The main distinguishing feature of our new sergent's impression is the lace band around his forearm. The 1779 Reglemente says that his lace should be "a simple silver braid on the forearm," nothing that to make it stand out more on the white uniform it should be piped in the facing colour. For ours, that … Continue reading Sergent’s “Stripes”
Making Cartridges – Part 3
Welcome back- at last we've assembled our cartouches and loaded the giberne! And how, you might ask? With the template cut out... ...we place a lead ball in the top of the mandrel, and then roll it into the paper. We use the "hole" in the table to secure the paper around the ball. Then … Continue reading Making Cartridges – Part 3
Making Cartridges – Part 2
The next step in our reproduction cartouche (cartridge) making is the necessary implements to shape them! The instructions that we are following, which were issued in 1777 to the officers in charge of ammunition manufacturing, state that you need: - a "wooden mandrel, 7 inches long and 6 lines 9 points in diameter; these must … Continue reading Making Cartridges – Part 2
Making Cartridges – Part 1
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
Le Régiment Gatinois 