Reenactment & Reenactors - Revolutionary War

Category: Reenactment & Reenactors -- See latest Revolutionary War news here.

Author uses re-enacting as mode of novel research
Lots of fiction writers do research, particularly when they're writing about the past. Suzanne Williams (who writes as Suzanne Adair) went even further: She basically enlisted, in His Majesty's forces. She has been a Revolutionary War re-enactor for almost a decade, with the 33rd Light Company of Foot, an Atlanta-based re-creation of a colonial British unit. She also writes about the re-enactments in her personal blog. Suzanne is the author of a series of Revolutionary War novels: Paper Woman (2006) and The Blacksmith's Daughter (2007). A third novel in the series, Camp Follower, will be published in 2008.
by starnewsonline.com :: 2008-08-10 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

War games: Old Sturbridge Village hosts 'Redcoats to Rebels'
Wearing the uniforms of the Lexington Training Band and Royal Irish Artillery, Alex Cain and Paul O'Shaughnessy will join 800 military re-enactors who'll transform Old Sturbridge Village into a Revolutionary War-era camp. "I hope... people understand how wars were fought in 1776 and have always been fought." For the sixth year "Redcoats to Rebels" will bring together about 40 re-enactment groups to demonstrate the Colonial-era America. O'Shaughnessy explained the British faced the same logistical problems in North America that U.S. forces 200 years later faced in Vietnam: "Getting caught in the middle of a civil war that was very unpopular back home."
by dailynewstranscript.com :: 2008-08-03 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Revolutionary re-enactors - Getting a break from the modern world
The sound of cannon and musket fire rang out at Fort Taber Park as Revolutionary War re-enactors performed drills. The United Train of Artillery of Rhode Island, with the Rehoboth Minutemen, carried out the type of drills used by revolutionaries over 200 years ago. The United Train of Artillery was created in 1774 as the Artillery Company of Providence. A year later, it was reorganised into the United Companies of the Train of Artillery in the Town of Providence, and it fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Volunteers reestablished the organization in 1995.
by southcoasttoday :: 2008-05-13 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

British re-enactors occupy 'America'
Rain didn't stop the colonial afternoon at Washington Crossing Historic Park, historical re-enactors just had to limit outdoor activities. Visitors still got a sample of British troop life. Re-enactor Lou Lustenberger, a British soldier of the 22nd Regiment of Foot, said he enjoys learning about the lives of the soldiers. He and his colleagues carried replicas of 18th-century heavy goatskin packs and wore the red coats of the British troops. The re-enactors planned to show a weapons drill, but flint-lock rifles that rely on a spark to set off gunpowder don't work in wet weather.
by phillyburbs :: 2008-03-26 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

The End Zone Militia: a group of Revolutionary War reenactors
Revolutionary War reenactor Charlie Walsh takes part in battles and small skirmishes around the Colonies as a member of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment reenactment group. The key rule of reenacting is authenticity. Every item the soldiers wear or carry are replicas of the original gear used during the American Revolution. Walsh made his leather cartridge box with traditional techniques, and his musket is a replica of the Brown Bess, a British weapon common during the war. The replica muskets are real guns, and though not loaded with lead, the weapons could still be dangerous. Reenactments are often narrated by historians, and the clashes may follow a loose script.
by projo :: 2008-01-31 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Valley Forge Revolutionary War demonstration draws history buffs
Valley Forge National Historical Park: live historical Revolutionary War demonstrations were held including re-enactments of artillery and musket salutes. Living-history demonstrations commemorated the 229th anniversary of the French alliance, showing visitors first-hand the trials of the historic Revolutionary War times. Visitors were invited to enter a simulated colonial-era military encampment, where they learned from living historians about their experiences at Valley Forge and the meaning of the French alliance to the American Revolution. General Washington and General Lafayette interpreters were on hand in the visitor's center.
by zwire :: 2007-05-18 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

2-day Revolutionary War militia encampment honors 16yo heroine
Muskets fired, orders were shouted, and hundreds learned about the Revolutionary War period from a 2-day militia encampment along Lake Gleneida. Aaron Barnett, 14, lined up his band of soldiers: "I was the only redcoat here overnight. I like history, it is fascinating. It is fun to re-enact what people have done and make it real for others. This is history, our history." The event celebrated the 230th anniversary of the heroism of Paul Revere, Sybil Ludington. A statue of the 16yo horsewoman stands at the lake's shoreline. She began a 40-mile nighttime ride April 26, 1777 alerting those living in the countryside that British soldiers had burned Danbury.
by nyjournalnews :: 2007-05-01 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

See Revolutionary War soldiers at the New Windsor Cantonment
The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site will host a day of Revolutionary War military activities April 28, presented by the Brigade of the American Revolution - dedicated recreating the times of the Independence War, 1775-1783. The soldiers will set up tents, perform military drills, Uniformed soldiers will fire muskets and maneuver. Visitors will also see campfollowers - women who traveled with the armies. Green-coated Loyalists, blue coated German mercenaries (Hessians), and British regulars in red stand to defend the interests of the King. Among the Patriot forces, you will find Continentals, like the Light Infantry, dressed in blue coats.
by strausnews :: 2007-04-22 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Revolutionary beginning - Patriots and redcoats do battle in Lexingto
Before dawn on Patriot's Day, Graeme Marsden of Quincy will shoulder his 18th-century bayonet musket and fire at the militia gathered on Lexington Green. 4 hours later, he'll attack again at North Bridge in Concord, where the redcoats will suffer their first casualties in the Revolutionary War. "We are an awesome sight," said Marsden, a redcoat who will re-enact events at Minute Man National Historic Park. "The patriots were indeed courageous people to stand up against the might of the redcoats. If you imagine the government forces nowadays coming down your street with tanks and infantry men, you realize they were quite something to put themselves in that situation."
by southofboston :: 2007-04-13 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Revolutionary War and life lessons at Buckman Tavern
Buckman Tavern is near many reminders of the 1775 skirmish between colonial militia and British troops that helped start the Revolutionary War - the bell that rang an alarm, a statue commemorating the Minutemen. The tavern is most famous for being a gathering place for the local militia before the Battle of Lexington. When 700 British soldiers marched into Lexington, 77 local men met them outside Buckman Tavern. Being outnumbered, the men merely wanted to make a point, but a shot was fired, chaos broke out and the Revolution began. 8 members of the militia died during their retreat. But the tavern is more than just an old pub with a military past...
by usatoday :: 2007-04-06 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

History's myths - Molly Pitcher
A rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike is named Molly Pitcher, but did she really exist? Historical interpreter Stacy Roth answered that question in a re-creation of Molly's life based on research, story-telling and what she calls "plausible conjecture." Roth sorted fact from fiction during "Over Here, Molly Pitcher," a Women's History Month event at Peachfield Plantation, a colonial farmhouse operated by the New Jersey chapter of the Colonial Dames. Based on research by historians and authors, Roth believes Molly was probably Mary Hays McCauley, a Revolutionary War camp follower and heroine who assisted her husband's artillery unit at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.
by - :: 2007-03-11 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Fort Taber museum to host re-enactment
Donald Moss jokes that his passion for the Fort Taber Military Museum "is not a hobby. It's an obsession." In the dead of winter, he is already planning for mid-August when about 400 people descend on Fort Taber for a Revolutionary War re-enactment. The event is open to the public. Others who want to take part in the re-enactment can contact the Fort Taber Museum. The military museum, located in Fort Taber Park, has been open since August 2004. It is home to memorabilia ranging from the Revolutionary War to current era. There are uniforms, photographs and video material on display.
by southcoasttoday :: 2007-01-30 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

American Revolutionary War to come alive at mini-Chatauquas
Generals, frontiersmen, explorers and two women who had history thrust upon them will all be at Mount Vernon this year. Those characters will be part of the series, "Spend an Evening With ...," kicking off Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. with George Washington. Ken Hammontree will portray Washington during the harsh winter at Valley Forge in 1777. "I will portray Gen. George Washington in his early 50s. Basically, I'll give the audience a detailed account of the survival of the Continental Army. ... There were many other generals who felt Washington was incompetent and some in the Continental Congress who felt the same way."
by mountvernonnews :: 2007-01-25 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Williamsburg's re-creations offer authentic look at Colonial era
They stirred the blood and warmed the chill of the mid-Dec evening, this neat phalanx of men tooting fifes and banging drums as they paraded along the town's dark street lit only by blazing torches that crackled in the breeze. Behind me, mounting the steps of a Colonial, red-brick building, a dozen carolers prepared to lead assembled citizens in songs of the season. Candles in every window of the 18th-century structure provided festive twinkle. Making new memories of history - it's Kodak moments like this that make Colonial Williamsburg one of the most photographed places in the US.
by post-gazette :: 2007-01-23 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

The Battle on the Ridge - Revolutionary War re-enactments
Visitors will travel back in time more than 200 years as they witness Revolutionary War battles, listen to 18th century music and learn about life as a soldier. Throughout the weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to witness artillery shows, walk through British, Continental and civilian camps. A show will highlight period dress of infants all the way to the elderly, as well as uniforms of the British and Continental armies. Nearly 130 volunteers who make up 12 to 14 units from the Northwest Territory Alliance will come from throughout the Midwest to participate.
by nwitimes :: 2006-08-20 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Re-enactors portray black patriots of the Revolutionary War
General George Washington. The Marquis de Lafayette. Hannah Till. All 3 figures contributed to the American colonies' victory over Britain. But the story of Till, a slave who cooked for Washington and his troops during the grueling winter at Valley Forge, has gone untold, until now. Every Saturday through Aug. 19, re-enactors will bring the stories of Till and other black colonials to life at the Valley Forge - the site of the Colonials' 1777-78 winter encampment. Severe cold and poor resources led to the death of nearly one-fifth of the men. 5,000 soldiers of African descent served in Washington's army, making it the most integrated US military until Truman desegregated the services after WWII.
by philly :: 2006-07-14 :: Reenactment & Reenactors

Revolutionary War News is an edited review of hand-picked news and articles related to American War of Independence 1775-1783.