Some Rev. War Oddity

I think because the WW2 reenacting scene is filled with younger people, there is generally more enthusiasm. A great deal of people who are young in the WW2 hobby sometimes put more effort into researching their impression, adding some extra "oomph", and actually "acting" while in the battlefield. This does include over dramatic deaths. 

Now that I recall, in all of my 8 years of reenacting, I haven't seen any one actually act. Its called reen-acting for a reason... right? At any of the battles. I've seen commanders leading their unit with balloons tied to their back, but I've never seen anyone yet to get really fun. I think if the young crowd came into Revolutionary War reenacting, there would be fake arms flying in the air, blood packs hidden under the sleeves of clothing, and some great screams. 

So you can imagine, that when I saw Heimerich screaming and hobbling over from at a great distance, I was 99% convinced that he had actually twisted his ankle or broke something out on the field. Sweat tickled my forehead. "Is that guy joking?" I looked to the spectator next to me and we both seemed to be dazed. It wasn't until a few moments, Heimerich got closer and I sighed. If it was a WW2 reenactment, I probably wouldn't have paid any mind to this at all! I was wondering why Heimerich and our Feldjager friend instantly got up though. (When you die, you're suppose to stay down. 

Reality, you know? At least until the battle is over and the dead rises.) Apparently a calvary rider had told them to get out of the way. No room for fun, right?

Mutiny for Ansbach-Bayreuth

Ansbach-Bayreuth Regiment

Troops Marching out of Ansbach

In 1777, on the 10th of March, the Ansbach and Bayreuth regiments had a bit of a spat. Fueled by alcohol and anger (homesickness, did not want to be in the army, conditions), a group of Ansbach Hessians disembarked the ship and refused to leave their spot. The Jager Corps were ordered to take a post on some heights and fire shots to intimidate the rebels. Fire was returned, and some rebels were wounded in their legs. This lasted for about two hours, and in the process the city was blocked off and drawbridges were raised. In his diary, Private Dohla says that because of this incident, there was a great antipathy between them and the Jagers, which even continued until after the war. 

Warning: Do Not Mix Hessians with Heat

Many new camp followers and soldiers alike didn't really understand why the "veteran" reenactors were telling them why they were so lucky. The Battle of Monmouth is infamous for hot weather, humidity and sun-- all which are a reenactor's worst friend. The heat during previous events have caused heat exhaustion, sickness, and even some of the horses to collapse during battle. Reenactors don't joke around when it is a hot Monmouth. Commanders tripple check that everyone has a full canteen, and extra bottles of water hidden away.

 So, you can bet that everyone was thankful and pleasantly surprised that the hottest temperature lingered around a still cool 80s with some wind and partly cloudiness. 

The Hessians, however, never faired well when it came to the hot weather. Though the Hessians were nearly afraid and both fascinated by many things on their journey to America, the oppressive heat was something that some soldiers could not over come. 

Not only does this one little factoid help us understand how unacclimated the Hessians were to the weather here. Many Hessian diaries make notes of some of the first deaths in America. Johann Döhla's diary briefly mentions soldiers dying during or after some of their first marches. Another diary of the Grenadier Battalion von Minnigerode mentioned that the Anspach regiments had said that they had displayed their inability to march. When the English and Hessians were evacuating Philadelphia, meny men were killed by sunstroke. Alongside the heat, the mosquitos in New Jersey had made some of the soldier's faces swell pass the point of recognition. On June 25th, nearly a third of Hessians had been overcome by the heat, and just lay by the roadside. There were many deserters that day.

Luckily reenactments are another story. The Hessians now have good ways.

Battle of Monmouth 2013

I came back from a wonderful weekend at the Battle of Monmouth. It was just as beautiful as I remembered it. The sunrises, hazy sunsets, and romantic glow. I have plenty of pictures, and new things that I learned so I can share later with everyone. My sore legs still need rest, and my eyes still have lines under them for at least the next day or two. I took plenty of pictures to use along side blog posts for the future, even when I move. Heimerich and I decided that when we moved and got stable jobs, one day we will save our money to make it to Monmouth by driving or flying. I knew I would have to make trips back up north to be with my Jager family. 

I don't want to spoil the pictures, but I will at least share one more.