Cold Stone

 

Mar's building.

 As I marched through the sally port at Fort Ticonderoga for the first time, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. A bronze plaque placed at the entrance lists the names of those who have walked through the doorway: Washington, Arnold, Allen, Franklin, Montcalm, Carleton, Burgoyne, Andre and Fort Montgomery’s namesake, General Richard Montgomery, had all walked through this historic passage. 

The plaque of names.

Stepping inside, I took in my cold stone surroundings. I’d never seen anything like it. We brought our gear into the barracks building and each found a bunk.  Straw mattresses should make for a comfy night, I thought to myself. The commander called us outside; there is much work to be done! 

Firewood needed stacking and cutting and the flint and steel were fetched. Learning began in earnest as we watched one of our group strike a rock against a small piece of metal into a char cloth. It really made matches seem superfluous! The char cloth flared right up and a few minutes we had ourselves a hot fire. What a dichotomy that I had my first lesson in fire making at Oriskany at 6:00 in 100 degree heat, now I had lesson two at 30 degrees in the snow. 

We were surrounded by three massive stone barracks like buildings, walls high above our heads, and cannons lining every wall.  It is a breathtaking sight, to say the least, though before I can explore, the regiment is called to fall in; it is time for a patrol.

Preparing to set a fire.

“Flankers!” 1^st Sgt. Chris called, as a ranger-green clad Pvt. Neil and I run to out spot on the sides of the patrol.   We wandered into the King’s Garden and I took in the lay of the land. I was astounded when I was told that every hill in the ground that looks manmade probably was. Redoubts and earthworks lined the roadsides.

Going out on patrol.

We ventured down to a 19^th century boat house that was used as a dock for the ferries that once travelled Lake Champlain. Pvt. Neil and I ran ahead and secured the remnants of the building and gave the clear sign to the rest of the party. It was explained that the American bridge to VT wasn’t far from where we were. A French Battery was built on the hill next to us. 

Pvt. Neil with Vermont in the background.

We eventually came to the Pell playhouse and 1^st Sgt. Chris explained the Pell’s built this house for their children next to their mansion.  It is of log construction with glass windows and a log loft. The fireplace alone was impressive! To replicate today would cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Pell mansion stands not far off also in sad shape, but at least still holds its structural integrity. In its heyday, it was most certainly a proud building.  A blue historical marker in the front yard tells the story of Samuel Champlain fighting off Indians not far from this spot in 1609!

The Pell mansion with signage of Samuel Champlain.

The patrol ventured farther up the road and the conversation switched to the 42^nd Highlanders.  We head in the direction of their famous charge at the French lines and fire a volley or six along the way.  After practicing some light infantry tactics, we traversed the road and came to the zig-zag of the beautiful French Lines.  Used by Montcalm to stop a much larger British army in the French and Indian war, these earthworks are very well preserved after being rebuilt by the Americans during the revolution.  We headed into the woods and halted where the New York and New Jersey provincials were stopped at the abatis. 

The French Lines near the NJ/NY attack.

The 5th NY takes in the Highlander monument.

After a brief discussion of fortifications, we headed to the Highlanders monument, commemorating the futile charge the Scottish made against the French line. It was the most successful engagement of the battle but the French repelled them once they reached the wall. Here, there is a beautiful stone monument with rocks brought from Scotland. Our final stop on the grounds patrol sent us to the mass grave of the NY,NJ, and PA soldiers.  We fired off a volley in salute and made the trek back to the Fort.  On the way back I noticed redoubt after redoubt surrounding us.  It was an amazing feeling to be there.

The rest of our experience at Fort Ticonderoga involved cooking and duties that soldiers did 230 years and beyond ago.  Drilling and parapet firing practice tested and reinforced our skills.  At night, we had freshly baked bread and enjoyed a soldier’s stew over the fire. As I walked in the darkness around in the fort by myself, I thought that this was an experience I would never forget. 

Cooking a soldier's stew.

Once dinner and festivities were over, I closed my eyes for well-deserved sleep in the cold stone barracks with nothing but a candle lantern to light my bunk. I thought about all those men who had come here before me. I thought about the anger this place had felt, the passion of the men who fought here, and thanked God for the preservation work that has held this all together.  The powerful feeling this place caused was overwhelming.  I can only hope that the living history we do somehow comes close to representing what our men and women went through. May we never forget the bricklayers who built (and rebuilt) this fort.

And so concludes part I.  Stay tuned for the next days travels to Fort St. Frederic, Fort Crown Point, and a brief stop at Fort William Henry!

The Battle of Trenton

The day was cold and the rain froze us to the bone. On December 29, 2012, a couple hundred of reenactors and spectators gathered to remember and celebrate the Continental Army's victory over the Hessians and to mourn the passing of a long time Brigade of the American Revolution officer, Wayne Daniels. Regiments gathered from New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania to march through the modern day streets of Trenton. In one of the most interesting and integrating reenactments this blogger has seen, the troops in their 18th century clothing marched next to eager, modern-day spectators. The camp followers were impromptu security, walking the anachronistic line marked by the sidewalk and keeping the modern folk safe from musket fire.

The 5th New York was fortuinate enough to fall in with the kind gents of the 14th Mass Continentals, or more commonly called, the Marbleheaders. The troops marched forward to teach the Tories and Hessians a lesson!

The battle culminated on the park green where the 5th NY and 14th MA took the high grounds over the bridge. The troops successfully won the first battle, but the celebration was short lived. Once reformed in three blocks, the announcer said his condolences for the loss of the BAR founder, Wayne Daniels. Heartfelt and hurting, the troops fired off three volleys in respect. The troops marched back to the barracks for a break and lunch.

Credit: The History Girl

The second battle was just as successful as the first, if not a bit more soggy. The snow had turned to rain, and the perma-cloud above provided a perfect backdrop for the battle. The Continentals successfully defended the field and bridge against the oppressors. These two battles were a huge morale booster for the rebel cause and gave reason for majority of Washington's troops to reenlist.

It was a memorable time for all civilians and troops and continues to be a wonderful tradition.  We thank the tireless work of the BAR association and the memory of Wayne Daniels for giving us this amazing opportunity to relive such a poignant piece of history.

B.A.R. Fort Lee Retreat to Victory!

Good day everyone!

Well now that Thanksgiving is over I figured I’d give my AAR of the recent Fort Lee Retreat to Victory! 

Even though we are a New York Regiment, I am one of the few members who reside in New Jersey.  I often worked in Fort Lee as a contractor in my college years but never knew the story of what took place here.  This small city on the heights above the Hudson River tells a bigger story than just urban sprawl.  It was here that the great retreat started across New Jersey that eventually led to the banks of the Delaware River and Washington’s crossing.    

Fort Lee was designed to defend the Hudson River from British use by creating a field of cannon fire from above.  Together with Fort Washington on the Manhattan side, the American’s goal was to stop any British ships from heading north.  This was a sound plan until things began to deteriorate for the Americans.  Repeated losses at in New York caused the evacuation of most of the troops with only Fort Washington remaining.  The hope was that this fort would be able to withstand attacks and continue to serve its Hudson protecting service.

HMS Phoenix, Roebuck and Tartar, accompanied by two smaller vessels, forcing their way through a cheval-de-frise on the Hudson River with the Forts Washington and Lee and several batteries on both sides. The painting is a copy by Thomas Mitchell after the original rendering of the subject, a scene from the American Revolutionary War, by Dominic Serres the Elder.

On November 16, 1776 Fort Washington fell with most of its garrison captured. This was a major blow to the American cause as it rendered Fort Lee rather defenseless.    Three days later on the 19^th of November, Washington evacuates Fort Lee as the British land roughly 5,000 troops nearby.  And so begins the famous chase across New Jersey.  We will see how that ends!

I showed up to Fort Lee Historic Park and met with other members of the 5^th New York.  We ran into many friends that day from the other Regiments, some even as far away as Rhode Island!  We were there, the 2^nd NY, the 3^rd New Jersey, the RI boys, the 4^th Battalion NJ Volunteers, I want to say the 22^nd Regiment  Of foot?  Buff facings on red coats.  I also want to say Butler’s rangers as well as a handful of other Loyalists. There were also a few members of what looked like the 23^rd Welch Fusiliers and even some Hessians!  Always a pleasure to see the Hessians.   

Photo by Gary Vorwald

We talked with the public all day and did musket firing demonstrations and drills. A beautiful museum complemented the grounds.  Inside the visitor’s center were demonstrations and tables set up representing all walks of life during the revolutionary war.  Even George Washington’s map makers were there showing their skills in fine form.  Lamb’s Artillery was on hand and fired a 3 pounder, an 8 inch mortar, an 18 pounder, and 32 pounder cannons!   It was an excellent demonstration.  Mott’s Artillery repeated the firing the next day.  It is always a good show by the artilleryman.

By noon all of the regiments, Crown and Rebel alike, gathered and proceeded to march to the memorial in Fort Lee.  Dignitaries gave speeches and we all let off a massive brigade volley under B.A.R. commander Mark Hurwitz.  It was a spectacular volley!   Upon completion of ceremonies we had cider and donuts and headed back to the Historic Park for battle preparations!

As the bell chimed 3 o’clock the Americans formed up and decided it would behoove us to recapture our blockhouse from those pesky Brits and Tories.  Onward!

We advanced in line and at first a company of Loyalists came to meet us. Skirmishers were sent out on both sides as the general advance took place.  Shots fired and eventually when in range the Companies began volley fire.   Firing by sections gave a great show to the audience as the battle progressed and even with British reinforcements the Americans pushed them back into the blockhouse.   It was here they shut themselves in and we surrounded the building awaiting their surrender.

Photo by Gary Vorwald

The problem arose when they refused!   Luckily a soldier produced a grenade in an attempt to bust them out of the blockhouse!  Unfortunately for the Americans they also were waiting with a bucket of water and spilled it out on our grenadier!   A tough nut to crack!  With some cunning thought, an American solider placed his hat on a stick and stuck it towards the window in an attempt to distract the green coats while we infiltrated the bottom floor. 

Photo by Gary Vorwald

It was at this point I was shot in the shoulder and put out of commission! I do not know the outcome but was dragged away by another member of my regiment.

Sunday was smaller than Saturday but the 5^th had a good turnout and Mott’s artillery stole the show with their cannonade.

Overall the event was a smashing success and a blast for the public and reenactors alike.  This B.A.R. event was my first time here and most certainly won’t be my last!  The 5^th New York Regiment would like to thank all of the other Regiments and groups that attended this fine event and the B.A.R. for a stellar day!

Courtesy of the Fort Lee Historical Society