Historical Tidbits — Birth of U S Navy

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 13, 1775 — The acquisition of a fleet of ships that would become the United States Navy was authorized by an act of the Second Continental Congress. The …

Powers of Two – Defense of the Imperial System of Measurements

There is a lot of controversy over Imperial vs Metric units of measurement.  Let’s be totally honest, metrics based on base-ten measurement (ie metric) are much easier to use IN MODERN SOCIETY but this has not always been true.  Imperial metrics are historically significant and easier for preliterate societies to use.  In a society where …

Historical Tidbits — Battle of Valcour Island

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 11, 1776 – General Benedict Arnold engaged the British in a naval engagement off of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain.  Although defeated, the American forces inflicted significant damage …

Historical Tidbits — Royal Proclamation of 1763

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 7, 1763 — Royal Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George III, forbade all settlement west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains, which was delineated as …

Historical Tidbits — BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN

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 7, 1780 – BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN:  Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson of the 71st Foot.  Coming after a series of …

Historical Tidbits — Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton taken

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 6, 1777                Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton taken On October 6, 1777, the British Army, led by Henry Clinton, attacked Forts Montgomery and Clinton, supported by cannon fire …

Colonial Spymaster (#13) — Dead Drops

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 …

Historical Tidbits — Battle of Germantown

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 …

Colonial Spymaster (#12) — Disguises

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 …

US Marines in the American Revolution –The Evacuation of Fort Billingsport

2 October 1777 Defenses along the Delaware River were planned to protect Philadelphia, the capital of the new republic, against a possible invading naval force. Aware of these defenses, the British entered the Chesapeake and took the capital by the land route. By late September 1777, the enemy was in the rear of these defenses …