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. 

Fort Erie --- 2022

 

After two years of delay made unfortunately necessary because of Covid-19, the Siege of Fort Erie was done again this August. It was a wonderful event, although it was blisteringly hot and horribly humid. The photo above was the rainbow over Buffalo, NY after a rainstorm... and not a drop hit us across the river in Ontario. 

(All the photos are to be credited to Laughing Devil Photography, Larry Barnard, Ralph Golin, Mark Psulka, my wife Beth, and a few others whose names I could not find.)

Sad to say, I was not feeling well due to the heat for most of the weekend. I did take part in Saturday's parade and the turn-over of the fort to the American army once the garrison marched out. I had the honour of being adjutant for the US side, which was interesting.

Morning parade

Musicians' call

The exchange of salutes
Following this the officer commanding takes over the parade and the adjutant
does a quick "fade" to the commander's right rear.
Officers carrying canteens/water bottles might not have been regulation,
but that weekend it was necessary! 

The column advances

Prime and load!

A volunteer with the 2nd Regiment of York Militia

The Crown line.
Numbers were down on both sides; a result of the pandemic I'm sure.

The combined 21st & 17th (out of Erie, PA) give fire

Fifes and Drums of the Crown Forces

The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles closest to the camera
- in green with black facings, musket armed.

The Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada (IMUC)
under their new captain. Huzzah!

First Sergeant Mike deploys his "war face"

Major Phil watches the 25th deploy

The Crown cannon

The afternoon battle, meant to display Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, was shortened because of the intense heat. Everyone was being very careful!

The night battle, the reenactment of the night attack on the fort, is always a load of fun and quite a blast - literally! Beth armed herself with my carbine, a hunting shirt, and undress cap as well as the belly box she bought for me that day and took her place on the wall. Alex's musket would no longer fire at one point, so she handed over the carbine... which he used and now wants me to leave to him in my will. Get in line, Bud!

The view from "the Wall" over the Terreplein of the fort.

Major Phil, and the marching 21st - Marcus, Alex, Mike, and Brendon

Another view from the wall.

It can get smoky.

From the main bastion

And the big BOOM!
Planned, organized, and set of by professional pyrotechnicians!

Part of the well-laid out Crown camp

Along side the road

Dinner our camp - pulled pork, Caesar salad, and "Mr. Jefferson's macaroni & cheese"
- taken from a 1790's cookbook from Monticello.

IMUC had the honour of leading the column.

Jordan in his pioneer gear

The Crown High Command

"Many Strings" intent on loading

Packing, Packing, Packing...

This is a short blog since my part in the event was curtailed. I hope to do better next time... both on the field and in the blog.