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Originally posted by Stephanie

Are you referring to Major Mike, the maker of the most excellent June Rum Shrub? The very shrub I would pay dearly for to have another bottle? We must personally invite the Major to the next Gathering!!!


Steph

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Originally posted by Seamus

In a word-------------magnificent!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Seamus

In a word-------------magnificent! Weather was cool and slightly breezy, sunshine and light clouds. The skeeters were almost non-existent, except in early evening, and even then they were not a problem. I have been there when it was ankle-deep mud, constant rain or hot, dry and humid...NOT a fun time!

Scenarios were different this year. Saturday's had some problems when some combatants did not pay attention to their roles, thereby screwing up the plan. With around 800 on the field, it is imperative that plans be followed! But, being under good commanders, we reacted to the situation and improvised a believable plan of action, which saved the day. The public was none the wiser, but the discussion and evaluation afterwards in our Officers' meeting was rather heated! Sunday it was reworked and that tactical went much more to script. The crowd was quite large, around 5000.

The camps were great! Each camp--French, Native, and British had all sorts of impromptu things going on: drill, music, educational events, so no visitor should have been bored! One cannot imagine the different visuals and sounds that exist in these camps: French being spoken, various Native dialects, clothing, smells of woodsmoke and cooking, the sight of hams, roasts, birds, and so on, spitted and being slowly cooked, children dressed as little soldiers and playing at being soldiers, mimicking the "big guys". To watch them maneuver and shout commands perfectly is a real hoot! Little girls dressed like their moms, infants in 18th century dress.......I could go on and on. THIS is the next generation which will take over when we aging warriors are no longer able to play.

Saturday night after dark, we marched to the fifes and drums nearly a mile to the Old French Lines and played a taptoo at the monuments to the French and the Black Watch, and marched back again......an impressive, emotional gesture, one always looked forward to.

Then there were the sutlers. I don't know how many, but at least 50-60 or more top-quality sutlers. It was possible to start at one end of Sutler Row as a 21st century person and walk the length of it, coming out the other end dressed and accoutered in the 18th century...literally.

The highlight of the weekend, for me, personally, was meeting our own Kurt, and having a chance to visit a bit with him. Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich was there, too, as was Alikws. I did get to visit with Chauncey and catch up on lots of stuff, but I regret that I could not find Alikws. I went to the Native camp twice, and each time he was not there. Time and command duties did not allow me to continue my search, so Alikws, I am sorry we did not connect this time. Perhaps we will next year.

I also had a first! One of my soldiers, Pvt. Miller, asked to see me in private, and his reason was that he sought my permission, as his Commanding Officer, to ask the laundress, Mistress Speir, to marry him. Her father had given his blessing the evening before, but as a private soldier under my command, he needed mine, also, as was the custom. After the customary "prospective son-in-law" interview (I have done it twice with my own!), and being satisfied with his answers, I gave my blessing.

He proposed to her in the King's Garden, and the date was set to marry at Ticonderoga next year at the Grand Encampment. Arrangements were started with the fort to get their permission and assurances were given that it c