Demo at Reenactment

Our local historic site and society hosted an American Civil War reenactment at Heritage Hill State Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Our group volunteered to set up dioramas and a demo game for the visitors.  They gave us part of the Surgeon's Quarters to set up in.  The weather was great and a nice breeze moved though the building.

I was only there on Sunday but the attendance and interest ran high all weekend, particularly on Saturday which is always the busiest day at a reenactment.  As the Union and Confederate forces squared off, we talked about two aspects of the Battle of Antietam, the theme of the weekend.

Bob's demo game using 1/72nd scale miniatures.

Some of the reenactor kids had such a good time playing Saturday they were waiting for the doors to be unlocked Sunday.

Here Todd describe's Turner's Gap and the advance of the Iron
Brigade.  Mostly recruited in Wisconsin.

The two set-ups.

Here I talk about the Sunken Road, or Bloody Lane.

Meanwhile, the two Reb guns came into action.

Reb firing line.  

Thinned, but still advancing.

As a black powder era reenactor it is rare for me to watch a tactical unfold.  Thinking on it, this was just the third in 25 years!  Here's a short clip of the musketry.  Alas, the hand-to-hand clip is too large for Blogspot to handle.

When the reenactors come around you'd better be on your game.

Things cleared out fast after the afternoon tactical.  Thankfully. 
A long weekend for Bob and Todd who worked both days.

Doing what a soldier does best.  

The site was very pleased with us and we were pleased with the reception.  I imagine we'll do it again next year.

Waterloo 1815-2015

It was my great pleasure and honor to partake in the 200th anniversary event in Belgium this year.  I would need a dozen posts to relate all that happened, both in the event and with the time we spent in Paris and Brussels and the Ardennes as part of our vacation.

We had twenty-one Americans traveling over, together or in small groups to participate.  We joined our parent regiment, the 21eme Regiment d'Infanterie de ligne on the Thursday before the festivities.

Combined we had 72 in camp and our combined battalion fielded 194.  Around 6000 infantry, cavalry and artillery participated in  total.  We drilled for hours on end and found that the distance between camps precluded visiting for all but the hardiest.  Having put many, many miles on my bad feet being a tourist, I wasn't inclined to add more mileage.

When we marched out for the evening "spectacles" (to maximize profit for the organizers) we were confronted by tall barley fields that hindered movement and huge numbers of allied troops.  Not wishing to be exclusive, one could see British, Dutch-Belgian, Prussia, Russian, Austrian and Swedish troops.  Plus probably some I missed seeing.  Here are some scenes from Friday night.

The Lion's Mound, wreathed in smoke

A square, nestled in the barley

We arrived back in camp about 11:30pm and with "la Diane" coming at 7:00am there was little partying.  Saturday was more of the same, though the "spectacle" was far more enjoyable.  There were many things about the event that strongly differed from ones in the US or Canada.  We were given tins of sardines, bags of peanuts and chips, and cans of vegetables for "rations."  Fortunately the 21eme had a meal plan in place.  If you wanted to use the clean facilities it cost a Euro.  Food and beer (especially) could be purchased fairly cheaply however.  Saturday night was very exciting.

Not mine, didn't write down the artist's name

Photo by Andrey Popkov

Photo by Andrey Popkov (I can be seen in the back left)

Scots Grey and I exchange sabre blows, photo by Andrey Popkov

Photo by Andrey Popkov

As we retired from the field the allied cavalry got very aggressive.  Very aggressive.

The cost was very real.  Tragically, there were four fatalities at the event and the ambulance was a familiar sight around camp and on the field.  While many handshakes were exchanged when we assaulted Hougomont or la Haye Sainte, the open field melees were more like a rugby scrum and firing was done extremely close to one another.  Strangely enough, the reaction to the deaths in Europe was, "with so many involved that is not bad."

Having done battalion drill a few times in Europe now, I can say that as a wargamer most rules make battlefield evolutions too easy.  I'm very proud of our battalion for how well we performed.

Photo by Jean-Francois Schmitz

On Sunday we all went to the battlefield marker for our regiment.  It notes our engagement with General Pack's brigade.  Our flag and Eagle were presented to us by the modern day 21eme.

Vivandiere and Lieutenant

On Monday, despite Belgium being closed on Mondays, we took a short tour the the Ardennes, visiting Bastogne, St. Vith, and la Gliece.  My high school history teacher fought with the 101st throughout the war.  506th, I Company.  God bless you, Mr. McGowen.

Leipzig 1813-2013

It was my great honor and pleasure to journey to Germany with other Americans form up with our parent unit, the 21eme Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne and participate in the 200th anniversary reenactment.  Attendance reports vary as always, but on the French side we counted six battalions of roughly 500 men each, plus numerous artillery, some artillery, and lots of gold lace.  Since we were outnumbered in every arm, I conclude that there were up to 8000 reenactors on the field.

Despite a day of rehearsing the battle, little went right.  But that is okay with me because it was an amazing experience.  I've been to Europe for five events now and have never seen such a spirit of unification and camaraderie.  As the fierce Prussian line charged into contact with fixed bayonets they pulled up the tips, pushed a little, and then began exchanging handshakes and even hugs with their erstwhile opponents.  To the estimated 40,000 spectators some distance away I'm sure it just looked like heavy hand-to-hand combat.

Below find and enjoy some pictures from the event.  Some taken by my wife, who portrays a vivandiere, others shared with me and a few gleaned from the Internet.  Now we wait for 2015 and Waterloo.

A portion of our battalion

Four pelotons in the battalion, this is #3 and 4

 

Me, a 58 year old sous-lieutenant

 

One of many overhead views

Wargamers view of squares

Meal time the day of battle

A portion of the huge diorama present

"grumble, grumble...."

Prussian artillery (BBC photo)

Prussian line (BBC photo)

 

Russian uhlans (BBC photo)

And finally a movie clip from the web.  My unit appears several times and gives a sense of the magnitude of the engagement.




End of Summer Activity

Not much gaming lately and less blogging.  So since you've no doubt wondered, "what's up with Michael?" I thought I'd bring you up to date.  :-) 

After gaming my biggest hobby is historic reenacting.  With school starting we knew we were going to have little time so we decided to cram as many events as possible into the mix.

End of July - Rendezvous on the Sault; Sault Ste. Marie, MI

The "Hard Core Four" - Phillip, me, "Gilbert" and Michel

 

I found myself acting as sergeant for the combined French forces

 

With la Compagnie Franche de la Marine du Fort la Jonquiere.  This was a fun little event for us despite the tornado that came entirely too close Friday night.  The event was all French, so with no British there to tell us what we were doing wrong, it was quite enjoyable.  Definitely a candidate for going back next year.

First weekend of August - Pike River Rendezvous; Kenosha, WI

With pomp and circumstance as we search for our mid-day meal

"What do you mean, more!?"

Your standard Rendezvous that thoroughly enjoys having our Napoleonic era 21e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne attend.  We even made the front page of their Sunday paper.  Besides a lot of drill and marching about, we chased pirates and enjoyed meals and merriment with the Black Horse Inn. 

Mid-August - Tall Ships Festival; Green Bay, WI

The USS Niagara provides the backdrop

"Come cheer up me lads, tis to glory we steer...."

We were invited to be part of the "color" for the Tall Ships gathering at Green Bay.  Many familiar and some new tall ships came in.  As the lines were long and hot, I just cruised along representing the Royal Navy as HMS Nancy (1812) while engaging the public in music and jokes.  A good time and no camping!

Last weekend of August - Pioneer Village; Freedonia, WI

"Disperse ye rebels!"

His Majesty's 55th RoF

Since joining the 55th Regt. of Foote we have enjoyed a small number of semi-local events.  We weren't able to go to go with them out east to Colonial Williamsburg so we try not to miss the close ones.  The 55th is a very active group when out, always running a skit if not drilling or engaging the public in conversation.  My kind of people.

So finally, to complete the five events in six weeks run, we finally get to wear the same uniform again at:
Last weekend - Platteville Historic Encampment; Platteville, WI

The Troopes des Colonie, wondering where the artillerists had wandered off to. 
Our colors in the background.

The infantry tents.  Not pictured, the family wall tents and the Captain marquee

This is an educational opportunity for our unit.  No opposed tacticals, but a school day, city parade, and various demos all weekend.  The Saturday evening fare was especially enjoyable as it finally cooled down a bit and the music, song and adult beverages flowed freely.  A good ending to the run.

Now we have two whole weekends off before our last event in North America this year.  I have to word it that way because in October we go to Germany for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig, the Battle of Nations.

So that's what I've been doing on weekends.  You?

Reenacting

I haven't had many gaming opportunities till recently, but in exchange I've done some historic reenacting.  First up with the Klash on the Kankakee in IL with the NorthWest Territorial Alliance (NWTA) in the 55th RoF.  Click to enlarge pictures.

Over the course of the weekend we drilled a great new with a new recruit in the ranks and still relatively new me; set a camp guard to interact with the public; dispersed malcontents and those who would spread sedition; and engaged the rebel mobs in pitched battle.

No "Common Sense" here

The interaction with the public became rather spirited at one point, with a non-reenactor from the crowd urging the assembled masses to rise up in revolt while the children pelted us with bread.  I was not amused...

Next up with the Days of Napoleon reenactment in Belvidere, IL.  It is supposed to be the "all up" event for the Brigade Napoleon and other like-minded individuals.  It turned out to be more of a Midwestern event, but my thanks to those who came long distances to support us, as we do when the event is held on the east coast.

We set up in a fine campsite with the French and Coalition troops separated by a wood line.  Out of sight but still close enough to make visiting after hours easy.  Over the weekend, despite being dogged by intermittent rain and heat, we set up a nice military camp; engaged in some serious drill with the larger numbers present; beat the Coalition in two out of three; and enjoyed our Regimental Fete where we observe the Emperor's birthday and remind our unit of how we got our battle motto.  After the private Fete we hosted a reception for the camp and period dance rounded out Saturday night.

About to sound "la Diane" and rouse the men

21eme Regiment de Ligne plus a Old Guardsman

3eme Cuirassiers

(Prussians not pictured)

Good times at the Ox Bow Tavern

All in all a splendid weekend with good work, good fun, good friends and a chance to honor and remember those whom we attempt to recreate.