Author Archives: Michael Carver

Hang around any group of reenactors and you will always see them with a haversack.  Even though most of us throw our car keys and wallet in there, it’s not a purse.  It’s an essential piece of military kit that dates back to the Middle Ages.  The haversack gets its name from the Dutch word …

Continue reading “What the Hell is a Haversack?”

We are on the eve of a very important election.  Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution.  The comment tab is open.  Please share your …

Continue reading “Federalist #6: Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States”

If you make your tent out of ordinary “canvas” you are going to get wet in the rain.  Canvas is a stout cloth, probably named after cannabis (Latin: “hemp”), made by tightly weaving material, mostly cotton, wool, and linen. This definition has not been that precise forever since the word canvas has come to signify …

Continue reading “Every Wonder Why We Call it a “Duffle” Bag?”

When Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River in 1535 in search of the Northwest Passage, he met 50 canoes filled with Micmac Indians, who signaled a desire to trade by waving furs on sticks. This began the very fruitful trade between Canada’s First Peoples and the Europeans, first the French and later the …

Continue reading “October 1666, King Charles II Granted an Audience to Two Men Who Would Build a Huge Fur Trading Empire in North America and Eventually Lock England in a World War with France.”

A common procedure used by spies to pass information to their contacts is through the use of a “dead drop.” The spy places the message in a prearranged unattended location, often hidden, and leaves it. Later, his or her compatriot will come and collect the message. Using a “dead drop” means that the spy and …

Continue reading “Colonial Spymaster (#13) — Dead Drops”

We are on the eve of a very important election.  Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution.  The comment tab is open.  Please share your …

Continue reading “Federalist #5: Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence”

We are all familiar with The Stamp Act of 1765 which was a tax on all paper documents levied on American colonists in order to pay off debt from the Seven Years’ War (1756-63).  Coming in the midst of economic hardship in the colonies, the Stamp Act aroused vehement resistance.  Parliament pushed forward with the …

Continue reading “Precedent for the Stamp Act”

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. October 4, 1777                Battle of Germantown After taking the American capital, British General Sir William Howe positioned two brigades and a contingent of Hessians troops in Germantown.   Much like …

Continue reading “Historical Tidbits”

If you are routinely going places where the enemy discusses, either intentionally or unintendedly, matters of military or political significance, you may wish to remain anonymous.  To do this, spies employ disguises.  The most common disguise is to simply change your clothes.  Sometimes soldiers sent on reconnaissance missions would wear civilian clothes such as when …

Continue reading “Colonial Spymaster (#12) — Disguises”