This weekend, a small detachment began the work on a project we've been researching for a while….reproduction cartridges. The first step is, of course, casting the lead musket balls! The main difficulty is the twin nature of molten metal and toxic lead, so appropriate safety precautions (as seen here) were an essential - but otherwise … Continue reading Making Cartridges – Part 1
An Army Marches on its Stomach
The oft-toted phrase "an army marches on its stomach" was very much the case when the French arrived in America. Expédition Particulière, commanded by Rochambeau, spent much of 1780 and 1781 in New York and Rhode Island, and research by Dr Selig has shown that these 4-5 thousand soldiers went through 8-10 wagon loads of … Continue reading An Army Marches on its Stomach
Could You Survive the American Revolution?
We're very excited to be able to share the result of our media collaboration earlier this year! Episode 2 of Survive History's "Could You Survive in the Revolutionary War Militia?" features an interview with our Caporal and Chair, Rory, alongside some wonderful footage of our grand tenue (parade dress), and our drill "in action". https://youtu.be/A8HB3WlMXqI?t=1265
Just Marching About?
https://videopress.com/v/0YIQMywA?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true We're absolutely thrilled that High Peak 1 got this footage of us drilling during #buxtongeorgianfestival at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. The soldats are demonstrating the Stechschritt (or "piercing step") which was becoming progressively more popular across Europe in the mid-late eighteenth century, as a result of Prussian successes under Frederick the Great. Its obvious … Continue reading Just Marching About?
2025 Buxton Georgian Festival
We were absolutely delighted to end our 2025 season of public events at #buxtongeorgianfestival, hosted by the marvellous team at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust! Not only was it a valuable opportunity to conduct some training for our soldats, our growing number of civilians had a wonderful time interacting with many lovely visitors, who were interested … Continue reading 2025 Buxton Georgian Festival
Un soldat en marche en Amérique / A soldier on the march in America
Photo by kind permission of Skipping Red Panda
Caption Competition
Here we see the Caporal with his signature (French?) look of disdain...but what has attracted his ire this time? Our favourite suggestions included:- “Who left the cheese out in the sun?”- "Did someone use the wrong glass for the wine?"- "Soldat Saintpierre, again!" Photo by kind permission of Pat Patrick
Drill…again!
Every army had to teach its men to load and fire its muskets: the British had their 1764 Manual Exercise, and the French had the 1776 Ordonnance de Roi. In this image, we can see the soldats at the first step - "chargez vos armes". They are about to be ordered to "ouvrez le bassinet" … Continue reading Drill…again!
Les soldats en piquet recherchent la chaleur / Soldiers on guard duty seek warmth
Photo by Emma Norfolk
Le Soldat Mécontent?
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one reenactor in his time plays many parts. At first, the recrue, with his borrowed uniform and shining morning face, creeping like snail semi-willingly to drill. Then, the experienced soldat, full of strange oaths, … Continue reading Le Soldat Mécontent?
Le Régiment Gatinois 