was ok because they gave it back, but I wasn’t expecting it to get stolen.

Overall, the weekend went pretty well. Unfortunately, this is the last event I can go to until next spring. I guess that means I have a lot of time to learn more fife music!

(Comment on this)

Hello
Hi everyone. I've been reenacting since last August. I am the fife player for Campbell's Co'y of the New York Volunteers (Loyalist) in the NWTA. We just came back from our Delafield Encampment on Sunday. Even though it was extremely warm, it was quite a bit of fun. Our unit is currently changing our impression from the Campbell's Co'y in 1776 to the New York Volunteers of 1777 and acquiring Regimentals. My mother made the prototypes (the musician's one for me and an infantrymen's one for my brother). They are quite attractive: Green with white facings for the infantry and white with green facings for the musicians. I look forward to discussing reenacting with others here!

(2 Comments |Comment on this)

( A picture I took of a reenactionCollapse )

(1 Comment |Comment on this)

Kristin and I arrived on Saturday morning around 8:30 at the beutiful and spacious Pratt Farm in Southbury Connecticul to a seen of tentage and overcast skies. The skies would mist some during the day, but otherwise it was just kept comfortable by the cloud cover. Katie had to go off to a wedding so she left shortly after our arrival and did not return till evening. We had a better than normal turnout for the BAR Butler groups. In attendence for Frey's company was Dave Solek, Don Cox, John and Jill Maney, Mickey Wind and Kristin Negrycz, Katie Cadell, and our newest members Lisa and Johnathan (last name i am not sure yet). We were joined by Walter Butler's company memebers John, Kevin, Ernie, Billy and Phil.

We had our morning color ceremony and formation. Kristin went off to do the people of the brigade and got to play the flirtatious young lass looking to hook a soldier. In all honesty, I think she already did well in reaching that goal. Our ceremony went well with the 23rd Regiment providing us their colors for the day.

The battle scenerios were the same both days with big victories for the crown side. The rebels were having problems with their man power and were terribly outnumbered for some reason. THe provincials were all rangers it seemed and we did our fighting entirely in the woods out of sight from the public until the very end of the engagements on both days. We had one great flank fire on Saturday that left one continental unit dazed and confused. I do not think i saw looks like that in a battle in all the years I have been doing this. It was fun to say the least.

The battle ended and Kristin's Aunt came to the camp just missing the battle. We got to show her sutler row and introduce her to the many members of the Butler family. upon her leaving we had our meeting which we voted and accepted Johnathan and Lisa as new members of our unit. Congratulations to you, we look forward to seeing you around our camp fires!

We left for the wedding reception, after a beer or two, down at Sandy Tarbox's place just down the road. I regret not to have much to report on it other than I got the chance to meet a few people and see the bride and groom in their lavish clothing. The fireworks were also a nicely added touch. You do not get to see that at many weddings.

Sunday was a terribly hot day. The sun shown with little breeze and much humidity. The high would top out in the mid 90's. This Father's Day was spent mainly laying around and not doing much until the battly. quite frankly it was too hot. The action in the morning involved the women and the tactical. Katie, Kristin and Jill took part in the scenerio in which they had to play women who overheard plans and therefore had to be taken away until the raiding party reached safety. They got to resist and the soldiers were allowed to by physical back. Kristin got tackled, had her wrists bound and was also held by rope to a tree for a time. Needless to say she has the bruises to prove how rough it was, but she had a blast!

After the battle we packed up and went home. Boy am I tan even with the sunscrean. I look forward to our next event.

Laura it was a good time! I think you grossed out our unit mates though with your poo talk =P

(Comment on this)

Hi everyone, I'm going to start reenacting this summer for the Huntington Milita in Long Island, and I've been searching the internet for reasonably priced costumes for women. Does anyone know a site of where I can find that? Thank you.

(3 Comments |Comment on this)

Its never too early
Hey 2007 has 2 big events already lined up! 230 Saratoga and the 230th Battle of Cooche's Bridge (the only battle fought all in Delaware and a part of the Brandywine campaign) will be going down in September and August respectively. 2007. Cooche's will be held at Brandywine State Park on the actual site of that battle (which is odd since all actions will be based on a previous one). AND WE THOUGHT 2006 WOULD BE THE END ALL FOR BIG EVENTS. Fuggetabout it.

It appears they will do some 230th's in the lack of 225ths to come =)

(Comment on this)

Wow
Wow, is right. This year will be 4 events with probably over 1000 people attending. Southbury, RIdgefield, Pound Ridge and Yorktown. Lansing Manor has the support of the BVMA, Northern department of the CL and will probably have around 600 reenactors there. That will make it the largest event that far north in the US (have to exclude UCV from 2 years ago) since Saratoga. BTW next year is the 230th Saratoga and another large event at the same old site will be done!

My unit will be heavily involved in the BAR and W3R events this year. We should be hitting some 12 events this year. I am not sure if I will be making Ti as it conflicts with a personal event so we will see.

A lot of first time and unique one time events this year - Verplank, Southbury (a big 3 huge one), Lansing Manor, West Canada Creek, and Warwarsing.

The Pound Ridge reconnaisance is being done at the same site of the 225th White Plains. This event is in July. It will be something to see the place in summer. White Plains was like 35 degrees....

(4 Comments |Comment on this)

2006 Events for His Majesty’s 62d Regiment of Foot, Commanded by Major-General Valentine Jones, and in Captain George Marlay’s Company

March
18 BVMA annual membership meeting, location TBA (Eric and Matt)

April
8 Regimental Drill, location TBA
15 Battle Road, Minutemen NHP, Concord, MA

May
6-7 “War in Schoharie” (Lansing Manor), Blenheim, NY
13-14 British Army spring training, Saratoga NHP, NY
20-21 Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction, NY
27 Battle of Cooperstown, Farmer’s Museum, Cooperstown, NY

June
*17-18 “March to Victory,” Platt farm, Southbury, CT—British Brigade
24 Grand Encampment, F&I War, Fort Ticonderoga, NY (shopping only)

July
8-9 Battle of Hubbardton, Hubbardton, VT
*22-23 “Grand Forage,” Ward Pound Ridge, Cross River, NY—British Brigade

August
19-20 Fort Ontario SHS, Oswego, NY
26-27 Newtown war games, Elmira, NY

September
2-3 Assault on Fort Griswold, CT
9-10 Fort Ticonderoga Grand Encampment, Ticonderoga, NY
16-17 Battles of Saratoga American Encampment, Saratoga NHP (Americans only)
24 Harvest Festival, Knickerbocker mansion, Schagticoke, NY

October
7 Stone Fort Days, Schoharie, NY
20-22 Siege of Yorktown, Yorktown NHP, VA—British Brigade

(1 Comment |Comment on this)

Coat Lining
I'm making myself a wool 1760s civilian coat next month, and I'm wondering - what should I line it with? The wool itself isn't the thickest ever, so if possible, I'd like the lining to be somewhat warm as well, while still remaining accurate.

Any ideas?

Also, links to where I could purchase said fabric would be great.

Also - it's a black coat - what color should the lining be?

Current Mood: curious

(3 Comments |Comment on this)

Butler's Schedule - Official
April 19-30 BAR School of Instruction - New Windsor NY
May 6-7 "War in the Schoharie (just west of Albany) cl/bb/bvma - Giboa NY
May 20-21 - Firelock Matches Hurley NY
June 17-18 Southbury CT - "Big 3 Event"!! 1,000-1500 troops expected
July 1-2 Ridgefield CT BAR 800-1000 troops expected
July 22-23 Pound Ridge NY BB/BAR "Grand Reconaissance"
August 12-13 - Raid on Warwarsing BAR sponsored Butler Ranger actual even - Warwarsing NY...near Kingston
August 26-27 Verplank NY - Butler's was one of the crown forces asked to go BAR/W3R event
Week after Labor Day September - Fort Ti
9/30-Oct 1 - West Canada Creek NY BVMA - 225th of Walter Butler's death
October 18-22 YORKTOWN 225h - 4,000-5,000 troops expected
October 18-19 Fort Lee NJ - BAR

Great schedule for me, most events are within 90 minutes from my house of Kristin's... easy drives from NY metro area and Hudson Valley.

(Comment on this)

Yorktown
I am wondering if we get 15 people from the list going to Yorktown we can have a decent get together, especially since many of us will be there for a few days.

I look forward to seeing a bunch of you this upcoming year. With the events in Connecticut and Hudson Valley, I bet there will be chances to see many of you. Of course i will see the usual Ft Ti crew at that event also.

(5 Comments |Comment on this)

June 17-18
The event at Southbury Connecticut is taking a turn for the huge. This event was originally going to be a town sponsored event with the BAR as the organizer and host. Well the event has attracted attention from outside the BAR..how much you ask? The event is now looking like it will be a fully sponsored "Big Three" event...that means the British Brigade, Continental Line and the BAR will all be sponsoring...this means a huge event with well over 1,000 participants for sure. awesome. So much for this just being a prelude to Ridgefield...which is a BAR only event that is expecting about 800 troops.

Expect May 6-7 to be a big event also as the CL/BB have dropped their later month event to sponsor an event near Albany with the BVMA. Making that a Big Two with a small three assist".

There will be no BVMA event October 6 and 7. They are just doing the Sept 30-Oct 1 event now as a sponsored event.

October will pretty much be just Yorktown. I will also hope to attend one of the market fairs this year...they have been tough to get to.

(Comment on this)

Restarting the hobby, with a concern...
Okay, so I'm curious about something...

I used to participate in French and Indian War era reenacting from age 12-18 when I was younger. I'm female, though I portrayed a young son in a large family (my family doesn't reenact, it was some friends of ours) at a fort in Louisiana.

I really enjoyed reenacting, and have all my own gear: tent, cooking supplies, clothes, etc, and I'd like to get back into the hobby now that I'm 22 and in college in Massachuetts, only, I'd like to continue playing a male role. I'd like to know, though: How much resistance should I expect from others, as a woman playing a man?

I never got much resistance from the group I was with before, but I've been told that I might face at least some confusion and/or resistance from others in the field when I try and rejoin the rather male-centric ranks of the F&I and/or revolutionary war world.

Current Mood: curious

(30 Comments |Comment on this)

Our unit
Our unit's Batallian (not our specific company though) commanger wrote this song himself about our unit The Butlers Rangers

A Visit To You!
The rebels’ day has come at last!
Revenge was mine—But how? You ask;
To take back what was mine, alas,
I joined up with the Rangers.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

John Butler he did say to thee:
“They’re holding pris’ner me family.
Put the bastards to their knee
Down in the Mohawk Valley.”

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

We paddled hard, we paddled long,
And all the time we sang this song.
We’ll be paying a visit to you!
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

We marched all day, we marched all night,
With eagerness we want to fight.
Our hearts are filled with warrior’s might,
For God, King, and country.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

Their soldiers they were big and strong.
We fought with them all day long.
We broke them and the chase was on,
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

For days we fought, for days we sang,
As fires – burnt and – church – bells – rang.
Washington – will – beg – for – the – ease
Of the Rangers in the Valley.

Too rah loo rah loo rah loo!
We’ll cut them down two by two.
And we’ll return with scalps for you
From down in the Mohawk Valley.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

Now – rebel – boys, – now – you – beware,
‘Cause – Butler’s Rangers – are everywhere.
And we’ll be paying a visit to you!
Down in the Mohawk Valley.

Too rah loo rah loo rah loo!
We’ll cut them down two by two.
And we’ll return with scalps for you
From down in the Mohawk Valley.

Coats of green, damn fierce and mean.
Those blue-eyed savages! Men did scream
For mercy—there was none to be seen
Down – in – the – Mohawk – Valley.


© 1996 Capt. & Mrs. S. Paterson, Butler’s Rangers, McDonnell’s Company

(1 Comment |Comment on this)