the Longwoods Reenactment 2025 (First look)

 

On the weekend of May 3-4, a reenactment of a battle of the War of 1812 took place on the grounds of the Longwoods Conservation Area, just west of London, Ontario. The actual battle took place further west and the site is marked with a large marble memorial.

The reenactment involved quite a few reenactors and saw a large number of visitors despite the chilly and rainy weather. Numbers had been down since the pandemic and it was good to see such an increase in participants and spectators. The days included examples of drill, a Native War Council, and a battle reenactment each day. Sunday's reenactment was to be a more-or-less true reenactment of the battle in which a mixed force of US troops - regulars and volunteers - held off a force of British regulars (Mostly from the 1st Foot, the Royal Scots) on a snowy hillside. The US forces retreated following the battle, having suffered a few casualties and bloodying the nose of the Crown forces. It was not a big battle but it was an important one. (For a closer look, I direct you to this:                

                                              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Longwoods

Now to the photos. I am grateful for the permissions given to me to share these photos from Aaron Beam, Dean Archer Photography, Steve Zronik, and Judith Ponti-Sgargi, PPSA, BPSA. If I have missed anyone who contributed photos, you have my apologies and I will endeavor to correct the omission ASAP.

Beth at her apothecary stand... which attracted a lot of attention.

Your humble blogger at his quartermaster desk... with attracted
very little attention. I was more or less the public relations officer.

The Crown High Command planning.

A First Nations chief
"His Majesty's Woodland Allies"

Relaxing in the US Camp

Many of the reenactors slept in their tents on the grounds

At the War Council, one of the warriors

Colonel/General Martin Land... who had refused the promotion!
A true man of the people or some one with the right attitude.
"I'm a pretend soldier in a pretend war. Let's pretend I really care about rank!"

Daryl reenacting a civilian with his wonderful hat!

Part of the landing party gun crew from the HMS Earl of Moira
Beth and I hold membership in this group as well as in 
Cushing's Company, 2nd US Artillery.

Ed and his tame beard

Linda and Marty

Linda with Mark and your humble blogger.
Mark is set as an Ohio Ranger; I'm wearing the US
Infantry Uniform with captain's insignia. Linda is 
her glorious self, as always.

Mike and his new spontoon

Norm, the man who can build almost anything.

Cap'n Bob at the War Council

"Be inconspicuous. In battle, it draws fire. In camp, it draws sergeants."

Terry's leather working stand.

More at the council

1812 Songbirds. They make a grand addition to the reenactment.

"So the Crown be's takin' 'em young, eh?"

US Command officers

The Woodland's Allies and the British Indian Department

The US line steps off.

The command is "Make ready!"

The Royal Scots light company takes casualties but stands tough.

The light company give fire.

Jackie wields the sword of office.

In the heat of battle.

The command is "FIRE!"

The Canadian Volunteers skirmishing.
Formed from Canadians, they were a US unit and would be hanged as traitors if captured.

Sergeant's cap down!

The US 21st Infantry

The US 1st Infantry, Northern Garrison

A combined Crown unit takes a shot.

On parade - The forces of the Crown

On parade - The forces of the Republic

My friend, Neil, in command of the 22nd Infantry

The 22nd in grey and the 1st in blue

The Crown forces often drill in their barracks jackets.
The garment is tail-less and made in white wool.
I've never worn one but I imagine they are as warm as the red coatee.

Major Phil rallies the troops.

Light Company pioneer Jordan loads and is ready to "Shut pan."

More fog of war

There has been a call for parley.

With balance, pill roller, mortar and pestle, tooth key, wooden stethoscope, and a jar of "maggots", my wonderful wife educates the visitors about being an apothecary.
('Maggots' courtesy of Canadian Tire's fishing equipment selection.)

Your humble blogger in full regalia.

Lastly, a YouTube video of the march-past after the battle on Saturday:

                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vtztBIs8TA

There are more photos so there might be a second installment on this event. 

Longwoods 2022

 

Although the reenactment at Longwoods Conservation Area was over a week ago, I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. Cheers (Three!) to the Royal Scots Light Company for getting this going again!

Beth and I set up camp on late Friday afternoon, but did not stay the night. We live about a half hour's drive away and went home for our night's rest. When we came back Saturday morning, we received reports that it was really cold there. It also rained some on Sunday morning. What can I say? By the end of the day, the canvas of the tents and fly were almost dry... almost. 

The day's schedules for Saturday and Sunday were almost identical. (I had Sunday off and my church council insists that I take my time off.) The "battle" took place in mid-afternoon each day. According to long tradition, the Crown wins on Saturday and the Republic wins on Sunday. Often the actual battle of Longwoods is reenacted on Sunday, but not this year. Sunday's numbers were down and a barricade could not be set up for a battle of Longwoods reenactment. We still burned powder and had fun.

Some battle photos (courtesy of Steve Zronik)

The Crown Fifes and Drums prepare to march on.
I cannot tell you how much this group adds to the event.
At the end of every battle, the lament for the dead is played by the fifes.

The gun crew of the ship, The Earl of Mora
Efficient and effective!

You've heard of the "fog of war"?
Here it is.

Glen announces the battle for the crowd.
He is a long-time member of the Royal Scots Light Company.

Sergeant Jaquie of the IMUC
(the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada... it was a real unit)

His Majesty's Native Allies and Caldwell's Rangers on the field

The Canadian troops of the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles.
Historically, these were full-time troops who were to serve only in Canada.

John and Jordan show proper skirmish form - one loaded and ready while the other reloads.
Jordan is kitted out as a "pioneer", soldiers who cleared the way for the column,
cutting brush with axes, brush hooks, and similar tools. Hence the leather apron.

Gun crews from the Nancy and the Royal Artillery.

The line gives fire!

Marty, our lieutenant-colonel-commanding, addresses the US troops at morning drill.
His uniform is for the US 2nd Artillery.

Major Phil and the Canadian Volunteers (Canadians serving the US Army)
backed by the soldiers of the 22nd.

A contingent of the US Rangers oppose the Crown skirmishers.
These folks are usually fielded as the British Indian Department, but when numbers are needed
on the US side, they'll cross over.

Tyler, the first sergeant of the Croghan's Company, 17th US Infantry, gives fire!

Nick and Caitlin of the 17th at the ready.

Nick fiddles while Caitlin stands ready.
I'm offering helpful suggestions behind the firing line.

Croghan's Company, 17th Infantry gives fire!
(Tyler, Kevin, Nick, Caitlin, and Andy with me as wandering officer)

A few individual shots...

I have no idea why Andy was loading all by himself. No idea at all.

Beth, my wife, who is the real brains of the outfit.

Robb and Mark... serving as US Rangers.

Kim ("Many Strings") of His Majesty's Native Allies

Marty and Alex at the skirmish line.

Mike of the 21st Infantry holds the line.

Phil takes a hit. I originally thought he had really hurt himself!

Randy, showing proper form with a musket.

The Canadian Volunteers and the 22nd reload.

Croghan's Company, 17th US Infantry

21st US Infantry (Marcus, second from the right was "on loan" from the 17th)

A better look at Jordan's kit as a pioneer corporal

"Home, Jeeves! I have shenanigans to plan and execute!"

Our eldest, Wren, gives a 'thumbs-up' and a grimace.

Your humble blogger in his new plume/hackle

Well... I'd... rather not ask. 

"I isn't dead yet. Not quite."

Lot's more when on, but this is just a selection of the photos available to me. More reenactment to come!