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THE ART OF HISTORICAL RE-ENACTING (A Mini Series)
Part 1
Over the course of the next issues of the newsletter I will endeavour to take you with me and my family through the perils and joys of time travel from the 20th century back to the early 19th century. To clarify, (I am sure that I have confused many of you
already) this column will be a journal of our adventures during the 1993 season of 1812 military re-enactment and historical living.
In June, 1989, we participated in our first military re-enactment event in Stoney Creek, Ontario. We were not sure what to expect. We did know that we enjoyed camping, and being volunteers in this organization would allow us to combine this love of camping with the desire to learn more of our Canadian heritage and history. The whole family does learn about Canadian history and historical lifestyles and we learn it not by reading historical textbooks, but by living it. The children have ceased to realize that they are learning but instead just plain enjoy this way of life that we participate in each year from about May to September.
In the beginning, we limited our involvement by camping in the 'modern' area of each event. 'Modern' to an historical re-enactor means tents, tent trailers, flashlights, propane stoves, air mattresses, plastic water jugs, etc. We would get dressed in our 1812 costumes and spend the day in 'period' camp, returning to our modern campsite in time for bed. 'Period' camp to historical re-enactors means canvas tents held
secure and upright with branches and ropes, straw lined floors for sleeping ease, open fires for cooking and warmth, wooden chairs and tables, and lots of people dressed in 'strange' outfits ready to entertain and educate the public.
In the next issue, I will share with you how frantic the pre-season time can be with all the preparations that need to be completed. First event is in May and the clock is ticking. I still need to sew some dresses, sew some capes, sew some pants, sew some hats, check the pots and dishes, check the blankets ...... (You get the idea !!)
Till next month,
Beth Mitchell
Part 2
Dateline - March 12, 1993
Preparations are being made for the new 1993 season of 1812 historical re-enacting and historical living. This Saturday the first of two sewing bees will take place. What we hope to accomplish at this sewing bee is the completion of at least one 'Empire' style dress for each lady attending. The 'Empire' style of dress was the predominant style for women of all classes in the early 19th century. The type of material and accessories used would vary with the dress's purpose. Sheer fabrics, such as fine cotton or muslin, were used for fancy dress and heavy cottons were used for everyday wear. The 'Empire' has an extremely high waistline, narrow fitted back and a skirt that is columnar in shape.
Each year, at this time, preparations always include lining every child up and taking new measurements for clothes that have to be made. This really shows you that these kids must grow overnight!! Once measurements are taken, the clothes from the previous season are looked over and we try to salvage what ever we can. Thank goodness most of the bonnets and caps still fit from season to season.
The next step for me this year is to finish compiling my 1812 cookbook that I will take with me camping. Cooking over an open fire provides an 'unique' dimension in meal preparation. Along with compiling the recipes, I have started to test some of them on my family using my 'modern' equipment (stove, oven, etc). I am happy to say that the testing of homemade Grange-style bread was a huge success.
Well, I must go for now. Next month I will be finishing off with the preparations and hopefully we will be ready to start with our first event in May.
Till next month,
Beth Mitchell
Part 3
Dateline: April 08, 1993
As I having been saying, the winter months are filled with preparing clothes, and equipment for the upcoming season. But this is not all hard work.
The Campfollowers (the women's section of the historical re-enactors) get together two or three times during the winter and early spring to elect new co-ordinators, dress consultants, and representatives to our board of directors. At these meetings we also go over the past season's events and discuss how we can improve participation, food preparation, clothing requirement and other things that go on behind the scene to ensure that at each event we attend goes smoothly and that everyone (re-enactors and the public) have an enjoyable and safe time.
The I.M.U.C. (Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, otherwise known as the men's section of our re-enacting group) get together each week for drill practise. This is really reflected at the events with their precision on the field!!
Everyone gets together in late January, early February for an 1812 style dinner and dance. At this party, after partaking of some wonderful food, and port, we hand out various awards, and door prizes (most of these prizes are homemade and dare I say it, 1812 period related). Then we move back the tables and chairs and have a dance that ends all dances. For the past two years this party was held at Black Creek
Pioneer Village. I must say that it is a lot of fun getting all dressed up in fancy period clothes when all we wear all summer are regular work-style clothes.
Well I am sure that you must know that I am not quite ready in all my preparations. So, I must go for now. I hope that I have given you a brief idea of what pre-season is like for us. My next report will be from somewhere in 1812. Talk to you then.
Till next month,
Beth Mitchell
Part 4
Dateline - May 01, 1993/1812/1993
The weather was uncertain, head colds were still resident in most of us. Do we risk camping for the weekend or not? All week prior to our first re-enacting event in Longwoods, Southern Ontario, these thoughts were going through our minds. The daylight hours were quite pleasant but the temperatures at night were still below zero at times. Since this was going to be the first of many events that we were going to attend this season, we decided to play it safe and only go for the day on the Saturday. There, the decision is made. Easy, right? Wrong!! O.K., so we didn't need to pack all the clothes, dishes and food for the whole weekend. But, this decision had its side-effects. It was Friday night before we knew it and it was very late Friday night before the van was packed with what we needed. Estimated time of departure was 06:30 the
following morning.
07:00 Saturday morning. More or less on schedule, we are on the road,
ready to do battle with the Americans.
10:00 Saturday morning. We made it!! There seemed to be minimum sibling fighting amongst our girls on the trip down and also minimum stops for washroom calls. I guess that the first three hour car trip of the year takes them by surprise!
Longwoods Conservation Area is located just off the main highway south of London. Re-enactors representing various Indian tribes, Americans and British were present. Looking around the site I was amazed to see the enormous number of A-frame, baker, wedge and marquis tents as well as wigwams set up. After we set up our tent and cooking gear, we went around and visited old friends and met new people who we are bound to see again at another event. One of the best things about re-enacting is making friends with people who come from all different parts of Canada and the United States.
During the course of the day, there was a battle re-enactment that brought great applause from the public. After the battle, everyone (public included) came back to the camp to see what was cooking for dinner. This time I had prepared venison stew for our main course and roasted walnuts to munch on before dinner. Both were cooked over the open fire during the course of the afternoon. Both, I must say, were a big hit. After dinner, for us, it was time to pack up and head back to modern conveniences.
Our next event (a full weekend one this time) will be in early June and will be held at Stoney Creek. It is one of our personal favourites. Bye for now.
Till next month,
Beth Mitchell
Part 5
Dateline: June 1813
This war between brothers and neighbours has been going on for more than one year. The story that I am about to tell you could prove historically to be, in this reporter's opinion, the turning point in this battle between the newly formed United States of America and the mighty British Empire.
With the fall of Fort George, the larger part of the Niagara peninsula has been evacuated by the British army. The American army (rumoured to be approximately three thousand strong), is pushing up towards Kingston.
None of this was important to young Billy Green, a teenager left mostly to his own devices from an early age. What he saw one early June morning, while travelling through the woods near his home in Stoney Creek, absolutely delighted him. Americans were marching by, on their way to his home village! This was an opportunity for pranks that he couldn't resist. At noon, hidden from view, Billy and one of his brothers, began to shriek and yell like Indians - a sound that sent panic throughout the entire group of soldiers. The brothers then ran back to warn the village that the Americans were on their way. Later on that same day, Billy learns that his brother-in-law, Isaac Corman, who had been captured by the Americans, has since been released by claiming kinship with the commander of the Army of the American North-West, William Henry Harrison. This information in fact was true in that his
mother is Harrison's father's sister. Not only did the Americans release Isaac, but they also provided him with the countersign (or password) for the day so that he could cross the American lines and join up. Instead he gives this information to his brother-in-law, Billy Green. Billy realizes that he has to give this information to the British army and does so before nightfall. In exchange for this information, Billy is given a corporal's sword. He then agrees to lead the British to the American camp that very night. Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey and his superior, Major General Vincent, felt now that with this information along with what they already knew about then placement of the artillery within the American camp the British would be in a good position to win this battle. They decided on a surprise attack and despite fewer numbers, they managed to capture several of the enemies' cannon and generals. Espionage and the inability to distinguish friend from foe were also major factors in this battle. At one point, as described to me by an eyewitness, Captain James FitzGibbon donned a blue cape over his red tunic and approached, with on friendly wave, one of the guns held by the Americans just outside the Gage homestead. This 'disguise' enable him to approach unharmed. Once close enough, he identified himself as a British officer and was able to hold the gun until backup from the 49th Artillery arrived.
Till next month,
Beth Mitchell
Part 6
Dateline: June 1813
Within three days of the Battle of Stoney Creek, the situation along the Niagara has been reversed. As a result of a single unequal battle, quickly planned at the eleventh hour, and fought in absolute darkness, the invaders lost control and have now evacuated back to Fort George.
Beth Mitchell in
1813 Stoney Creek, Upper Canada
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Now in 1993, 180 years later, as we strive to re-enact some of this battle we can appreciate the significance of what had happened so long ago. Stoney Creek, the Burlington Heights, York (now Toronto) and all of Southern Ontario remained in British hands and later became part of the Commonwealth of Canada. Thank you Billy Green.
Beth Mitchell, Campfollower.