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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Seamus |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 11:27:48 AM
What a grand weekend it was at Old Bedford Village, here in PA, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the defeat of General Braddock at the Battle of the Monongehela! The event was complete with a river crossing, a woodland battle, LOTS of musketry, cannon fire, chaos, mounted troops and great weather. Over 700 registered reenactors put on a grand show, and daily admission numbers proved to set a record for OBV. Saturday, over 1100 daily admissions were purchased! It is impossible to describe all the fabulously dressed and equipped participants....British and Provincials, French and Natives, as well as common citizenry. The organizers are to be commended and congratulated for a marvelous job!! Huzzahs to you all!
A plus for me was the Mohicanland Mini-Gathering that took place there. Attending as reenactors were Fitz, BlueOtter, English Trader,Sgt. Munro, myself, and although I did not see him, I understand Young Native was there, too. Ens. MacMillan was also expected to arrive Saturday night, but had not yet arrived when we met.
As soon as ET gets the 'partial' group photo to me, or posts it herself, it will be on this Board. I particularly enjoyed meeting Rose and Fitz, and now it will mean more to me when I see them here, as I can put faces to them now, too.
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - July 26 2005 : 01:07:23 AM
The following was posted on the "F&I War Message Board".
Dear List,
I heartily cheer the British organizers of the 250th Anniversary of Braddock's Defeat. George Reilly, Steve Patarcity as well as Roger Kirwin and the staff of Old Bedford Village put together a fine event for all of us to remember.
The anniversary battle took place down in a in a flood plane next to the village. The audience sat in bleachers and had a great, up close view of the battle.
The regulars marched about 1/2 of a mile through a newly cleared road in the woods. The terrain was uneven with pot holes, hidden boulders and sapling tree stumps cut at 6" off the ground as if by a fast moving woodsman.
I had prepared for my duties as Commander of the British Regulars under Braddock, by reading about the battle in the Osprey Campaign Series Monongahela 1754-55. The book has terrain details and it amazing how the site played right into the actual layout of the approach to the area of engagement.
At a bend, just before the "Monongahela" (a 50' wide creek 18" deep at points), the column stopped as the Virginia Calvary checked ahead. In my mind, I remembered a similar bend before the actual crossing. Once across we came upon a dried wash in the road, much like the actual terrain. The column stalled and people crossing the river had to wait a few seconds in the water for the column to move on.
As we approached the area of engagement, the public could hear us talking about attacking Fort Duquesne and how we would rout them with our cannons and superior numbers. It was eerily quite.
We snaked the column toward the middle of the area, when we saw the French moving into position in front of the lead units. I called the Grenadiers to the front and flanked them with following units. Suddenly the whole column started to form a line of battle. We held some companies in reserve, thinking that we would dispose of this threat easily. But as the black powder smoke hung in the air, I could no longer see the enemy. I understood how the real combatants must have felt.
Ben Newton as General Braddock was placed on our right flank so the audience could see him. He looked the part and was a commanding figure.
The Canadians and Indians started to move down our flanks and the soldiers, pushed tight to each other, fired at a hidden enemy. Col Halkett (Steve Nuckles) tried to keep the men composed on the Left Flank, but the confusion was unsettling. We started taking casualties (hard to get folks to do because they were enjoying the battle). Soldiers were starting to improvise being frightened and tried to flee the battle. It was great that this happened because I had to move the troops and deal with deserters. These little bits added a bit of realism for the audience.
The cannons came forward and fired a couple of times. The audience really liked the boom of the cannon in the close atmosphere.
At this point the hand to hand combatants came forward, sought out their partners and had a well choreographed, safe, fight. Bob Metz had selected 20 hand to hand combatants and they worked choreography for a couple of hours in the morning. As a stage combat veteran, I was very happy to observe the work they were presenting.
By now Braddock had been hit and was hauled off in a horse cart, many of the officers were down and soldiers were fleeing. George Washington (Brian Cunning) was trying to stop the rout at the river crossing. Having finished our duties, the field commanders took hits and died. The Canadians and Indians were upon us with a great amount of "whooping" and took their scalps and loot.
The audience gave lots of "oos and ahs" during the battle and applauded mightily at the end.
As the evening came I heard many veteran reenactors say what a fun and enjoyable battle it was and some even said that is was one of the best they had participated in.
The village was alive with drumming and songs as well as wonderful food being cooked and shared |
| Seamus |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 9:07:58 PM
Here are a few images from the Defeat of Braddock:
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Delivering a sharp volley!!
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Trying to stem the panic!
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Some of the chaos.......
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Under siege.........
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An Indian and his dog. This was a great impression!
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The aftermath--French and Indians scavenging the dead.
These are just a few to give an idea of what it was like. It's hard to see a lot because of the size restrictions on the upload, but maybe you'll get an idea of the action.
Enjoy! |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 7:44:09 PM
At the officers meeting on Sunday morning Roger said there would be a 25 min. film made about the battle. It will probably be available this fall. I hope so. The only bad thing about the battle is that I didn't see it! I would like to have been able to do nothing but watch, well, not really, but I missed most of the action. We were on the left of the Milice. The Marines went out first, then the sauvage, then the Milice in order. So guess who was last. Then the sauvage stopped, and for us to get to the field we would have had to go in front of their firing line. Couldn't do that. Finally we managed to get behind them, and then my firing partner's gun stopped sparking and I had to help him with it. But while we were waiting for the sauvage to move, I looked toward the center of the British line and I could see a line of red coats with yellow facings through the smoke and brush. They were standing in perfect order firing volleys. It must have looked like that 250 years ago. Makes you think.
I made up for it Sunday. Formed up on the far left again, and Bruce changed the order of march, so I, who only understands very, very basic French, ended up in the lead of the entire column. The most fun I ever had! |
| Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 7:01:03 PM
Sjt. Munro....twill be a fine day to see ye at Bushy Run. Sorry I missed OBV.....Cousin Flags was thinking of trying to make it, but relations visiting the homestead that same weekend became very important. See you soon. Pax Aye! SM Malcolm |
| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 3:49:39 PM
I am very sorry that I missed the mini gathering. I was headed in that direction when I saw that the presentation by Stephen Brumwell had started, and I thought that the gathering would be a little later. Brumwell was good, but I hate that I missed seeing the Trader and Blue Otter. I went by the camps on Sunday morning, but they were empty. And I only saw the Thursday posts on the board about OBV for the first time today. I arrived at OBV on Thursday afternoon so that I had a day to relax. I thought about going into Pittsburg to see the exhibit at the Heinz museum, but I was a little too tired at that point. OBV is really a great place and you are lucky to have something like that so close. And the reenactors were great. All the units camped around me invited me over for food, drink, and BS. And the singing at the camp of the sauvage on Saturday night was not to be missed. This was definitely the best event I have attended. Charleston was good, but OBV was special. And it was F&I, not Rev War! I plan to make the trip again. I can't do this more than about once a year. It was a 9 hour drive. But with the 250th going on for the next 5 or so years, there are events I don't want to miss. I tried to make a few contacts among le Francais and be on my best behavior (which ain't much), because when I do go north again, I will probably be by myself, and will need a unit to fall in with. I don't think that will be a problem.
I wish that some of the people in this area would see what they are missing and get involved with F&I. We could field a great unit. |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 3:21:22 PM
You are so mean, Seamus!!!!!
<sitting at desk with great big BooBoo lip>
What a nice pic of the 4 of you - Bless your heart for sharing with us!!!!!
GG |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 2:26:43 PM
Nice photo, too bad we didn't get Fitz in there as well.
quote:
Gadget Girl said: I still look forward to meeting Rose AND SGT. MUNRO someday!!!! And as always would love to see any and all of you MacWilliam Boys again!
As do I, GG. Hopefully, I will be able to make the next Gathering. If not, perhaps at a 'mini-gathering' as this one. I also see that RSM MacWilliam and his cousin, Many Flags are back from an extra-long campaign. I do look forward to seeing the Sergeant-Major at Bushy Run in a few weeks, so as to swap tales and tip a few...
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Seamus |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 1:22:46 PM
OK----here it is...........
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(l-r: English Trader, Seamus, Sgt. Munro, Blue Otter)
Sorry, Fitz, that we didn't get a photo of you.....we'll have to get one another time.
Good-looking group, eh??? (Eat yer heart out GG!!) Heheheheheh! Hey--let me know about September as soon as you can, OK?
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| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 12:11:52 PM
Seamus, you are truly on the mark, it was a very grand weekend. The battles, and other side-events, truly marked this as one of the highpoints of my reenacting season. Roger Kirwin, George Reilly, Steve Patarcity, Bob Metz, and all of the guys who worked on this project for the last seven months, really put together the ultimate 'Braddock Experience'. As special salute goes to the 700-plus men, women and wee-folks, who made the trek and put on their best impressions. They are what makes this a very special hobby indeed.
Many, many thanks for the gift of the sweet Port. Lady Munro and I enjoyed it very much. She was so happy to see her "Blue-eyed frontier warrior" again, and I did give her the peck on the cheek as requested (From which she swooned, and was as happy with as the Port).
Unfortunately, becuause of duties at home, Ensign MacMillan (42ndNCO) was unable to attend, and believe me, he was missed by all. Young Native was feeling under the weather and could not attend; however his native father, and my adopted brother, Welethetowaco was there (He played the role of Chief Shingas of the Deleware). It was nice to be able to share a few drinks and laughs with him as well, since as he put it, "Brother, with those pants on, you do not run as fast as you do in your petticoats."
Captain Poulharie of the Royal Rousillon Grenadier Company, sent a nice missive to Captain Patarcity of the rangers. In it, he had the usual complaints of squatters dressed in clothes, the color of unrippened tomatoes (Refering to the green regimentals worn by Steve's rangers), intruding upon the land of his master King Louis XV. He also mentioned that it pleased him to see the men of His Majesty's Royal Highland Regiment, especial since they opted not to wear their 'petticoats' and 'stays'. This is the usual ribbing between our three groups, whenever an event has the misfortune to have all of or units together in attendance...
Fitz, it was finally nice to meet you in person. After our libations and chat, I have even a higher opinion of you than previous (And believe me, it was a pretty high opinion before as well). You are truly a great guy to know, and you are always welcome at my Sergeant's Mess.
Rose, it was wonderful to see you as well, lassie. You looked lovely as ever, and as always, you are a pleasure to chat with. I also enjoyed finally meeting the renown 'English Trader'(aka Pte. Chauncy Goodrich), and if you ever get tired of cooking, you know that I always make extra victuals for unexpected guests to our company street (And you also know that I do dishes as well ). That invite goes to any of you guys who ever stop by around 'Roast Beef' call.
Special kudos to Fitz and ET for making the extra long trek to this event. You guys obviously are as passionate about history as I am. As I said before, it was a wonderful weekend, but you guys made it special...
Your Most Humble Servant,
The Sarge |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - July 25 2005 : 12:02:17 PM
That's RIGHT!!! Go Ahead - rub it in!!!
I didn't know you hadn't met dear Fitz, Mikey! He is a grand big-hearted fellow and has been a big part of our Southern Mohican Gatherings as a liaison to the French Broads. Glad you two got to meet!
I still look forward to meeting Rose AND SGT. MUNRO someday!!!! And as always would love to see any and all of you MacWilliam Boys again! I hear there is a wee group headed your way the end of September - will talk to you more about that later!
I would love to go to OBV someday - Sounds Terrific!! |
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