| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Edmund McKinnon |
Posted - September 15 2002 : 10:41:13 PM
Dear Friends,on Sept.14,2002 we recently celebrated the 244th anniversary of the "Battle of Grant's Hill".It was the second major engagement involving Highlanders in the service of the British Crown in North America in 1758(the first involved "The BlackWatch" at Ft.Ticonderoga several months prior).A sideshow of the Forbes Campaign,it was only supposed to be a reconnaisance of Ft.Duquesne to check the French allied-indians who were harassing the British forces at Ft.Ligonier some 50 miles distant.When Major James Grant of the 77th thought that the stillness of the post meant that it was understrength,he decided to attack,in violation of his orders and suffered 270 casualties out of 800 in his force.Grant was also captured,and spent the next year as a p.o.w. in Quebec He did come back as a General during the RevWar to battle against George Washington on Long Island.We are currently filming a documetary"George Washington's First War:The Battle for Ft.Duquesne".This is the first time that "The Battle of Grant's Hill"will be on film.Check it out at:www.paladincom.com EM
Edmond N.Highlander Jr. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Highlander |
Posted - May 20 2003 : 04:53:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 60thGrenadier
quote:
Originally posted by Sgt.Reynolds
I've just learned that when "George Washington's First War:The Battles for Fort Duquesne"premieres on May 21,2003,it will be the first time that this battle will appear on film. www.paladincom.com
Don't forget us Sarge,we took some hits there too such as John Billings & Mr.Rohr
Aye' but it was the highlanders & Virginians who took the Lion's share of casualties that day
God Save The King
|
| Sgt.Reynolds |
Posted - May 19 2003 : 12:19:01 AM
Glad to see that I'm not late here.I think that Major Grant would not have gotten his drubbing if he would have had some rangers with him like General Braddock did and Col.Henry Bouquet at Bushy Run. |
| 60thGrenadier |
Posted - May 18 2003 : 01:50:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Sgt.Reynolds
I've just learned that when "George Washington's First War:The Battles for Fort Duquesne"premieres on May 21,2003,it will be the first time that this battle will appear on film.www.paladincom.com
Don't forget us Sarge,we took some hits there too such as John Billings & Mr.Rohr
God Save The King |
| Sgt.Reynolds |
Posted - May 16 2003 : 11:04:08 PM
I've just learned that when "George Washington's First War:The Battles for Fort Duquesne"premieres on May 21,2003,it will be the first time that this battle will appear on film.www.paladincom.com |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 28 2003 : 12:41:23 AM
I know these words you speak of brother,I attended the Market Faire last year for the first time. while I was with the 77th.If it makes you feel any better,"The Virginian"is with the NPS but was run out of Ft.Necessity and was dumped on Ft.Pitt/Bushy Run as part of an NPS/P.H.M.C exchange program.He doesn't know too much about history(for example,he didn't know that "The Battle of Grant's Hill" took place at the point) but he can tell you anything you want to know about high school football scores |
| Big Duncan MacLaren |
Posted - February 27 2003 : 12:49:20 PM
Esteemed Sir:
If you think the PA park authorities are bad, try dealing with the MD park authorities who have just about driven Ft. Frederick off the reenactor's radar. Ask anyone connected with the several companies of "Maryland Forces," or anyone who went to last year's Market Faire.
And then there is the NPS -- which long ago stopped employing anyone with any historical knowledge or sensibility. Today's NPS "Rangers" are nothing but janitors with fancy hats.
Your Servant,
Jeffrey Edmunds
(Former NPS Seasonal Historian, Fredericksburg & Spotsylania NMP) |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 10:14:06 PM
Yes,but when you consider that it was the so-called "authorities" who caused the unfortunate accident, I think that the reenctors/public need to be protected from them,not the other way around.Pennsylvania is not New York,where the state actually preserves their historic sites because they realize that this is a vital source of tourist dollars and have reenactors(or "living historians") on staff.The Commonwealth of Pa.through their "Historic & Museum Commission"employs the biggest group of morons & miscreants that it has ever been my sorry misforune to meet. Definitely a sordid cast of characters.It is a low budget operation if I ever saw one,but hey,you get what you get. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 08:13:48 AM
It is unfortunate that one isolated, accidental incident can cause a "blanket" rule change effecting everyone, isn't it? On the other hand... if someone was injured, I can see how authorities would want to protect others from the something that would probably happen again, at some point in time. There is, of course, the liability issue to consider. No one wants a lawsuit coming down on their heads, especially a public, historic place that is fighting to get money to stay open as it is.
I'm not taking sides here... just putting forth thoughts. It is too bad. Thanks for answering my question. Good luck! |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 05:49:04 AM
This refers to a bone-headed beauracrat who seeks to throw his weight around because another beauracrat permitted an inexperienced person o accidently shoot a musket with a ramrod in it causing an injury.All reenactors must be penalized you see,even though none were involved in said accident.It is stupid rules like these at Pennsylvania sites that will cause mature adults who are reenactors to boycott.Yes,the "Virginian"said that he will try to collect ramrods this year |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 25 2003 : 08:12:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Highlander
But be advised,"The Virginian" will be collecting ramrods
OK. I just have to ask. What does that mean? I have heard that sometimes reenactors (and probably real soldiers way back then) inadvertantly leave the ramrod in the barrel of the musket, thus turning it into a spear-like projectile when the musket is fired. Is that what you meant? Does he really, literally collect them?? |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 25 2003 : 03:42:28 AM
That sounds good,a wee bit o' tipple.I shall see you at Bushy Run.But be advised,"The Virginian"will be collecting ramrods |
| Big Duncan MacLaren |
Posted - February 18 2003 : 11:52:24 PM
Esteemed "Highlander":
I agree (obviously) that more could and should be done to restore to public consciousness the Battle of Grant's Hill.
I don't believe that I have ever had the pleasure... I took the liberty of looking over your unit's website ("Blockhouse Muskets"-- I like that!) but did not see a schedule of events for 2003. You can see my unit's schedule by tracking down "Muskets of the Crown" via any good search engine.
I am sure that our paths will cross. (Bushy Run, at the very least...?!) And when our paths do cross, I would be honored if you would share a drop of the water o' life with this fellow Scot. Let us conspire together to see what we might do.
If not us, then who?
I have the honor to be, and etc.,
Big Duncan MacLaren
Pvt., "Muskets of the Crown"
Grenadiers Coy., 77th Foot (F&I); 42nd RHR (RevWar) |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 17 2003 : 6:26:27 PM
Nothing is done to remember this event.The State employees at the Fort Pitt Museum simply do not care (gotta get me one of those State jobs one day,but being that I have an interest in history,I'll probably be disqualified).The current Site Administrator(aka the "Virginian")hates guns or anything military,so go figure.
I believe that this event should beremembered.If you know of anyone who is interested,let me know. |
| Big Duncan MacLaren |
Posted - February 16 2003 : 10:32:44 AM
Esteemed Liste:
Snow is falling heavily upon the hillsides of central Virginia. (Dosen't look much like Dixie today!)And enforced idleness has driven me to the keyboard.
Q: is there anything done up 'round Ft. Pitt to commemorate Grant's Defeat with some sort of reenactment or tactical demonstration?
It would seem to me that the potential exists for a memorable event -- and I suspect that everyone who trots out to the annual Bushy Run bash would participate enthusiastically.
Your Servant,
D. Maclaren, Pvt.
Grenadier Coy., 77th Foot |
| Highlander |
Posted - February 08 2003 : 03:58:22 AM
The Allegheny County Courthouse now stands where the hill once was.The front doors are where the basement used to be.The same goes for the Frick Bldg. across the street and would have extended to where Kaufman's Dept.Store adjoins it(one of Maj.Grant's Highlanders is said to haunt the 10th floor where the hill would have been).Hogg's Pond would have been right after Kaufman's and flowed into the Monongahela River.This is around one half mile to the Point where Capt.MacDonald's Coy.would have marched almost to the gates of Ft.Duquesne and fought a small European style battle in the open terrain(in ranks and close order using volley-fire)until they were forced to withdraw.
There is nothing in the Ft.Pitt Museum to let one know that a battle took place here.There is a DAR plaque on the side of the Courthouse that gives a brief account of the battle and a mural painted on a wall inside.It is my goal to get a blue P.H.M.C historic marker out front eventually,much like there is one to mark Capt.Bullet's 1759 Defeat outside of Ligonier. |
| Big Duncan MacLaren |
Posted - November 29 2002 : 4:42:26 PM
Esteemed Liste:
I assume that the actual site of Grant's Defeat has been as thoroughly obliterated as the site of Braddock's defeat.
Is it even possible to identify the site today?
Your Servant,
D. MacLaren, Pvt.
Grenadier Coy., 77th Regiment |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - October 30 2002 : 7:46:33 PM
Aye Captain, I'll be sure the boys will be ready for you, upon your arrival at Ft. Bedford this weekend. This time we'll have Pte. "Big Ian" Mac Intyre to lead the company in song...
...And its all for me grog,
me jolly, jolly grog
all gone fore beer and tobacco,
for I spent all me tin,
with the lassies drinkin' gin
across the western ocean, I must wander
And I'm sick in me head
and I 'aven't been to bed
since I first came to shore with me plunder,
for I spent all me loot
in the house of ill repute,
and I think I'm going back again tommorow
and its all for me grog,
me jolly, jolly grog...
Your Humble Servant,
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
| Edmund McKinnon |
Posted - October 30 2002 : 12:29:53 PM
Yes,I thought it was in there and I know I've seen it in print.I'll keep checking on my end.EM
Capt.John Graham
Cmdr.42nd Highlanders |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - October 30 2002 : 02:41:20 AM
I checked "Ft. Ligonier and It's Times", and it was a 'no-joy' result. I'll peruse "The Papers of Edmound Highlander" in the A.M., I'm sure I'll find it there.
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
| Edmund McKinnon |
Posted - October 30 2002 : 01:37:05 AM
I believe that "Ft.Ligonier and its Times"covers it.When I first saw it,it was off a webpage that mentions the battle as well as casualty figures for officers & nco's of the 77th.Check the handouts that I sent out with my brother,you may already have it.EM
Capt.John Graham
Cmdr.42nd Highlanders |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - October 29 2002 : 04:47:51 AM
Captain, I believe you made mention once of an order, during that battle, for the men to remove their regimentals in order to better use their broadswords. Where was that recorded? I cannot locate it within the Vogler Library (And you know how extensive that is!!!).
Your Humble Servant,
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
| Edmund McKinnon |
Posted - October 27 2002 : 8:55:39 PM
There is a lot that can be learned from this battle,as many military types consider it a classic example of small unit tactics,and is still studied today.Once we bring it to the silver screen in "George Washington's First War:The Battle for Ft.Duquesne"using computer generated graphics(much as was done for Braddock's Defeat in When the Forest Ran Red)it will be better illustrated.Check it out at:www.paladincom.com EM
Capt.John Graham
Cmdr.42nd Highlanders |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - October 21 2002 : 10:47:56 PM
Right Captain, but let us now enjoy the fruits of our labors. After we get a good workout at Doc's this weekend, we can then look forward to a good season closer at OBV....
... Oh, I wish I was a gunner,
Aboard that Man-O-War...
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
| Edmund McKinnon |
Posted - October 21 2002 : 6:40:06 PM
And what a good weekend it was We got some things accomplished and have established ourselves as a new unit(much like Rich Baker and his Virginians).The 77th was a useful vehicle to get us to the movie(and Grant's Hill).Now the next one will get us to Bushy Run as the RHR.
Capt.John Graham
Cmdr.42nd Highlanders |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - October 09 2002 : 09:14:07 AM
Aye sir, and here's to a good weekend at Loyalhanna....
...And its all for me grog,
me jolly, jolly grog,
all gone for beer and tobacco...
Sgt. Duncan Munro
Capt. Graham's Coy
1/42nd Royal Highlanders
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" |
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