From Battle Road, the beat goes on.

Over the weekend I got an email from my pal Ed, who is an avid 18th and 19th century reenactor along with this wife, Lynne. The two of them have been involved in both Rev war and Civil War reenacting for many years now and know their stuff when it comes to what is proper and what is not. Well, apparently the stitch counting committee at Battle Road this year thinks they know better than veteran reenactors with close to 20 years experience.

Ed informs me that he and his wife were made to stand in line for an "inspection" by the stitch-nazis at the beginning of the training session. They actually informed him that his handmade coat needed a running stitch along the collar and that Lynne's pinafore wasn't correct. Lynne was then asked if she would like to attend one of "their" sewing classes. This wrinkled their noses as much as it did mine. Oh, and their young nephew was told he needed to have a coat instead of a farmers shirt as all male participants MUST wear a coat this year. So as Ed suggested, someone better cover up the Minuteman stature at MMNHS otherwise he might get removed as well.

I'm all for authenticity, but this goes way beyond anything that is acceptable. It's pettiness for the sake of being petty. What really frosts me however is that a few individuals think they have the right to interpret history as they see fit, irregardless of whether or not it's accurate.

As it turns out, Ed and Lynne are doing exactly what I intend on doing at Battle Road......attending as "period" members of the public therefore bypassing the bullshit that the registered reenactors must put up with. A sad state of affairs to be sure.......

Gear Review, Ft Turner Tomahawk

One thing about 18th century reenacting that everyone enjoys is the acquisition of material.....particularly those items that are of such quality, they will last a lifetime of actual use and will become an heirloom over time. One such item is the Ft. Turner tomahawk. Ft. Turner makes some of the finest hawks in the business. Hand forged one at a time, their hawks come in a variety of styles and sizes. Their Iroquois tomahawk is a favorite with 18th century reenactors as is the Roger's Rangers hawk. According to their website, the Rangers hawk is a favorite with active duty soldiers on the front lines of today's battlefields. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

After feeling the razor sharp edge of my Iroquois hawk, I would not want to be on the receiving end of it. I had to wait about 6 weeks for mine to show up, but it was well worth the weight. This is not a cheaply made monkey-metal POS made in some village, but a hand crafted, professionally made tool that will withstand actual use day in and day out. The handles are all made from hickory, fire hardened and finished with a satin lacquer finish which brings out the grain beautifully. Currently, the Iroquois hawk is running about $50 and it's well worth every penny. They still make them one at a time and military orders take priority, so be prepared to wait a bit. You won't be disappointed!

In the past, I find that my belt knife and hawk get the most use during a weekend encampment. Tomahawks are perfect for cutting thick branches for shelter poles, making kindling, cutting up root vegetable and even fighting off hostiles from time to time. It's one of those tools that once you have one you will wonder how you ever got by without it. I wouldn't go into the woods without mine now...even when we go 21st century camping! I always bring a hawk along with me.....granted I get some funny looks from the campers next site over, but it cuts down on small talk on their part when they see a hawk tucked into my belt!

Ft. Turners website is http://www.fortturner.com/index.html

Boston Massacre 2010

This past Saturday, the sounds of an angry mob and sporadic gunfire once again filled the streets of Boston. This time around it had nothing to do organized crime or drunken frat boys run amuck, but rather a very well done recreation of the Boston Massacre. The event is held each year around the March 5th date, which is the actual date of the event......March 5th, 1770.

With warm temperatures and no rain, the crowd was larger than normal and we had a full complement of reenactors there. It was akin to old home week....you greeted old friends you haven't seen all winter and caught up on the latest gossip. I was assigned to mob #1, which was due to "go on" first. Myself and a few mates were dressed as local merchants who might have been out on that evening only to find themselves as part of an angry mob. The street nearest to the Old State House had been cordoned off by the police and a large crowd of spectators had gathered to watch the events unfold. From where I was standing, I could hear some narration going on as an effort to whip up the crowd into the proper frame of mind. A few of us had clubs...myself being a gentleman had my walking stick....which is a refined club. Not much defence should the regulars decide to fire into the crowd.....which they did. All at once, a whistle blew and we rushed through the crowd and formed up on the perimeter of the scene. Private Hugh White stood alone facing a mob that was a bit too close for comfort. I would not have wanted to been in his shoes.......
Suddenly, the air was rent with boos and hisses as six British troops and their officer arrived on scene in an attempt to extricate Private White from the angry mob. The soldiers stood fast with bayonets ready and I watched them load.
"Shurly they do not mean to fire on the citizens?" I asked a fellow nearby (in keeping with the period). "I should say that they do, the villains!" came his reply. I stayed on the edge of the main violence, occasionally raising my stick to shout out "Isn't it enough that we must pay taxes?" The crowd at this point looked something like a rugby scrum......massed bodies being pushed back and forth.....an 18th century mosh pit if you will. Suddenly, one of the muskets fired KERRCHOOM!", I instantly ducked and turned as another musket discharged and another after that.....which is exactly what happened historically. When the shooting stopped, there were three prone bodies on the ground. "Merciful heaven what have you done?" I shouted to the regulars. The body of Crispus Attucks lay at my feet being tended to. I walked over to another fallen patriot and crouched down. "Murderers!" the crowd chanted. I stood suddenly and yelled "You will hang for this, it's murder!" I did my best to look horrified at the carnage. The soldiers said nothing, they formed up and were marched off to the side. All at once, the Governor (not the current one), made an appearance at the window of the statehouse and appealed to the crowd to disperse. His promises of a trial by law were met with roars of anger. And all at once, it was over. The bodies got to their feet and the crowd applauded! All in all, it was a very good show, I think. I was told by several of my fellow reenactors that they really got into the moment and came very close to pummeling the regulars.......a period rush, if you will. As a "gentleman", I stayed out of the mosh pit much preferring reason to violence, but that's just me.