| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Many Flags |
Posted - December 24 2007 : 09:17:57 AM
Rich's Christmas greetings made me decide to post a bit this morning. Almost 8 years ago the Chronicles were born after I had been on a several day hunt with my "cousin" Seamus (Mike Slease). I had run across the Mohicanland site and on a lark posted a story of Many Flags as he dressed early one morning in clout, mocs and leggins to leave Seamus's cabin. This led to Seamus and I writing our fictional stories of the year 1758 and 1759 tying them into the Forbes Expedition, one of the most exciting treks of the French and Indian War, across Pennsylvania with the 77th Reg't of Foote with characters of myself, Seamus, brother Three Tales, cousins Corporal Malcolm MacWilliam (later Sjt.), his brother Pvt. Davey Gunn. Uncle Quasi, Uncle Angus, Sign Talker, etc. Thus was born Chronicles I, which we tied into the details of the Bouquet papers; Chrons I ending on April 22 and Chrons II beginning on June 5. Whereas Chrons I was a lot of fun and set the stage for all the characters, Chrons II became intense as it followed almost daily the correct details that are found in Bouquet's writings (Henri Bouquet being 2nd in command under Forbes). New characters were introduced, Red Leaf the savage stalked the lads and the it ends on Oct. 24 with the aftermath of the battle of Ligonier, Seamus disappearing after he takes a ball to his head (amber liquid time!!); Chrons II ends on a somber note. But, the writing did not end, we lads jumped right into Chrons III on Nov. 1 (the Hodgepodge!, mostly comic relief) and kept it going until Jun 4, 2001, when our creative juices dried up. The lads were all happily married, gone their separate ways but in the end, back together for one last campfire. We did start to write Chrons IV, the early years; and there are some good stories there, but we never could come to a conclusion, although we had ideas.
So, where are we now? Well, I am packed and ready to go up to hunt with Seamus (Mike Slease) and resurrect Many Flags. Most times I am Sjt. Major MacWilliam of the 77th and you can find the lads of the 77th Grenadiers in 2008 at the reenactments of Fort Ti, Fort Louisbourg, and Fort Ligonier. Accompanying us on the hunt in a few days will be (now) Captain Campbell (he was Sjt., then Lieut. during the Chronicles), and Pvt. MacDonald, a new lad we picked up about 4 years ago. Seamus (Mike Slease) as you know has had some illness this year but has beaten it royally and we often wonder if the fictional ball in his head and sickness during Chrons II and III was a premonition....but just like in the Chrons, he never let go and his dear Nancy nursed him back to health. Davey Gunn (Three Tales) is not much involved in our 18th century adventures, but he did come to the St. Andrew's banquet this year held at the Dill Tavern, a possible hangout for the 77th in 1758 when they were stationed in Carlisle. Sign Talker is not seen much either. I talk to him periodically but I have a suspicion he spends most of his time chasing Bristlebrush!! The 77th Grenadiers are doing very well, able to field 20 men in ranks on a good day, one of the larger F and I units, and we are a Highland unit. Uncle Quasi is still tickling the girls (and they tickle his hump!!), and once in a while there is a sighting of Uncle Angus and "mother ewe". As for myself: Dr. Uncle Mark/Many Flags/ Sjt. MacWm......well, I'm more involved than ever with the reenactment community and have 6 months until I retire. Bet you can't guess what I plan on doing even more than ever!!!???
A Happy Christmas to you all. Seamus and Many Flags still look back fondly on those days when we would hurry to the computer each morning to post a new adventure of the Chronicles on Mohicanland. I still have some copies of all three volumes and I a set packed to take along on the Hunt this week so we can share them with Pvt. MacDonald.
Pax Aye!! Many Flags of the Allemaengel |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 05 2008 : 9:46:58 PM
A Long-anticipated Reunion--part III
December 30, 1773
After greeting the new arrivals and all the exchanging of pleasantries of seeing each other again after so long, including some well-meaning ’insults’ the men moved inside the cabin and Seamus pointed out where the guests would be sleeping….Capt. Campbell and MacDonald would have the two beds in the loft, Many Flags, at his own suggestion, would sleep on the floor on his blanket roll in front of the fire and keep it in wood all night, so Seamus would not have to get out of his jack-bed in the corner next to the table to do that.
Flags, Capt. Campbell and MacDonald slung their rifles above the door and window on the slit-branch hangers mounted there, hung their coats, hunting bags, horns and belly boxes on the pegs driven into the wall below their guns, and stowed their other gear, retrieving their clay pipes, tabac and several bottles containing some rather interesting-looking liquids from the several sacks and blanket rolls they carried, which they sat on the blue grain-painted trestle table Seamus had crafted many years ago when he and Nancy set up housekeeping. Pulling out chairs, the happy group of old soldiers and woodsmen sat down to rest and visit, began the long process of catching up on times long gone since they had all last been together. All, that is, except for MacDonald, the young soldier who had enlisted in the 77th just a few weeks before the nasty attack by the French and their Indian allies on the fort at Loyalhanna, 12 October 1758, but was not present there for the fight. He had arrived a few days afterwards and was engaged in helping to repair damage to the fort, caring for the wounded and went with the Army to the forks of the Ohio and DuQuesne to route the French, who had decided not to wait for the inevitable British assault, but chose, instead, to blow up their fort and retreat back up the Allegheny River and on into New France. It was a wise decision on their part.
Many, including some scouts, had been wounded in repulsing the attackers, some mortally and would take days and weeks to die, and many of the braw lads of the 77th were killed outright.
The 77th was mustered out in ‘63 after Bushy Run, where ol‘ Pontiac’s boys got their tail feathers singed. Singed, Hell….they was burnt clean off and their butts blistered! MacDonald had been in the old 77th, but was mustered out after Bushy Run and had reenlisted in the 42nd and has returned to knock around the colonies and rekindle some friendships, most notably with Many Flags and Seamus. Capt. Campbell…..he was a Lieutenant in the 77th when we left after Forbes‘ Campaign, severely wounded at Loyalhanna……and now, retired from the King‘s service, he and MacDonald have both come back to knock around a bit.....visiting places and people where and with whom they had served.
Coffee was poured for all as they sat around the table, snacking on cheese and bread and sausage which Seamus had gotten out while the lads were stowing their gear, and began reminiscing. All being experienced with firelocks and the inherent dangers therein, they all understood that while there was light enough to shoot at game ( man or beast), spirituous libation was not to be consumed. THAT was reserved for candlelight and darkness, when no one might be influenced by the nature of the drink to make an error of judgment which might cause injury or the death of another. They all knew full-well that alcohol and gunpowder do not mix. They would be content to wait until after the sun set to warm their innards with the Port, Madeira and fine Scotch whiskey they had brought.
************************************************************************
Pipes were loaded with fine tobacco…brought by young MacDonald, who now was a successful Tobacco Merchant in Alexandria, Virginia….…and lit, filling the air in the small cabin with a delicious aroma, which mingling with the woodsmoke odor from the firepl |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 03 2008 : 07:33:40 AM
Port will work well for your malady, m'lady....and MUCH more palatable than Nyquil!
We did have copious quantities of Port this past weekend to help in washing down the Stilton which we also had.....with other sumptious treats which you will learn about in a few days.
God Save the King!! (How many times did I hear that last weekend!! T'is a wonderful Toast, it is!!!) |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - January 03 2008 : 06:47:48 AM
My apologies, Sir. I assumed, wrongly I see now, that the mysterious amber liquid was the Port that we regularly consume when the Regiment is together. That is what I meant. You have addicted me to the delightful flavor of Port, not Nyquil, which I never take. |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 03 2008 : 06:06:26 AM
The makeup of the mysterious amber liquid is just that----mysterious! It is a secret MacWilliam family recipe......and is intended for serious illness or injury, not head colds. Uncle Angus and Ewe Mother Ewe guard the recipe v-e-r-y closely. Only one other family member knows it, and I am not at liberty to divulge his name, nor even hint at it.
Nyquil is green, WW....I have told you that before, but you keep confusing them. NYQUIL is what you are addicted to! (You haven't been mixing Nyquil and Dayquil, which is red, and that would make it brown, but not amber, have you? .........Hmmmmmmmm........perhaps therein lies the problem.)
|
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 9:55:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Seamus
It is a healer of all ills.
Yes, and you quite have me "addicted" to it, dear Sir! I think perhaps I shall have a nip this evening before I take to my bed, for I have a touch of a head cold and it may help me to sleep. |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 8:51:06 PM
It is a healer of all ills. |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 8:18:48 PM
Uncle Quasi would know! |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 6:53:36 PM
"mysterious amber liquid" - now what could that possibly be??? ;) |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 6:39:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wilderness Woman
Ooooooo.... goodie! [WW claps her hands with delight] Good reading! And a little window for me into what you guys do up there, in that lovely little cabin which I have not yet seen but want to very much.
I was fascinated by that muzzleloading description, Seamus. I have, of course, seen all of you loading from a pre-rolled cartridge, without a musket ball. But I have not seen this. I should like to witness that some time.
Clapping hands??? I am under much medicinal influence to treat the aches and pains from turning flips and cartwheels (as I am no longer much of a dark-haired lass myself, but dangerous for me, the spirit still is )- I dare say I am in need of some mysterious amber liquid!!! |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 5:05:03 PM
Thanks, MoGuide and WW. I'm pleased that you are enjoying it. Stay tuned....more to follow as soon as I "get 'er done!"
Jump in anytime, Cuzzin! I have at least one more to do from our weekend...maybe two if I get long-winded (HUH? ME???)..... |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 4:22:58 PM
An interesting read indeed seamus. |
| Many Flags |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 2:10:08 PM
WW....it is a thing of beauty...Whereas loading a musket with cartridge is all about speed and uniformity in the ranks, loading a rifle has a beauty all its own. There are more steps, more equipment (patch, patch knife, powder measure, powder horn, etc.), just a neat flow to it all. My "telling tales" juices are beginning to flow!! Many Flags of the Allemaengel |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 1:10:32 PM
Ooooooo.... goodie! [WW claps her hands with delight] Good reading! And a little window for me into what you guys do up there, in that lovely little cabin which I have not yet seen but want to very much.
I was fascinated by that muzzleloading description, Seamus. I have, of course, seen all of you loading from a pre-rolled cartridge, without a musket ball. But I have not seen this. I should like to witness that some time. |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 02 2008 : 06:16:09 AM
Cuzzin Flags,
You KNOW I cannot tell it all! But, I will enthrall you!
|
| Many Flags |
Posted - January 01 2008 : 11:11:52 PM
Seamus......just like this past weekend.....can't wait to continue reading what we did!!
Your cuzzin......Many Flags |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 01 2008 : 4:57:52 PM
A Long-anticipated Reunion--part II
December 30, 1773
As the big doe nibbled at the sweet clover beneath the icy snow she had pawed away, she had lowered her head to bite off a mouthful and then, as she raised her head to look around for any danger which lurked, Seamus drew the low brass barleycorn-shaped front sight up into the shallow notch of the rear sight, just showing a bit of light gathered by the brass in the bottom of the ‘V’ cut with a small triangular file by Herr Martin, the Büchsenmacher, or Gun maker, in the village of Swengel. As the small bead of light settled just behind her shoulder, Seamus began to squeeze the trigger slowly, mentally dragging the front sight down the length of the barrel and through the rear sight notch. At the same instant, something beyond the doe, on the other side of her and away from Seamus, most likely ice falling from a tree limb, startled the old doe and she leapt forward about 10 feet and as her feet hit the ground again, the sharp report of Seamus’ rifle caused her to slam her head around and stare for a split-second at the direction this very loud noise had come from. She could clearly see the large cloud of white smoke which hung in the air, and the smaller horizontal plume of smoke ejected from the touch hole of his rifle at the same instant, extending about 12 feet to the side. A single circular smoke ring spun its way away from the gun and Seamus, and the animal was in high gear, white tail flag erect and waving as she covered the ground rapidly from there to safety in the denser woods. The distance was about sixty yards or more that she ran and leapt, and she covered it before the gnarled old hunter could blink, it seemed.
“Well,” he said to himself, “that is why it is called ‘hunting’ and not ‘killing’…..” Many years of living in the woods and hunting many different kinds of game had taught him that one does not always come home with meat, although the chance to do so was at hand. This was just one more time that reinforced to him that not every opportunity is fulfilled, and that there would be more. When the Red Gods smiled, he would be successful. He put his mind at ease knowing he had done nothing to cause the event, but that it was ‘one of those things’ that happen from time to time “Maybe the Creator was not done with her yet,” he decided. “But when He is, I will be here.” A deep sigh is all the frustration or disappointment he showed at this turn of luck.
Seamus reached into his pouch and got a square of flannel cut from some of the scraps Nancy had given him when she had finished a warm sleeping gown for her sister’s young daughter, Molly, for a Christmas gift. He stuck it into his mouth and wetted it, then ran it down the barrel once on each side and retrieved a second patch and ran it dry as he had done with the wet one. He took the wet one and carefully wiped the pan of his lock after setting the cock to half, then the frizzen and flint and dried all three with the tail of his linen hunting shirt which was badly stained from this routine for years.
Pulling the antler powder measure from his hunting bag and grasping his powder horn, he lifted the horn to his mouth and, biting on the plug, he wrenched it free and poured the measure full to the top, being careful not to overfill it and waste precious gun powder. He brought the horn back to his lips again and replaced the plug and lowered the horn to its place high on his side under his arm where it rode securely as he moved about the woods, all the while looking around for another target animal. Seeing none, he glanced down at the muzzle and the powder measure, he grasped the barrel high to form a makeshift funnel with his hand and carefully poured the gun powder into the barrel. Dropping the measure to hang on its thong for now, Seamus slid his weathered hand into the hunting bag and pulled out a small leather sack with a cow horn spout, drilled and split to allow a ball to roll do |
| Seamus |
Posted - January 01 2008 : 1:54:46 PM
Hey, you asked for it!
Please don't slobber on your keyboard...t'will remind me of my drool cup photo! |
| richfed |
Posted - January 01 2008 : 08:12:05 AM
Very creative, Mr. Seamus!!! Makes me salivate at the thought of more of these fine writings! |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - December 31 2007 : 01:15:33 AM
Then that's an added reason to make the trip! |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 11:35:28 PM
I'm glad to see you back at your quill, and on your feet, Seamus. I agree with Fitz, perhaps we can have another 'mini-gathering' at Ti, like we did in '05 at Braddock's.
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Seamus |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 9:13:19 PM
Hello, Fitz....yes I intend to be at Ticonderoga with my Pennsylvanians this year for the 250th. I hope to see you there! We MUST get together.....
I trust you had a good Christmas and my best and sincerest wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2008 are offered to you and your family. |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 8:53:29 PM
Then perhaps Seamus will be at Fort Carillon this June? I have not seen him since Braddock's Defeat two and a half years ago! |
| Many Flags |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 7:59:16 PM
Well, I will let you all know that Seamus and I relived those early Chronicles this past week as we did some hunting, but more talking, laughing, reminiscing, etc. Twas a good time and Seamus's post above gives a bit of hope that we may be able to use some of our writing skills to add a vew more stories to "Chronicles IV". More to come......Many Flags |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 1:56:48 PM
It is hard to believe it has been almost 8 years since a quaint little post titled "Morning Dress" was posted and a gift of characters entered Mohicanland and our hearts.
This morning's post gave me a chill remembering that first post and I felt a bit giddy when I saw the date on this post! And being a bit tearful, I am also very thankful a dear friend is entering the new year with the promise of better health!
GG |
| Seamus |
Posted - December 30 2007 : 09:37:09 AM
A Long-anticipated Reunion--part I
December 30, 1773
Christmas has come and gone, and the New Year comes tomorrow night, and the gnarled old Scout was anxiously awaiting the arrival of visitors. It had been eons since he had seen them and he was anxious to rekindle the flames of memories these men wrought. Goodwife Nancy, the formerly dark-haired lass, now grown silver with age, was away enjoying a long-overdue visit with her sister in New Jersey, was not due home for another week….if the weather would allow travel. Fortunately, it had moderated last week so she could get there safely and without delay. Snow had covered the forest here on the mountain, followed by moderating temperatures a few days later which brought rains, then got very cold again coating the woods with a crusty glaze which made footing treacherous for man and beast. As Seamus was returning home from escorting her downriver to Fort Hunter, where she had met a merchant’s supply train headed for Philadelphia and New Jersey for goods to restock his stores in the bustling cities of Harrisburg, Carlisle and Sunbury the snow had started again, but he was able to get back to the cabin on the mountain without mishap.
The Wagon Master had agreed to allow her to accompany the train for a small sum, which she and Seamus had offered, and Seamus had entrusted her care to him. After all, the Wagon Master, well-known to Seamus as an honourable and decent family man, he had carried military goods under contract for General Forbes in ‘58 when Seamus had scouted for the 77th Highlanders, Montgomerie’s, Grenadier Company on the DuQuesne Expedition along with his cousins Many Flags and Three Tales. It would be a long trip, but it would pass quickly for her, as she had met some other ladies who were also accompanying this train. He was pleased she would have companions to help while away the time.
Now it was about an hour before sunrise, and Seamus had arisen, added wood to the fire and placed his old blackened coffee pot on the hook and chain to boil and brew. Daylight was struggling to appear, as the clouds hung low. “I don’t like the looks of this,” he thought to himself. “It does not portend a good day. I wonder if we are getting more bad weather.”
After awhile, the coffee was done and he took his old mug, poured it full of steaming, wonderful-smelling black liquid, picked up a crust of bread from the pantry box it was kept in and went to the window….the only window…in the front of the small cabin and sat down on a tall stool which allowed him to see the entire yard and orchard. It was built this way for safety back when the marauding French-allied Indians were a problem in this area. This, and the rifle slits cut into the loft walls and back of the cabin gave him all the vision and field of fire he would need in the event of an attack.
As he sat by the window, watching his front yard and orchard for a deer to cross, so that he might make meat which was desperately needed, he reflected on his current situation.
The years had not been kind to Seamus after his youth and service to the King and now he daily “paid the Piper” for the hard living and frequent wounds and the physical abuse he had subjected his body to in that service. This year, which was about to come to a close tonight, was particularly rough for him, and truthfully, he was glad to see its passing. He had been quite ill….the Physician had called it “a cancer”….but had assured him it could be treated, and, while he would not die from it, he would die with it….”chronic” was the word he used. The doctor administered all sorts of concoctions which old Seamus had no idea what they might be, but he knew they debilitated him tremendously, reducing him to a mere shell of what he had been even a few years ago. Then, totally unrelated to his illness, the doctor discovered a tumor growing in his forehead, very near to the place where Seamus had received a musket ball in 1758 at th |
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