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!
Showing posts with label Fusiliers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fusiliers. Show all posts
Monday, August 06, 2007
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
As soon as the battle finished, the 23rd had to quickly get back to the Fusilier Redoubt for the next event.
Ich Dien!
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.
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.
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!
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.
As soon as the battle finished, the 23rd had to quickly get back to the Fusilier Redoubt for the next event.
Ich Dien!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
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!
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!
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