Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Drill

Last Sunday (August 12th), drill was held at the Heritage Park, in Cerritos, CA. The drill was attended by the two company officers, the company tailor, two fusiliers (myself included), and some loved ones.

The drill was good, considering the rather small number. The upcoming trip to Saratoga was discussed (more details will be coming to this blog, I promise). The company tailor had a rough cut light infantry coat for me to try on. I have a feeling the coat will turn out exceptional and that I will want to wear it more than the Ronald Reagan event. The tailor will also be working on my light infantry waistcoat.

The next drill will be August 26th at the same park. This drill will be in small clothes, so come prepared!

Ich Dien!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Shako Plate, Revisited

This morning I called Discriminating General in Canada regarding the Royal Welch Fusiliers stovepipe shako plate. They said that they could produce replicas of the plate but there is a caveat (there always is a caveat). The minimum order for such a custom job is 50 units and with a price of $60 per plate, whoever makes the order will be out $3,000. The minimum order size is also larger than the number of people that needs them, which also creates somewhat of a problem.

I might call them back next week to see about reducing the minimum order size. There is no need for 50 plates right now, although in the future the unit could possibly go through that many guys (especially if we ever do any film work). Hopefully I can convince the manufacturer that an order of 20 now with much potential in the future is equal to or better than an order of 50 now. We shall see.

Ich Dien!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Shako Plate

A friend of mine was visiting the UK this past week and while there, he decided to stop in at the Royal Welch Fusiliers museum. He took this picture:


If you look closely (and are interested in this sort of thing) you will notice a few things about this shako plate that are not normal. That is because this shako plate (for the "stovepipe" shako) is a special one just for the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Missing from the top is the royal crown--the GR monogram has been moved from the center to replace it. Instead of the GR in the center of the plate, we see the Prince of Wales heraldic emblem. Below that, where the lion should be, we have the Prince of Wales feathers. It is a fascinating piece and shows that while regiments did have standards of uniforms, there was much leeway.

Now I need to find a person or a business that can replicate the plate.

Ich Dien!

Monday, August 06, 2007

New website!

There is finally a website dedicated to the 23rd Napoleonic era unit! It is in the very early stages so there really isn't much there. Bookmark the URL, as changes will be coming soon!

Fusiliers in Spain


Ich Dien!

Sunday, August 05, 2007

1809

The following is an artists rendition of some British redcoats in 1809. The uniforms are not 100% correct, as the 23rd had discarded the bearskin for the shako and the "D" mess tin was not available until 1813.



Ich Dien!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Charles Hamilton Smith Print

Charles Hamilton Smith (1776­1859) was an artist, illustrator, soldier and spy. He worked on his Costume of the Army of the British Empire, from which this plates is reproduced. This plate shows the 1812 dress uniform of the 23rd and the 6th regiments of foot.


Ich Dien!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Napoleonic Uniform Print

Here is a great print of a private of the 7th Fusiliers and an officer of the 23rd Fusiliers around the time of the Battle of Albuera in 1811.

(From Bloody Albuera)

Ich Dien!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

I'm alive

Yes, I am still alive. It has been a very busy year for me and as such, I haven't had the time to update this blog.

Here are notes of the last few months:
  • I attended my first Napoleonic event the first weekend of May. Although it was a private event, it is very fun. The Napoleonic era is gaining ground in Southern California and I hope to someday see more than one event a year.
  • The Reagan Library Revolutionary Weekend event was again great, although the Continentals seemed to out number the British regulars. This is just unacceptable.
  • Recruits for the 23rd keep coming in and the new guys are all very enthusiastic. I believe Ferguson's Company is in good shape.
  • To help out the 23rd Napoleonic unit, I have been doing a ton of research (of which I will post here).
So that, in a nutshell, is what has been going on since Feb. I have not made it to all the 23rd events this year, since my personal life has been busy but I am definitely going to participate in Saratoga this October.

Ich Dien!

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Yorktown 225th - Day 2: Rest of the Day

After the final battle at Endview Plantation, the 23rd hustled back to the Fusilier Redoubt to begin the rest of the activities scheduled. First off, was a small ceremony honoring the members of the 23rd who fought and died defending the Fusilier Redoubt against the French.


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Standing in formation outside of the redoubt, the recreated 23rd performed a "mourn arms" to honor the British soldiers. The mourn arms routine consists of slowly turning the musket upside down so the barrel rests on your foot then placing your hands and forehead on the butt of the stock and sitting there in silence. I am sure it was a moving sight to those watching.


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After honoring the fallen soldiers, it was photo opportunity time. The whole 23rd lined up on the crest of the Fusilier to have a unit portrait taken. I am hoping to find a good copy so I can print it and frame it. Family members were then asked to join their Fusiliers for more photo shoots.


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Across the street from the Fusilier Redoubt is the Yorktown Victory Center. This Victory Center is funded by the state of Virginia and includes several excellent exhibits, including a recreated Continental Army camp as well as a 1780s farm.


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Seeing as how the enemy was so close, the 23rd decided to attack the Victory Center. While the different companies mopped up the feeble resistance, prisoners were also taken. It was a fairly easy battle, as the rabble couldn't stand the disciplined troops doing His Majesty's business.


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Following the sacking of the Victory Center, the 23rd celebrated by having a regimental dinner at one of the hotels in Williamsburg. It was an enjoyable evening spent with some great people. A few of the fusiliers wandered into Yorktown after the dinner, but that story is best told in person.

Ich Dien!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Yorktown 225th - Day 2: Second Battle

The second battle on Saturday was the attack on Redoubts 9 and 10. These redoubts anchored Cornwallis' left flank In order for trenches to be close enough for the artillery to really have an effect, these redoubts had to be taken.

Since the 23rd, during the actual siege of Yorktown, was not part of the defense of those redoubts, during the recreated battle we were stationed in some woods behind the fortifications as a reserve force.

Other Crown forces, including some German mercenaries (Hessians as they are commonly called) took positions in the redoubts. With hardly a warning, the American and French forces attacked and within a few minutes had taken control of both redoubts.

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With the redoubts taken, officers rushed around getting the reserve forces ready for battle. The 23rd quickly formed up and marched out of the woods, deploying in line. We met the attackers with a strong couple of volleys.


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Desiring to take the field from the enemy, the commander of the 23rd ordered bayonets. The 23rd then began to advance with muskets and bayonets leveled. The sight of the thin red line advancing was extraordinary!


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Unfortunately, the rebels didn't feel and instead met the bayonet advance with a smashing volley that took down many of the Fusiliers, myself included. Lying on the field, I was not able to see all that took place, but I do know that the Americans drove the British from the field.


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As soon as the battle finished, the 23rd had to quickly get back to the Fusilier Redoubt for the next event.

Ich Dien!