Bad weather compelled the Borough of Hawthorne to cancel this year's Memorial Day Parade. The Royal Sussex was looking forward to marching with our American and Italian allies. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.
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The Royal Sussex was represented by our president and commanding officer at the North Haledon Free Public Library. This was the third Society presentation held there, with our first being on the American Revolution and then the Victorian period. The discussion covered the overall "big picture" of the causes and prosecution of the Great War, with an emphasis on the Western and Italian fronts. The room was full and the audience had excellent questions. We were also visited by the County Historian who came to listen and afterward share some of the local history as it pertained to World War One. We thank the library director, Susan Serico, for all her support and for having us again at the library just ahead of Memorial Day. The annual Flanders Fields Commemoration ceremony was held in DeWitt-Clinton Park by the Flanders Delegation to the USA, the City of New York, Doughboy Foundation, and other entities. A wreath-laying ceremony accompanied by some speeches from the dignitaries remembered the sacrifices of so many who served in Belgium during the Great War. The Last Post was played by buglers to signal the end of the ceremony. Our host, Yves Wantens, General Representative of Flanders, graciously invited all the participants to a reception afterwards. In Flanders Fields John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.  In a slight departure from our normal events, we put our heads together to create something different - a hypothetical battle scenario. In a technical sense, then, nothing was "reenacted" but rather just "enacted." The Hempstead Light Guard, based in Old Bethpage Village, is seeing a resurgence. Created in the 1970s and 80s, this 1830s/1840s militia group apparently faded out by the turn of the 21st Century. One of the objectives our early Victorian 35th Regiment has had in mind for a while is to bring about skirmish events and with the resurrected Hempstead Light Guard, we had a great opportunity. Somewhat in the spirit of our Grand VIctorian Tactical, created in 2006, the 1839 Raid on Bethpage posits a "what if" situation, where the crises surrounding the Aroostook War of 1838 had not actually been diplomatically resolved. It is likely that Britain would have attacked the US in a manner similar to the War of 1812, descending on coastal targets and trying to disrupt the American economy. To that end, Old Bethpage Village was a perfect place to host such a scenario. The 35th Regiment would assume the role of raider, attacking the HLG which would defend the village. The scenario itself played out that our force was detected by a local woman, reporting our presence back to the town. A militia scout was sent ahead to confirm and the HLG marched to meet our advance. A brisk exchange of musketry took place, with the Guard falling back in a confused, fighting retreat back to the town. After clearing the town of the enemy, the American flag was taken down and the Union Flag was hoisted in its place. A proclamation was read out, informing the locals that martial law was now in place, but that they would be well-treated so long as they did not interfere or attempt to disrupt the army. Various smaller scenarios were played out over the course of the afternoon with both the public and our fellow reenactors. A patrol which strayed too far caught the attention of the enemy, resulting in a short exchange of musket fire before the situation resolved. Two townspeople were detained on suspicion of stealing (recovered) military equipment. At about 2:00, the Guard was reinforced and our ammunition supply was sabotaged. As the Guard marched toward the town, we attempted to ambush their force along the treeline, delaying and confusing their movements to allow time to regroup and commence an orderly withdraw out of the town and back to our anchored ships in Oyster Bay. We want to thank the staff at Old Bethpage Village, our wonderful 35th ladies and new friends, our partners and comrades in the Hempstead Light Guard, and all of our excellent 35th Royal Sussex soldiers. Many thanks to those who contributed photos, including Chris Lauterbach, Rebecca Cataldi, and Vivian Davis. 13th of April Morning, Boston '75 There was no need for a fraught night before action. Our serjents and officers of every kind ensured us ready to road at some wee' hour. No secret all of Boston resents us since we landed early, the rest of the lads expected here from Belfast na' June says the rumors. By and by we set out light as could be, all speed and haste the charge with no train and only what we could carry. Only us grenadiers and the lights, the hat co'y's sleeping back on Boston Common. Some of the boys from the Xth I marched with were telling bits of stolen arms and powder we're to requisition. All hushed by serjents and corporals, we're to be the colonials surprise. Seem'd we route stepped all night, not trusting me eyes sworn' I there were lights and whispers through the hollow. Hooves and shouts "they're coming..." is all I could hear through our midnight march. Right, well, by and by finally the sun rose as we arrived at Lexington Green. And I swear I took leave of my senses, but before us stood upward a hundred colonials. Armed the lot, firelocks and accutermonts all. If you could see the hate in their eyes as I saw you'd know too this would not be only dispersal. They weren't drunk or surprised, ne'r... they knew we were coming. A shot! That crack - a shout, silence for a heartbeat. We waiver. Fire! What we practiced in depot ad nauseum. Several provincials lay still. We push on, lights and grenadiers. Madness it all, havoc. I did what I do best. Prime! Load! Present! Quick March! Nigh on the heels of the 54th boys, we poured our fire on full rebels at this point. Kept to the road we did, wraiths in the mist 'round us they were. I saw their captain, a towering devil, right pointed at me it seemed and hot stuff surrounded. We ne'er drilled a retreat but we found ourselves in one. E'ry tree and stone had a musket behind it pointing at us. I pray tell providence smiled on me as with the rest of the lads trampled back to Charles Town Boston to retire. Now were barricading the road leading to Boston, Give the lads arriving next from Belfast to keep their wits about them when they arrive. Boston is soon becoming our own gaol. Your most humble servant, cap'n. Grenadier J. Gerber To try to get some A/V materials to promote the Dey Mansion Loyalist Weekend May 18 and 19, the 35th was invited over to do some mugging for the camera. The day prior had seen a horrendous downpour, but today had beautiful weather with dry grounds. Dey Mansion and Passaic County have some interesting ideas cooking up with it culminating in a few years for the 250th of significant events locally. We look forward to being a part of that, promoting and sharing our north Jersey Revolutionary War history! The 2024 Society meeting was held via Zoom. Overall, the meeting was efficient and stuck to the agenda with strong participation from the membership. Our Executive Committee was re-elected and reports delivered regarding the treasury, health & safety, our reenactment branches, old and new business. Dues remain unchanged. Constructive and friendly conversation covered a number of pertinent topics, and the Royal Sussex Society looks forward to an exciting year ahead!
For the second year in a row, the 35th Royal Sussex has returned to bring some British cheer to the Christmas Candlelight Tours at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Long Island. Our presence this time was somewhat nomadic compared to 2022, where we were based in the Kirby House with groups visiting us, and us venturing out from time to time. We had a strong turn-out of five ladies, one officer, and three soldiers. Lovely night weather, combined with the decorations and candles, made for another atmospherically magical evening. Throughout 2023, Mother Nature has been particularly antagonistic as far as event planning. August through October saw six consecutive weekends of rain and the earlier part of the summer was marked with rain, rain, and rain as well, almost always managing to put a damper on weekend events. Sometimes we got lucky that the rains can just after we packed up, and sometimes we got rained on. We were fortunate that November was not particularly soggy and we had two great Revolutionary War events at Ft. Tryon Park and New Bridge Landing with nice weather. Unfortunately, that streak was broken again. The Friday, December 1, Christmas Parade was a wash-out for Lord Donegall's Regiment, which was looking forward to making a reappearance since the COVID lockdowns began. So, alas, we have no pictures to show, nothing to report. We are, however, looking forward to Saturday, December 23, at Old Bethpage Village where our 1830s Victorians will once again join them for their Christmas Candlelight Tours. Fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate!  On Sunday, November 19, the 35th participated in what is Part Two of a two-day long Rev. War program commemorating the capture of Fort Lee and Washington's retreat across Bergen County to escape the advancing British. The museum and park at Fort Lee hosts an event on Saturday and some of the reenactors march from there to New Bridge Landing in New Bridge to continue the second part on Sunday. For us, we arrived Sunday with 3 soldiers and 3 ladies. We fell in with our comrades, the 43rd, 54th, Brigade of Guards, and 4th NJV for two skirmishes held during the day. The first, held in the late morning, saw a scrap begin on the far side of the bridge, eventually pushing the rebels over the bridge to the Von Steuben House. Here, we paused for a lovely lunch provided by the Bergen County Historical Society. We had a nice hot beef or lentil stew with rolls and butter. Just the thing for a chilly autumnal day. The army re-formed for the second demonstration. From here, we began by the Steuben House and pushed the rebels again, over the grounds, clear across the property to the Campbell-Christie House, and secured our victory as Washington and his men escaped to continue the Revolutionary War. This event is called the Retreat to Victory because Washington was able to evade the British and fight-another-day. This event is always a favorite of ours. The staff were very kind and put on a great venue which was well-attended by the public of all ages and backgrounds. We spoke with many, many people during the course of the event and found it a great way to wrap up the 2023 Rev. War season. We thank Rebecca Cataldi, Jeff Bross, and Sharon Van Vliet for these pictures. Also, check our Chris Lauterbach's YouTube channel for videos of the event. In fact, we'll just give you the links right here! Morning Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYnAxqXlA5o Afternoon Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuvrpYuA7sQ |
Captain's Blog
Overview of activity, events, and other news for the Royal Sussex Society. Archives
March 2025
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