Royal Sussex Society - 35th Regiment of Foot
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Society Officers 2023
    • Civilian Committee
    • Captain's Blog
    • In Memoriam
    • Links & Media
  • Contact
  • Schedule 2023
    • Ringwood Timeline - 2023
    • Victoria & Albert 1839 - 2023
    • Past Events
  • 18th Century
    • War of Spanish Succession
    • American Revolution
  • 19th Century
    • Napoleonic Wars
    • Early Victorian 1830s
    • Late Victorian 1880s

Battle of New York in New Jersey - Part II

9/18/2016

0 Comments

 
After Action Report by Kim Griffin

Sunday at Monmouth dawned grey with a threat of rain that, according to His Majesty’s scouts (and a few modern weather reports), would hold off at least until after the day’s battle.  The overcast sky allowed the Army to conduct a morning battalion drill without the sun beating down upon us.  After battalion drill, the 35th conducted its own regimental drill to keep ourselves sharp and ready.
 
Naturally, the sun came out bright and hot just in time for formation to march off to battle, as the sun is wont to do at reenactments.  The 35th was once again with the 42nd Highlanders under Sgt. McGivers, who was instrumental in leading our section to as much glory as we could get knowing that this was a battle we were ultimately intended to lose.  The 35th itself, under command of Sgt. Jicha, fielded seven muskets.  It was also Pte. Stimpfle’s first outing on the field of battle wearing 35th orange.  He acquitted himself well and “died” with honour.  We and the Highlanders gave the Rebels all we had while a nice-sized crowd looked on, and we held our ground until Col. Grenier gave the order to retreat.  Despite our loss Sgt. McGivers had very complimentary words of encouragement for all under his command before dismissing us, and the 35th regrouped at Camp Kish to cool off and take care of our muskets and kit.  As always, the 42nd is a delight to work with, and Col. Grenier kept our spirits high despite the heat.  A good day was had by all, and we look forward to our next outing.  Huzzah!

0 Comments

Battle of New York in New Jersey - Part I

9/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Monmouth Battlefield State Park in New Jersey is a large park with varied terrain, a newly renovated visitor center, and a lot to offer reenactors.  This year's "Big Three Event" (British Brigade, Continental Line, BAR) was a recreation of the 240th Battle for Long Island but held at Monmouth Park because there isn't much space left in NYC that hasn't been developed!  The 35th Regiment has participated in the Battle of Brooklyn event at Green-Wood Cemetery in the past, and this is actually a part of the historic battleground, in previous years.  This time, the Big Three aimed to stretch the imagination just slightly by moving it to another, albeit relatively nearby, larger site.

On Saturday, the captain was in command of a combined formation of grenadiers consisting of the 35th, 42nd, and 84th Highlanders under the very capable control of Sgt. McGivers of the 42nd.  We fielded a formation of about 16 muskets and were part of Colonel Grenier's 1st Battalion along with the Guards, 17th Regiment, and Light Infantry.  The campsite was excellently placed with convenient parking and ready access to water and Port-a-Pots.  The weather held up well, being dry and warm, but not stifling as Monmouth usually is.  In action, the grenadiers performed well, making the left wing of the British army.  We were staged in the fields behind the stream that cuts across the "amphitheater", marched across the narrow bridge, and made contact with the enemy.  Rapid deployments in echelon to the left caught the rebel flank.  Several good volleys made the push, allowing more reinforcements to pile in and join with 2nd Battalion to our right.  By pushing the rebel flank and pouring on fire, we gained the rising terrain and took the heights with a bayonet charge.  The grenadiers made a fine and cohesive team and we look forward to working with the highlanders again!  Glory and success to His Majesty's arms!

0 Comments

Spanish Succession Appearance at Crailo, NY

9/10/2016

0 Comments

 
Crailo Historical Site just south of Albany, NY, hosted a Harvest Fair event on a hot, sunny day in September.  The site itself is a house and museum which serves to educate people about the Dutch colony of New Netherland, which extended from New Jersey, Long Island, and up the Hudson to about this northern point.  The Dutch presence here was manifested in the form of the corporation of New Netherland, the Dutch West India Company, where furs and maritime commerce constituted the bulk of the settlements' trade.  Careful planning, clever business deals, and a spate of good luck meant that most Dutch colonists were pretty well off compared to some of the English settlements which were beset with Indian wars and periods of starvation.  In 1664, at the conclusion of the Anglo-Dutch War, New Netherland was taken by England and named in honor of the king's brother James, Duke of York.

In 2016, visitors from the area came to see some displays about European and Indian life in 17th Century New Netherland.  John V.V. went to visit with Dawn E., of the Scions of Patria historical group in the uniform of the regiment's first overseas service, the War of Spanish Succession (1702-1715), which was not tremendously different from the uniforms employed in the 1690's.

The site was well attended with demonstrators doing period cooking, crafts, military exercises, selling items, and the site was very kind in providing free ice cream and drinks--something much welcomed given the heat.  All in all, a pleasant excursion!

0 Comments

    Captain's Blog

    Overview of activity, events, and other news for the Royal Sussex Society.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    November 2019
    April 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly