Ringwood State Park, part of the New Jersey State Parks Department, hosted its second summer British Victorian event.  The Royal Sussex Society was joined by the Pretoria Kommando on the 19th of August, 2007, to hold the first British Victorian tactical reenactment in the North Eastern part of the United States!  An 1880's Boer War style skirmish scenario was played out four times during the afternoon while visitors to Ringwood Manor mingled with the ladies and soldiers of both camps.  The event began, officially, at 11 A.M. and ended at 4:30 P.M. just before it started to drizzle.  The next day was thoroughly rainy and we were glad that the overcast skies held out long enough for us to make a most memorable and enjoyable day at Ringwood State Park.

The Boer contingent, lead by Veldkornet Johan Kurtz (Anthony Sattilaro, Pretoria Kommando), had established a small camp at the far end of Sally's Field.  It was separated from the Manor and the British camp by a small stream, pond, and hill on which the Manor was built.  The Boer camp was obscured from the British camp by trees and bushes--natural defenses and ideal for the guerilla nature of late Victorian colonial conflict.

The British force, lead by 2nd Lt. John V. Arthur (John Van Vliet, Royal Sussex), was a mixture of scarlet and khaki, reflective of the transitional times that the 1880's presented.  The camp featured a tent, display of uniforms, arms, and accoutrements, fire pit, and, of course, the Union flag.  

The Royal Sussex's Ladies Committee and guests set up a picnic and tea party on the Manor property not far from the British camp.  Most visitors who came to the house were met by them first.  The picnic was also an objective of the Boers' designs: capture the ladies, make their demands against Her Majesty's Government.  In the first of four tactical scenarios, the Boers did manage to evade the British and took tea with the Anglo women while the soldiers were routed on Sally's Field.  In the last scenario, the ladies were taken once more and brought to the Boer camp as hostages.  Audacity, boldness, and calculation saw to a successful British rescue operation which sent the Boers packing.

The tactical scenarios started roughly hourly.  A bugle call of one long blast was a signal for the commanders to meet and discuss what would take place.  Two bugle blasts indicated that the scenario was to begin within 15 minutes (often times sooner).  The bugle was a useful means of communication and signalling because the two camps were quite out of earshot and to ensure that everyone had a good, safe time, a short discussion prior to each skirmish was necessary.

Britons - John V.V., Brian G., John K Sr., John K Jr., Michael G., Dan P.
Boers - Anthony S., William W., Keith A., Paul J., Ray W.
Civilians - Sharon A., Vivian D., Amanda P., Tina I., Linda K., Ellie C., Richard B.
Geographic Description: Manor sits atop a hill. Ladies picnic established in the shade to the right of the manor, British encampment on the front grounds, to the left. Before the Manor, a long hill, terminating to a stream and pond, crossed over by two foot bridges and passable on the right. Much foliage grows around the water, naturally. Beyond the stream, a broader field, punctuated by a few scattered trees and rocks. At the far right corner, the Boer camp was to be found.

Tactical #1
British Objective: Defend British ladies, overrun Boer camp
Boer Objective: Capture British ladies, defend Boer camp
Victor: Boers, all objectives met
All British soldiers deployed in aggressive offense, leaving no camp guard. Boers reached British camp and the ladies undetected, taking tea with them, as the British force was pinned down and ultimately destroyed in a magnificent, yet disastrous, frontal assault.

Tactical #2
British Objective: Defend British ladies, overrun Boer camp
Boer Objective: Capture British ladies, defend Boer camp
Victor: British, all objectives met
An alert, strong British patrol at the camp kept the Boers at bay while a right flanking force was sent down to harass the Boers near the far bridge. Leaving a small guard at camp, remainder of the British force took the center and left flank. Remaining Boers, overwhelmed, fell back in a hasty retreat. British overrun the Boer camp, pillage their biltong and some military equipment.

Tactical #3
British Objective: Defend British ladies, overrun Boer camp
Boer Objective: Capture British ladies, defend Boer camp
Victor: British, first objective met
British camp guard keeps repeated attempts to gain the heights at bay with controlled volleys. Concentrated firepower punches through Boer line near stream and Boers are taken captive. Boer resistance to capture following their commander's capitulation regretfully nullifies surrender and leads to termination of prisoners.

Tactical #4
British Objective: Rescue British ladies, destroy Boers
Boer Objective: Defend hostages, rout British force
Victor: British, first objective met
British force, while on exercise, is not present to defend ladies who are captured by Boer kommandos. They are taken back to the Boer camp when British force is alerted and draws up for plan of action. Boers begin firing on British sections descending the hill. Crossing the bridge relatively quickly, British force is pinned down. Right and center sections lay down heavy fire, advancing in sectional rushes. Boer fighters, distracted, are moved upon by the courageous Cameron Highlander, Private Peer. Center section pushes forward as surviving Boers retreat, abandoning their camp and the women. L. Cpl. Arrington reaches the women as Heer Kurtz escapes off into "Portuguese Territory." Arrington's gold laurels soon after tarnished for unauthorized execution of the Orange Free State Kommando and he now awaits court martial.

While the Royal Sussex is primarily an 1880's portrayal, the Pretoria Kommando allows us to demonstrate a Boer War style combat scenario for the public.  As far as we can tell, this is the first event of its kind in this part of the country and we look forward to hosting and participating in more Victorian events in the future.