This is actually a post made to the Brigade of the American Revolution, a non-profit group of living historians (a.k.a. reenactors). I enjoy living an 18th century life and am a newly minted board member of said group. This past weekend, May 19 and 20, 2007, I traveled to an event of the BAR's Southern Department. It was held at Scotchtown, the home of Patrick Henry. Henry, the first American governor of Virginia, famously said "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!"
Scotchtown was a very nice event. I got there about 8:30 pm on Friday and men from the Fluvanna County Militia came out, unloaded my car, carried my stuff to the area where they were setting up tents and had my tent set up so very quickly so that all I had to do was unroll my sleeping bag.
Saturday the guys drilled while the women went to work preparing a ten-dish meal for dinner based on Hannah Glasse's thirty suggestions for appropriate dishes in May. I believe the Fluvanna Militia were put through their paces endlessly by Norm Fuss as everytime I looked up from plying my needle, Norm was marching those men across the property, wheeling them in one direction or t'other and they were eating it up with a spoon---I honestly don't know who was having a better time, them or Norm! I spent a lovely day working on sewing while sitting underneath a beautiful shade tree, chatting with site interpreters, reenactors and visitors. As usual, the visitors were very impressed with the men and women of the Brigade. We look great, we know our stuff and we share our knowledge. The public loves to learn from people who are enthusiastic about what they do!
The weather was perfect, breezy, warm, sun-shiny, everything one could wish for in a mid-May weekend. The evening's repast was incredibly tasty, each dish, from lamb to chicken fricasse to spinach pudding to Italian pudding to Almond Cakes, was delightful. I really enjoyed talking with the men and women who were having a great time talking and laughing with each other, delighting in each other's company. These are people who are friends and it shows. A great group to hang out with!
You couldn't have asked for more perfect sleeping weather, though you could have asked for less bothersome bugs. I have some giant bites on the back of my neck!! A great breakfast of eggs, potatoes and onions served warm or bacon and egg pie served cold greeted me upon rising and after a leisurely breakfast I broke camp and packed the van and then spent time talking with Norm Fuss and Todd Post about the wooden canteens that Norm makes based on originals he has studied and about different types of coopering---much there that I did not know. Then I read and took a nap while the guys drilled some more. The site didn't open til 1:30, but when it did I finally got a tour of the inside of the house. The tour took about 90 minutes, I then changed into shorts and T-shirt, sneakers and sunglasses, found that most everybody else had split, did the same, and headed north to the Delaware Valley via Rte. 301. Thus ended my trip to a BAR South event, where I had a really nice time. My thanks to my hosts and hostesses, I recommend their hospitality to all my fellow Northerners.
Next Chapter---What DO they do at a Firelock Match? Better yet, instead of reading my version, y'all come experience it for yourselves! If your not in the mood for shootin', bring a hand craft and keep me company under the fly!
Respectfully Submitted,
Cate Crown
Regiment von Knyphausen &
National Board Member at Large
