A Revolutionary Weekend

Posted by Scott Bubar on October 30, 2001 at 05:25:36:

My son Jonathan and I went to the reenactment of the Battle of White Plains at Ward Pound Rige Reservation in Westchester, N.Y. this weekend.

It's a beautiful setting for a battle. The first day, we made it in time to see the reenactment of "Spencer's Retreat". Got a real feel for the confusion of the battlefield. Not to mention what muzzle blast feels like when you're standing in front of a field piece rather than behind it. Also learned you can't tell who's who by the color of their coats. No wonder Hollywood simplifies it.

It was a chilly day, and cloud cover and wind chill left me numb as we retreated to the warmth of the car.

By the next morning I'd thawed out, however, and we went up earlier to take advantage of the "Open Camp" period. I'd had a feeling there might be a Mohicanite or two there. We were fortunate to be able to meet two: A kilted Seargeant McWilliams, and Priv. Chauncey Goodrich. When I mentioned the cold to them, they made light of it, saying something about layers of wool.

I'm ashamed to say I forgot to ask Priv. Chauncey about the Ping thing. (Maybe that's how they stay warm at night?)

The commitment of these reenactors to their "hobby" (more of a lifestyle) is amazing, BTW, and everyone I ran into was eager to share it. In fact some suggested that I consider enlisting.

The battle that day was "Chatterton's Hill". Almost as impressive as the battle was the narration by George Neumann, author of several books on Revolutionary-era weapons, accoutrements, etc. Mr. Neuman is getting on in years, but has tremendous energy and delivered an impassioned narration centering on what it means to be an American whether your ancestors came over 300 years ago or you passed the citizenship test yesterday. It brought tears to my eyes. (Or was that the wind).

A gentleman who was a friend or acquaintance of Mr. Neumann shared with me some of their activities. Equally well along in years, he confessed that during the February reenactments he has now taken to sleeping in a motel rather than a tent.

These folks really know how to make you feel like a wimp.

I left feeling I'd had a window into the period, inspired and somewhat rejuvenated.

Only problem is, Jonathan keeps talking about wanting to be a reenactor.

Follow Ups:

• Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Pvt. Chauncey 11:34:43 10/30/2001 (0)
• Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Seamus 10:14:57 10/30/2001 (2)
  • Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Scott Bubar 17:48:54 10/30/2001 (1)
    • Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Seamus 19:56:01 10/30/2001 (0)
• Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Sgt. MacWilliam 09:29:46 10/30/2001 (0)
• Re: A Revolutionary Weekend Theresa 05:37:00 10/30/2001 (0)

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: My son Jonathan and I went to the reenactment of the Battle of White Plains at Ward Pound Rige Reservation in Westchester, N.Y. this weekend.

: It's a beautiful setting for a battle.  The first day, we made it in time to see the reenactment of "Spencer's Retreat".  Got a real feel for the confusion of the battlefield.  Not to mention what muzzle blast feels like when you're standing in front of a field piece rather than behind it.  Also learned you can't tell who's who by the color of their coats.  No wonder Hollywood simplifies it.

: It was a chilly day, and cloud cover and wind chill left me numb as we retreated to the warmth of the car.

: By the next morning I'd thawed out, however, and we went up earlier to take advantage of the "Open Camp" period.  I'd had a feeling there might be a Mohicanite or two there.  We were fortunate to be able to meet two:  A kilted Seargeant McWilliams, and Priv. Chauncey Goodrich.  When I mentioned the cold to them, they made light of it, saying something about layers of wool.

: I'm ashamed to say I forgot to ask Priv. Chauncey about the Ping thing.  (Maybe that's how they stay warm at night?)

: The commitment of these reenactors to their "hobby" (more of a lifestyle) is amazing, BTW, and everyone I ran into was eager to share it.  In fact some suggested that I consider enlisting.

: The battle that day was "Chatterton's Hill".  Almost as impressive as the battle was the narration by George Neumann, author of several books on Revolutionary-era weapons, accoutrements, etc.  Mr. Neuman is getting on in years, but has tremendous energy and delivered an impassioned narration centering on what it means to be an American whether your ancestors came over 300 years ago or you passed the citizenship test yesterday.  It brought tears to my eyes.  (Or was that the wind).

: A gentleman who was a friend or acquaintance of Mr. Neumann shared with me some of their activities.  Equally well along in years, he confessed that during the February reenactments he has now taken to sleeping in a motel rather than a tent.

: These folks really know how to make you feel like a wimp.

: I left feeling I'd had a window into the period, inspired and somewhat rejuvenated.

: Only problem is, Jonathan keeps talking about wanting to be a reenactor.


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