East Jersey Old Town Occupation Shines Through the Rain

Once again the 35th Regiment was delighted to attend the East Jersey Old Town Village British Occupation event in Piscataway.  The idea, like last year, was to present a colonial town that was occupied by British and loyalist forces.  While Saturday had intermittent rain, we were still able to carry out activities and talk to the visitors.  We tip our bearskins to Ray H. of the 4th Battalion NJ Volunteers Loyalists and the site staff for hosting the event. Saturday was a little rainy on and off (English weather!), but it seemed like the turnout was bigger than last year despite that. The idea was to showcase the crown forces side of the Revolutionary War and what a New Jersey town hosting or occupied by the troops would be like. The program had guard mounting duties, drills on the green, musket demonstrations, and cannon firings during the morning and afternoon. We were also delighted to be invited to join the tea party, whose gracious hostess talked about the history and culture surrounding coffee and tea in colonial America and England.

The site is a collection of historical buildings which have been preserved, framing a central green (or parade ground, depending on your perspective).  Below is a list, provided by Ray, of the units represented during the weekend.  Photos have been shared by Rebecca Cataldi and Jeff Bross.
Royal Artillery 4th Battalion. Capt. Anderson's Company (Lamb's)
Brigade of Guards, Grenadier Company
15th Regiment, Light Infantry Company
35th Regiment, Grenadier Company
42nd Royal Highland Regiment, Grenadier Company
4th Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers, Capt. Hayden's Company
Von Wreden's Company of Hessian Feldjägers
Von Preuschek's Company of Hessian Feldjägers
Infanterie Regiment Von Donop
Rhode Island Regiment (posing as Dunsmore's Ethiopian Regiment of Virginia)
2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helm's Company (who drilled as Loyalists)