The era of the steamboat began in America in 1787 when John Fitch made the first successful trial of a forty-five-foot steamboat on the Delaware River on August 22, 1787, in the presence of members of the Constitutional Convention. Fitch later built a larger vessel that carried passengers and freight between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey. …
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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. August 21, 1777 General Howe enters Chesapeake and lands 16000 men The largest armada ever assembled in America set sail off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It was carrying …
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Battle of Fishing Creek — August 18, 1780 One of the most lopsided defeats for the Americans in the War for Independence came in 1780 in South Carolina at the Battle of Fishing Creek. At dawn, when it was clear that the British were forming ranks to attack, Maryland and Delaware regiments received orders from …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — The Incredible Fear the British Bayonet Charge Creates”
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. August 16, 1787 – BATTLE OF CAMDEN: Despite the proliferation of dysentery among his men, General Horatio Gates engaged General Charles Cornwallis’s army at Camden, SC. The American Army …
On August 15, 1620; the Mayflower and the Speedwell set sail for VIRGINIA. Unfortunately, after only about 200 miles in the rough waters of the north Atlantic, the Speedwell sprang began taking on water and had to turn back. The decision to abandon the Speedwell and transfer many of its passengers onto the Mayflower set …
When most people think of science, they envision people cloistered away in labs working mostly with other scientists. This has never been the reality. Learning is a social activity the demands you communicate with others. In the 18th Century, this certainly took the form correspondence win notable journals and publications like the Proceedings of the …
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The acquisition of indentured servants and slaves began with the earliest days of the settling of America. Before 1680, the most common form of bound labor was the white indentured servant. Up to two-thirds of the English migrants who came to Virginia between 1630 and 1680 arrived in servile status. In return for the cost …
When George Washington choose his uniform, he could have literally chosen any color scheme, so why buff (tan) and blue. The choice was not arbitrary. The Whig party in England (not to be confused with Andrew Jacksons divisive party in the 1830’s) had been standing against the abuses of the crown since 1688. Their rallying …
This is intended as satire, not advice…. I know many are frustrated and angry with today’s dysfunctional politics. Many are wont to engage in violence but as the Regimental Brewmeister, I would be remiss in not pointing out a solution (pun intended) from history — distilled spirits. Not only do these elixirs have the ability …
Continue reading “A Solution to MAGA: How Alcohol Could Defeat the Antichrist (AKA Trump)”
I know lots of you struggle with the idea of civil disobedience. Marches are easy but ineffective and easily ignored. Boycotts require enduring a bit of inconvenience and difficulty often equal to the effect they have on their intended target. None of these are good excuses for disengaging from the struggle but sometimes we need …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 