Twin Forts Day 2012

The morning is Oct. 6^th and it is 1777. You are at the stone fence, and your world is about to change forever. It is a cool crisp autumn morning and the sun has just begun to burn off the fog.  You stand ready with 99 of your brothers in arms at a stone fence waiting for an enemy you cannot see.  Your officers encourage you to stand tall in the face of danger. “And for God’s sake,” they say, “load your weapon fast.”  A picquet jumps out of the brush to your side and points behind him. There is a flurry of orders and everyone is told to make ready. Your heart is pounding, sweat drops off your face, and you can feel yourself shaking.  Your notice your blue cuffs are still clean compared to the militia man’s work smock next to you.   Brown and blue, you think, it really is a beautiful uniform.  Pulled from your thoughts, the officer screams, “PRESENT!” Your eyes focus on the trees ahead. Red shows through the trees wherever you look.  Thousands of red soldiers marching towards you. They’re getting closer. Steady now.  “FIRE!”

Twin Forts day commemorates the Battle of Fort’s Montgomery and Clinton where roughly 600 American soldiers from the 5^th New York Regiment and the Ulster and Orange county militias put up a gallant but futile resistance against an onslaught of over 2,100 British, Loyalist, and Hessian troops.

On October 6^th 2012, 235 years to the day, we remembered the sacrifice and bravery our men with more musket fire, tactical demonstrations, children’s musket drills, 18th century cooking expositions and simulated fort life.   Tour guides from the 5^th New York Regiment gave the public fuel for their imagination as they lead them to the hotspots and places of daily life in 1777. Smiling faces and kids picture’s being taken with soldiers brought a great feeling to the day before the battle took place around 4pm. It got pretty hot out there as the American piquets ran back with reports of approaching redcoats! Firing commenced and jeering was heard over the sounds of muskets flaring to life. “Bloody lobster backs! Take that back to king George!” we yelled.

Eventually we fell back and fought at the “north redoubt” watching our flanks and foreground as the British approached. Cannon’s fired, muskets cracked, and the public cheered our resistance!  Alas, it we were no match for the overwhelming numbers and the British entered the fort. It was indeed a great show!

We’d like to thank the Fort Montgomery Battle Field Association and Fort Montgomery site operators for an amazing event!   Also, a very special thanks to our allies at the 2nd New York Regiment, Lambs, and Mott’s Artillery and our opponent loyalists and redcoats!  I saw the 63^rd, Butler’s rangers, the 52^nd, a man from the 23^rd and a walk on with 23^rd facings. If I forgot any other I apologize I was too busy reloading!

Welcome to the 5^th New York Regiment blog!  Here you will find the latest news and upcoming events as well as articles on 18^th century life and times. Education is our purpose and there is no better way to learn then seeing through the eyes of the soldiers and civilians who fought and built such a great nation.  Thank you for joining us.                                                    ~Private Christophani