And then it was time to take my husband to his first Military through the Ages at Jamestown Settlement in Virginia, a grand showcase of reenactors interpreting military units from the Ancients, into the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance, and beyond…into the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries!
Along with the immersion experience, I appreciate how these military units connect guests to the present, especially the personal experiences for those of us from military families, to help us appreciate our history.
MY OWN RECONNAISSANCE MISSION
With 39 units with immersion history experiences and multiple programs from which to choose, my husband and I strategized.
Initially, we decided to each explore whichever parts which most intrigued us, then meet for lunch to compare notes.
Meanwhile, my strategy also included a reconnaissance mission to determine its breadth and scope.
SHOPPING AT THE SUTTLERS
After scoping out the various units, I discovered the suttlers where I purchase some lovely jewelry assortments for my various historical costuming endeavors from K. Walters at the Sign of the Grey Horse.
1940S MUSIC
Walking back to the visitor center for refreshment, I discovered my husband watching the Liberty Ladies, singing ala The Andrews Sisters!
Enjoying them immensely, I felt like swing dancing!
What a fun way to get in the mood even more than we already were!
Over lunch, we compared notes.
Even though we had visited many of the same units, about 1/4 of the total experience, we had different experiences.
This showcases how each reenactor within a unit is a subject matter experts in specialty areas of their era, while all within the unit understand the general history of their area.
Even though I tried to gauge my time, I found myself making repeat visits when a new question in my mind arose.
Although we tried to visit every unit, we weren’t able to for a variety of reasons…just more to look forward to next year!
500 BC – GREEK PHALANX
The earliest group represented was The Greek Phalanx from 500BC, which had a massive encampment.
Surrounded by amazingly colorful shields and many hoplites, I was reminded of my son’s own hoplite adventure for homeschool when he was 11.
Several of us were invited inside their tent, where a couple of hoplites explained how they use the tent.
Upon entering the tent I was mesmerized, because I felt as though I had stepped in Greece.
I recognized the markings on the wood as Greek, and the hanging lamps, the fur, and the pottery from our homeschool books.
Even an iconic Greek urn sat in the corner for refreshment.
Outdoors I took in vast displays of an amazing array of helmets and arms.
Later in the day, I returned to ask about the linothorax armor with a couple of hoplites, explaining that my son and I had researched and recreated a linothorax armour for him to wear for a homeschool presentation when he was 15.
Since I had found a reenactor’s website about how he glued layers of linen, we followed his recipe…but wondered how accurate that was.
They explained that our technique was indeed the old thinking of how linothorax armour was constructed, but now it’s thought to be made of leather which is covered in linen.
Then I asked about where the design of all the shields came from, since they are so vast and creative.
Are they representative of a unit, a family crest, one’s own personal interests?
Yes, could definitely be any of the above, since we don’t completely know.
We talked quite a bit about what is known based on what survives, since fragile items like fibers have not endured.
The food for the Greek hoplites included the expected…
…and the unexpected!
Then I recalled how we learned in our homeschool books how the Ancient Greeks enjoyed octopus!
AD 60-61 LEGIO XIIII GMV
And then we visited the Ancient Roman soldiers’ encampment, also quite large…
…and under guard.
First we learned about the catapulta, a Roman war machine that propels large arrows or stones long distances.
The soldier explained all about the mechanical advantage this machine used with pulleys, etc.
He also said that Josephus, a Jew who fought the Romans, recorded that a bolt from one of these machines went through 3-4 people.
More amazing shields and helmets…
Officers, who were required to be literate, used these wax tablets.
Using a stylus, they wrote on the tablet, then erased their jottings by rubbing it out.
Note the complexity of that armour!
Loved this interactive map so much, that I took my husband back the next day to see it, because it details some major history in the early days of Britannia, not far from where my husband used to live.
On the first day, one of the soldiers shared the story, while on this visit Boudica, herself, was there to tell her dramatic tale.
In short, she led a revolt against the Romans around AD 60-61.
Also of great interest to me was this village model, built around a Roman fort with earthworks.
The houses to the side were for the families of the soldiers, while the buildings below housed the merchants and tradesmen who sold their wares to the soldiers.
And that is how many cities were built, like London, England and Nuremberg, Germany.
Again food that looks quite expected…
…but the portable grain grinder (below) was a surprise!
1215-1217 COMPANY OF LITTLE DUNMORE – FIRST BARON’S WAR
Robert Fitzwalter, the feudal baron of Little Dunmore, who with several other barons stood up to King John, forced the king to sign the Magna Carta.
1415 – LA BELLE COMPAGNIE – HUNDRED YEARS WAR
Within this grandly decorated military tent of a Lord, who runs an army, I learned much about economics.
But first, the sleeping chamber for his Lady…
His Lady’s hand maiden showcased the intricacies that can be desiged with this loom, by merely twisting the wooden blocks (in her left hand) in various fashions between the insertions of the shuttle (in her right hand).
Visiting twice, once on Saturday, when this photo was taken, I was amazed at how far she progressed with her weaving by my next visit, on Sunday, despite her many interactions with guests.
Next to her was the exchequer, whom the Lord had suggested I meet, prompting me to ask about how he manages the Lord’s accounts.
I’m so glad the Lord teed me up for that one, because I learned many fascinating things I never expected to learn at this military event, even though after hearing all the points, it made perfect sense that the military would need such skill.
This precursor to the checkerboard game allowed the exchequer (accountant) during the Middle Ages to easily add, subtract, multiply, and divide Roman numerals!
In this example, the exchequer has laid out chips to manage three different accounts for the Lord, who is leading an army during the Hundred Years War.
This happens to be a little board, while historic documentation shows boards as large as 10′ x 5′.
The exchequer and the Lord both explained how there was little cash at hand, so this kept the accounts aligned…while the Lord fussed about the merchant in a nearby booth who was a scoundrel and cheat!
Telling my husband, who had an economics minor in college, I took him to meet the exchequer the next day.
I enjoyed all the great questions my husband asked that I wouldn’t think of, myself.
This tiny scale allows the exchequer to weigh coins.
En route to a new section of pathway of military encampments…
I happened upon these Roman soldiers who were marching towards me…until I stopped to take their picture. 😉
1864 – CITY POINT HEADQUARTERS
Happening upon this encampment on Saturday, I took all the photos I could to show my hubby.
This first photo I took shows how the interpreters recreated the original 1864 photograph.
However, I never said a thing during lunch, wanting this encampment to be a surprise for him.
After all, we nearly visited Center Point last June, along the James River between Jamestown Settlement and Richmond, with plans to see all the other river plantations, except a monsoon delayed those plans.
So, I’ve heard so many stories about this from my husband, who has been eager to visit the actual site.
That afternoon, I stumbled upon my husband talking to them, but I was chasing down other units at the time.
Later, I received a text from him, that he had spent quite a bit of time chatting with General Grant.
That evening at dinner, after my husband enthusiastically related all that happened.
After I showed him the photos I took, he said he was SO glad I took them, since he was so caught up in the moment he didn’t take any.
The next day I told him we needed one more photo from City Point, a photo of him with General Grant.
1918 – OLD DOMINION SQUADRON
Based in France, this military unit did repair, surveying and training.
This plane is a replica, though 7/8 the scale, of the plane they used train pilots.
1940 – 92nd REGIMENT D’INFANTERIE AND ALLIES
Within this regiment I found a newsreel videographer, from Pathe’ Journal who explained how his cameras worked to shoot footage of the troops in France to send home for newsreels.
See historic 1940 newsreels from Pathe’ Journal here.
And then onto yet another section of pathway for more history!
1944 – 325th GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT
When I arrived, this military unit was on duty elsewhere, but they did have a lot of intriguing information to peruse, which explained how they trained for D-Day!
1945 – REPLACEMENT DEPOT
Nearby were some soldiers ready to chat, telling me how they had just prepared and served lunch for a huge crew of military types (I forget all the details), but the remnants could still be seen on the table.
That would have been a fascinating site to see!
Near to them was a lawyer, who explained that his tent processes all the requisite paperwork soldiers need, including legal help regarding life insurance and the writing of wills before soldier head out to D-Day.
As he spoke my memory clicked, so I mentioned that my mom had similar duties, though not legal.
However she also processed paperwork in the 1960s at a SAC base, Barksdale AFB.
One year while on leave in her hometown of Pennsylvania, she received a telegram telling her to report back to duty ASAP.
It was during the Bay of Pigs and she was needed to process outgoing paperwork for all duty personnel assigned to the mission.
This lawyer smiled and proclaimed, yep! Same type of situation.
After chatting about several things, I spied a machine on the ground.
Pausing in mid-thought, I pointed to it and asked, isn’t this a ground to air radio?
That surprised him.
heh. yea. well…that was my ex’s day job on the military frontline. 😉
1944 – 1st CANADIAN PARACHUTE BATTALION, HQ COMPANY
Wow, this was an interesting area, learning about parachutes, while not talking directly about them.
Since I arrived in the middle of a fascinating discussion, I caught the part about a pouch carried on the chest, and all the particulars about that, since the parachute goes on the back.
Then he talked about a leg bag, often packed heavier than it should, etc, etc, and I think though it starts on the leg, once out of the plane I think they let it free fall to the ground?
Although I think I’ve seen the front packs in videos and movies, but the leg bags were completely new to me.
And yet around another corner late Saturday afternoon my husband led me to yet another section even I hadn’t sussed out!
1941-1942 B BATTERY, 244TH COASTAL ARTILLERY
My husband loved this section due to his fascination with coastline defense.
It was quite interesting listening to all the stories, which I related to what I learned in Point Loma, California WWII coastline defenses built underground!
We sited through that giant machine aimed towards the Jamestown ships.
Wish I had taken a picture of that view…guess I was too engrossed by stories of successful/not successful German landings on the East Coast!
1968 – MAC-V RECONDO SCHOOL – 5TH SPECIAL FORCES
What an impressive entrance to this final section of military units…but now that I’m typing all this out, I realize I missed this specific group.
Next time!
1983 – B/2/505 82ND AIRBORN DIVISION – OPERATION AGENT FURY
And yet, another impressive display unlike any other…alas, this is another unit we need to catch up with next time!
SECOND DAY TO ROUND OUT OUR HISTORICAL TOUR
On the morning of this second day we I took my hubby to three spots I deemed essential for us to do together (which has been comprised in the narrative above):
- Revisit the Romans so I could learn more about the catapulta, even though hubby heard all that, but he asks better questions than I….then have him hear the history of Boudica leading a revolt in the part of England where he once lived.
- Introduce him to the Exchequer of the Hundred Years War
- Take a picture of him with General Grant.
While my hubby patiently complied, he was SO glad he did, after each experience.
CEREMONIAL PARADE TO AWARD MILITARY UNITS
As we made our way to our first stop, to revisit the Romans, we stopped for a ceremonial parade! What fun!
I think this was a Jamestown Settlement unit that marched from encampment to encampment, awarding large ribbons to winners.
Oh, yes, the day before I had seen at least 4 official judges from Jamestown Settlement leave the main building with clip boards to evaluate the 39 different military units.
Then we watched Napoleon receive a ribbon from them for the 1811 Napoleonic Grand Armee.
1811 – FRENCH 3EME’ D’LIGNE REGIMENT – NAPOLEONIC GRAND ARMEE
Doesn’t this Napoleonic unit have grand regimentals?
As I aimed my camera for a shot of Napoleon with his Grand Armee, Napoleon (Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg) saw me, then walked over to personally greet me.
Awww….he’s known me and my kids for years!
Then he returned to his Grand Armee unit…so I snapped this picture!
I think the red ribbon on the far left pole is the one they had just been awarded!
While inspecting the Military Troops through the Ages, Napoleon discovered WWII equipment, as presented by the 1944 – British 1st Airborne Division…just as I was walking by!
Can you only imagine what the real Napoleon and Captain would be saying?
Thus, we stumbled upon Napoleon on the loose with his trusted captain for a round of photo ops…just like the day before we stumbled upon the Hussar with the captain in like manner.
What fun that was posted to his social media.
While most of the social media photos were in his stories, this is a great encapsulation of the Hussar and Napoleon out and about in Military through the Ages.
For more photos of Military Through the Ages in 2019 and 2026, visit my Flickr set here.
