Jan 23, 2010

10Th Anniversary USCT Room Celebration



This year marks the 10Th Anniversary of the United States Colored Troops Room in the Civil War and Native American Museum at Veterans' Park, in Hamilton Township. The room displays artifacts, documents, and pictures about the 209,000 USCT's, African-American solders and sailors, who fought freedom in the American Civil War. It is maintained by the 6th Regiment Infantry USCT, Reenactors, Inc. (6th USCT) On Saturday February 6Th from 12 to 4PM, the 6Th USCT will host a public celebration at the museum located at 2202 Kruser Rd. Visitors are welcome to view the museum collection and learn more about the history of true freedom fighters. For more information contact us at 6thusct@gmail.com or call 609-915-7148

Jan 15, 2010

New York Historical Society Living History Days


New York Historical Society

The 6th Regiment USCT will appear for Living History Days at NY-H
event submitter - Cpl Brooks
Contact - 6thusct@gmail.com
event website - New York Historical Society
When
Monthly from 10:00 to 16:30 on day 16 Eastern Time
Where
170 Central Park W New York, NY 10024 (map)

Jan 13, 2010

Patriots Week After Action Report

 
We've wrapped up another year of reenacting which, for the 1st Rhode Island, culminates with the Battles of Trenton and Patriots' Week.

Washingtons  Crossing



The 1st Rhode Island represented Revolutionary War soldiers of African descent throughout the Patriot's Week celebration. Leon Brooks  and Noah Lewis attended the reenactment of Washington's  Crossing. Noah, who portrays Ned Hector, a black Continental soldier, crossed in a Durham  boat in this years successful attempt. Leon Brooks stayed on shore.  


Battles of Trenton



Sunday morning, on the 27Th,the troops formed up at the Old Barracks for the First Battle of Trenton. 1st Rhode Island Regiment(1RI) formed up with  other units to portray Glover's Regiment of sailors and New England regiments. Seven RI participated, making for a strong representation of the free men of African descent who had  fought in this regiment.

 

The Battle of Trenton is a street fight where the battle is fought in the streets of the town rather than out on a battle field. The audience is right up close to the action, watching from the sidewalk as the troops march and fire through. the streets. The action was crisp, the troops firing musket volleys by ranks (lines) and peeling off to the sides so that the next rank can fire.  Shouts of "huzzah!! arose with intermittent cannon blasts that resounded through the streets, setting off car alarms. Smoke from cannon and musket fire wafted though the street. We burned through a lot of powder, which always makes reenactors happy.  After the battle The troops paraded back to the Barracks to the cadence of the drums.  1RI returned to the Old Barracks' armory room and prepped our weapons, so they would be in good working order for the second battle - replacing broken flints, brushing and wiping down musket parts.  

Reenactors were served a hardy lunch at the Masonic Temple. During the break many took time to make purchases from sutlers (vendors) of period clothing, equipment, and other items. At 1:30 afternoon we formed up for a memorial ceremony for the fallen Hessian's in the Battle, and marched to Mill Hill park for the Second Battle of Trenton

 

Despite the  cold, there was a good turnout for the day's events. After the last battle the troops marched we returned to the Barracks to clean and stow our weapons and equipment. I headed to the Continental Inn in Yardley to join Glover's Regiment. There, to the amusement of the regular patrons', we celebrated the days events, lifting our voices singing old sea shanties, and drinking ale brewed by the owner according to a 200 year recipe. Arr! It don't get better than this, mate!

 

African Americans in the American Revolution Presentation 


Old Barracks staff and 1st Rhode Island Regiment member Fred Minus gave a presentation on the military contributions of black soldiers at the Masonic Temple on Monday of Trenton's Patriots' Week. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the topic of Africa-American military history. In his presentation he provided insight into the motivations of blacks to fight, tying in the impact of the ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence, and the events on free and enslaved blacks. He described the outcomes of black veterans who fought for this country's or their personal freedom, many of which had to face re-enslavement, prosecution, or had to evacuate with the British. The presentation dripped with delicious tidbits of information about the impact of the American Revolution on slaves seeking freedom in the South, revolts in the Caribbeans, and how the experience of blacks fighting in this war contributed to motivating blacks to fight in the Civil War, 80 years hence. You say you never heard about any of this? Surely not! Like many in attendance, you were probably absent the day it was covered in your American History class. 

Jan 1, 2010



Reenactment of Hand's Engagement

Reenactment of a Rev War engagement by Colonel Edward Hand to Delay the British and allow Washington to escape Trenton to attack Princeton. Hand's march starts at the Lawrence Township Municipal Bldg.
event contact: William Agress - 609-895-0099
or Steven Groeger 609-844-7067
When
Sat Jan 2 10:00 – 12:00 Eastern Time
Where
2207 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrence Township, NJ (map)