Last Friday the kids and I drove down to Colonial Williamsburg for Under the Redcoat, a 3-day reenactment of the British occupation of Williamsburg from June 25-July 4, 1781
Last year my kids were captured by the Redcoats! Would that happen again?
BRITISH TROOPS DESCEND ON WILLIAMSBURG
Haughtily reading the terms of occupation, Tarleton acted as if his terms were gracious.
Tarleton ordered the patriotic flag taken down and replaced by the British flag.
We should be prepared to supply the soldiers with food, clothing, shelter, etc, as needed. (My son worried about our packed lunches!)
Amidst some boos from the crowd, Tarleton left to patrol the town with his dragoons.
WE WERE CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH
Since the British sentries are typically posted on Duke of Gloucester Street last year, we sneakily avoided them by taking a different route to the next program.
As we hurriedly walked on Nicholson Street, two British guards stepped in front of us, with their guns barring our way.
I stepped back so I could take photos like last year, but they were blocking me too and directing all their comments at me!
(Usually the actors and reenactors ignore me and direct all their comments at the kids. I wasn’t used to this!)
(Besides, I thought they only arrested those in costume, which I don’t yet have.)
The guards asked for our names, audaciously accusing me of things that were not true.
I finally wangled our way out of the situation, and they let us go. 😉
Dragoon demonstration
Eventually we arrived at the dragoon demonstration.
Tarleton talked to us about the job of dragoons and answered questions from the audience, including those of my kids.
With my kids, he emphasized the need to be eyes and ears to report to the commander.
(Oh, yes, we can certainly be eyes and ears…to report to the Continental Army!) 😉
Cornwallis reviewed the troops
The next scene was for Cornwallis’ review of the troops.
Banastre Tarleton shows off the flag he captured at the Battle of Waxhaws
Last year the flags Tarleton captured were on display on the museum, but they have since returned to their owner.
They are gorgeous flags (especially the aqua one) and quite fragile, so I was not able to take pictures of them.
This time Tarleton walked in with a reproduction of one of the flags!
Afterwards my kids had me take a picture of them with Banastre Tarleton.
Even though the British forced my kids to take a rendering with the dastardly Banastre Tarleton, they used their time well as spies for General Lafayette!
Spying on Cornwallis
Later we went to the Courthouse to meet with Cornwallis, his aides, and Tarleton for a question and answer session with the citizens (us).
After collecting intel for Generals Washington and Lafayette, my kids inspected the scene in front of the Courthouse where we saw a lot of interesting activity.
Enlisting in dragoon boot camp
Intrigued, we learned we could sign up for a dragoon boot camp!
We were in!
Yes, Sergeant!
After a brutal typical bootcamp sergeant explanation, we found ourselves yelling, “Yes, Sergeant!” and taking the oath…to the king! (uh oh. Spies do this all the time, right? We had to be eyes and ears, right? For Lafayette, right?)
Learning how to care for our horses
At the first station we learned how to take care of our horses.
First, my partner and I drew water that we hauled to the horses, back and forth, from the source to the barrel.
After about a minute, my partner and I gathered hay. We were thankful hay was nearby, since dragoons might go for miles looking for food for their horses.
For about a minute we grabbed hay from the pile to the horse, back and forth.
After that a dragoon explained the use of different tools for cleaning the horse, keeping him disease free.
Learning how to pack our horses
Next another dragoon taught us which things to bring with us and how to pack them onto our horses.
The next station was the one that first inspired us to join!
Learning how to smack the enemy with our sword
Here we had to race to the basket to grab a wooden sword.
We learned how to properly carry it so no one gets hurt, and how to swing it without injuring the horse.
Then we ran with our sword, weaving in and out of these dummy heads, smacking them.
Learn how to wield our sword while riding our horse
At the next station, we sat on bales of hay, pretending they were horses.
My daughter could not straddle her horse because of her gown, so she said something to the dragoon who said: Well, I’ve never worked with a lady before.
Then my daughter said she should sit side saddle to which the dragoon replied: I’ve never had a dragoon sit side saddle before.
With our swords we practiced our slashes and learned how to block blows from overhead.
Officially dragoons
After this we signed our papers and formally became dragoons!
When given our pay, about a shilling, I asked what that would pay for. Not much.
I asked how often we would get paid. Um, regularly they said.
Define regularly, I prompted. Um, monthly…
I also suggested that they were grasping at straws to recruit 2 mothers, 5 kids, and 1 man in our group. They sheepishly smiled. 😉
(Yes, we are eyes and ears…much to report…the British are desperate!)
My son approached for his loyalty papers to the king
As we rested under the huge shady tree by the Courthouse, my son walked up the dangerously guarded Duke of Gloucester Street to bring us cold water from Raleigh Tavern bakery.
Eventually my son returned, grinning, because he was stopped by a sentry.
He merely whipped out his dragoon enlistment papers and one of the sentries confirmed that he had seen him there training, so they let him go.
Drumhead Church Service
The next morning, we attended a drumhead church service within the Capitol walls.
Commandeered horses
Soon afterwards Tarleton commandeered some horses from a carriage.
British officer feast of thirty dishes
That afternoon, we returned to the encampment where dinner was being served, and served, and served…three courses, with 10 dishes each!
One dish was served at a time, allowing time for talk, and an hour later the food was still coming!
This guy was hilarious! In between news from the war, he told tall tales galore of his hunting expeditions. We were laughing, laughing, laughing!
Eavesdropping: Cornwallis strategizing with his aids to capture Lafayette
After the feast, we went to the Courthouse and to overhear Cornwallis’ strategy meeting with his aides, and Tarleton.
They were devising a plan to trap Lafayette.
At the end of the day, the British packed up camp and marched out of town.
Huzzah to the reenactors!
I tip my hat to all the actors and reenactors who persevered in those wool uniforms in this extreme heat, to provide us with an incredible experience.
They endured 100+ degrees to bring out the horses again for Cornwallis, his aides, Tarleton, and the Dragoons to lead the British army out of Williamsburg.
Another great event, another round of creativity, another great set of memories. Huzzah!
Comments from my old blog
Ross Miller July 23, 2010 at 6:44 PM –I’m the red-faced Redcoat at right foreground in your 5th picture. It’s wonderful to see how much you appreciated the experience, thank you for the feedback! I hope your children/students do have life-changing memories of their visit. It makes the time and expensive of traveling all the way from California and the “adventure” of braving heatstroke all worthwhile!
Since I am “on duty” all during the event, I don’t get to see it, so your journal is that much more appreciated. I wondered what Tarleton looked like! I never saw him even while standing 20 feet in front of him–my duty was to watch for troublesome rebels in the crowd.
God Save the King!
