Yorktown 225th - Day 2: First Battle

First let me apologize for not updating the blog recently. It has been a busy end to 2006 and 2007 has started off without a break. In a future post I will have to write about Captain Ferguson's Company exploits during a History Channel filming.

My previous post dealt with the first day of battle at the 225th Anniversary of the Siege of Yorktown. Let me continue with the second day of battle.

The morning of Saturday, October 21st found the 23rd once again at the Endview Plantation. A few redoubts (earthen fortifications) had been built for the battle. During the actual siege of Yorktown, the 23rd was stationed on the far right flank in an exposed redoubt that anchored Cornwallis' line. This redoubt, now know as the Fusilier Redoubt, was assaulted twice by the French army but never taken. In fact, at least four members of the 23rd are still buried in the Redoubt.

After standing around a bit, which seems to happen a lot in the hobby, the 23rd was marched to the earth works. With us were a detachment of Marines as well as two field pieces. Looking out from our fortification, we noticed a vast throng of people across the field. At first it appeared that they were spectators, but then it became clear that 60 Fusiliers, 10 Marines and two field guns were to defend against over a thousand French and Continental forces.

Although it was a staged and scripted battle, one couldn't help but feel some small bits of fear and trepidation looking into the massed throng that was forming for battle. Luckily there wasn't time to dwell on those feelings as the Continental and French batteries opened up.

Soon the attack began in earnest. The 23rd, being the best trained unit on the field, poured well-aimed volleys quickly into the attackers, driving them back.

While the enemy regrouped for another attack, we kept our spirits up by singing a rousing rendition of "Men of Harlech." This also gave time for us to clean the muskets a bit and check flints in anticipations of the next attack.

The next attack was conducted by even more men than the first. A few Fusiliers even took hits as the French and Continentals kept on the attack.

With ammunition running short, flints going dull, it began to look bleak for the proud 23rd. There just seemed no way to stop the numerous Continentals and Frenchmen. Luckily, as if on cue, other Crown forces arrived and were able to drive back the enemy.

With the timely arrival of more regulars, the tide was turned and the right flank of Cornwallis' tentative position in Yorktown was secure.

Ich Dien!

Yorktown 225th - Day 1

It has been a few weeks now and I am still digesting my first trip back East to a Revolutionary War event. To sum it all up, it was the greatest experience I could have hoped for.

The actual 225th Anniversary event was scheduled to take place the weekend of October 20th-22nd. My family and I arrived in Williamsburg, VA on the 14th to get a little bit of sight-seeing. I had never been to the so-called "Historic Triangle" in Virginia and was just blown away when I first got there. Colonial Williamsburg was fantastic, the Jamestown Settlement was a great place to visit and I enjoyed the bit of the Yorktown battlefield I toured.

I won't bore you with the details of my sight-seeing but instead go straight into the reenacting bit. Early on the morning of Friday the 20th, the RV and trailer showed up at the Fusilier Redoubt to unload the gear the California contingent brought along. Since it wasn't possible to bring tents and equipment on an airplane trip, a few of the 23rd living in CA rented an RV and trailer and drove it all the way across the USA (in a record 56 hours) so that we could have an impressive camp. So that morning was spent setting up camp and making it look proper.

After setting up camp, including putting up the same tent multiple times as it was blown down by the wind, it was time to get ready for the first battle. Having only participated in battles in California (where a total of 12 is considered a decent showing), I didn't really know what to expect. The battle was held at the Endview Plantation, which usually holds Civil War reenactments. It had a few nice fields ready for the battle.

We marched into position and soon a few muskets (and rifles) could be heard going off. I thought to myself, "Hey, this is familiar. I know this sound." Then the roaring boom of a volley from a company went off and I was taken aback. It sounded as if the 23rd was going to have to take on the whole Continental line by itself. Meanwhile the cavalry had a skirmish, which was very cool to see as we don't have that in CA.

After the cavalry stopped showing off, the light infantry deployed. It was good to see the Delaware lights from California out.

Shortly afterwards, both sides were pitched in a heated battle. Volley after volley roared over the field. The 23rd, and the rest of the Union Brigade, was being held in reserve (the idea of saving your best for last). The Loyalists were out, slogging it with the militia.

Soon it was the 23rd's turn to come up and deploy.

We put up a good fight, but in the end the Continentals just out numbered us and we were forced to withdraw. During the action, I was wounded but managed (with the help of a drummer) to make it back to the line to do my duty once again.

With our pride still intact and our heads held high, we marched off the field of battle to the cheers of the crowd.

To top off the first day, we showed off a little bit to our adoring audience.

After the battle, I was just amazed at how awesome it was to be part of this and I couldn't wait for the next day.