Posted by Dr. Uncle Mark, Many Flags, Sgt. MacWm. on July 16, 2001 at 08:53:19:
To all of Ye out there!!!
We have been exceptionally quiet lately. Of course, we've had our discussions via email and telephone with Three Tales, Davey Gunn, Seamus, Uncle Quasi, Uncle Angus (doesn't speak much except in Gaelic), Andrew Kuntz, etc., etc....but we three have been quiet and thinking as of late.
We've also been very busy. After the Gathering, we hightailed it up to Fort Ticonderoga, fought the French, saw Seamus and Col. Armstrong, Pvt. Chauncey and his sister Sarah, Major Roberts and many others of us who make our living fighting the French and savages. Just came back from a battle at Fort Roberdeau, which after being with the provincial rabble, makes us proud to serve the King, although Many Flags keeps mumbling something about taxes and representation, freedom, etc....
The Gathering was a unique experience for all of us and we were glad that many of you joined us around the campfire. As we've said many times, we are in this business to educate and entertain....we enjoy sharing our knowledge and experiences in a fun-loving way. WE are always learning more, fine details with which we can hone our skills. Pvt. Chauncey understands this....I've been doing reenacting for almost 15 years, Seamus and Davey also, and we find that when we think we know the way things were done, made, etc. back in the 18th century, we get more information which shows us another way it was done or made, etc. People were individuals in those days, just like today. It's like saying that all Pilgrims wore black clothing and tall hats (that's what my elementary teachers taught me!!)....and that is far from the truth.
Which brings me to one of the threads. Theresa, huzzahs to you!!...For having living history people come to talk to kids. They are more knowledgable than teachers about their skill (having a staff of 30 teachers...I know this and can say it!). But a good teacher will take the information from the living history person, expand on it, and present it to the students on their level, which only a teacher can do. Experts know their facts, skills, and have the experiences. But, teachers know pedagogy so they can teach the students. I do the same in my school, pulling on all my resources (reenactor friends, historians, artisans) to give my students "living history" experiences.
As for the thread on authenticity in movies.....Yep, there are some mistakes in LOTM...and lots of mistakes in Patriot. The 60th RA Grenadiers in LOTM should not have bearskin Gren caps...only Highland Grenadiers had bearskin grenadier caps until the 1768 warrant ruled that all grenadiers would have bearskin on their caps. As for the Patriot....well....as Anglophyles (really, Britianiaphyles)...the church burning and shooting the young lad did bring the boil up on our blood...but it was Hollywood and it was made for Americans...I heard many viewers of the Patriot say that afterwards they felt a renewal of American pride....so, the movie served that purpose (and me, Dr. Uncle Mark, having 3 direct ancestors who were American soldiers during the Rev. War, one of whom was killed, American patriotism is certainly a good thing!!).
So, LOTM, in my estimation, even with it's few inauthenticities, is very, very well done. Patriot, not as well done...much more Hollywood, a Mel Gibson production, but also serves its purpose.
Let's see, what's left?? We have not stopped talking of the Gathering. Reading the Board now, we can put faces to names (Diana, Kate, Marcia, Theresa and Claude, Bill R, Rich, Cecelia, Christina, Jo and the Sisters, Ros, Miss Anne and the MacLeod, etc., etc....can't name you all right now....please excuse!). Seamus and Pvt. Chauncey and Davey Gunn has spoken with us about getting all of you to come up to where it all happened...come to Fort Ti and see the reeanctment, see Lake George, etc., etc....it makes it all come alive. Maybe that will happen some day. I know that Many Flags enjoyed the trek to the falls (although moccassins on white man's gravel roads is bad medicine!!). Sgt. MacWilliam enjoyed the Hildebrand music and the comradeship at the picnic, drinking port with Col Armstrong (or was that Uncle Quasi in disguise?), and the time 'round the campfire, just watching and listening, learning what the Mohicanland people are all about. The Sgt. also thought it great fun to meet Magua (Hawaiian shirt and all!). They both have many stories to tell their comrades about the Gathering.
Where do we go from here?? Seamus communicated with Sgt. MacWm. just last evening and asked that same question. We (Seamus, Davey, and all the other characters) have an idea we are toying with for Chronicles IV. A chance to get back to more serious writing ....a chance to educate and entertain....but in the "future"...jumping the lads up to 1776 when they are older and their children have to live and survive in a world which now pits cousins against cousins....Flags, Tales, Seamus and their children fighting for the independence of a new nation, and their cousins Malcolm and Davey, older, yet still Highland Grenadiers, supporting the British Crown's interests....hmmmmmm!!!
So, take care, don't take yourselves too seriously, it's a discussion among friends on this Board....for we learn in reenacting to discuss and learn, never taking oneself too seriously, remembering that there are many layers to an argument, that we may know "facts" about 18th century history, but we rarely know the real feelings, sensitivities, and thoughts behind the people who actually lived during that time.
Oh, and next....?? Well, Sgt. MacWilliam, Pvt. Gunn, and the rest of the 77th Grenadiers will be traveling in three weeks to Bushy Run to relive the battle that occurred there in 1763....Pontiac's Rebellion... Want to know more about this? Let me know!!
Pax Aye!! (Dr. Uncle Mark)
God Save the King! (Sgt. Malcolm MacWilliam)
God Save Congress! (Many Flags)
(Oh no!!! Sgt. MacWilliam is giving his cousin Flags the "look of daggers" and mumbling "What the hell is this Congress filth!!".....Chronicles IV here we come..........!)