This past weekend was the 242
nd
anniversary of the
Battle of Hubbardton in Hubbardton, Vermont. The
battle is usually described as being the only battle fought in the
now state of Vermont, though there were other skirmish level actions
in several areas.
 |
| Warner's Regiment forming up. |
I didn't get many photos, as my family
schedule sort of jumbled my weekend, and when I was on the
battlefield, I was either drilling or keeping track of my children.
My daughter did manage to get a few photos though.
Since we live close by, we swung by the
event on Friday night to set up our tent and chat quickly with
everyone. On Saturday morning, Gabriella and I returned, this time
with one of her chickens in tow. Earlier this year, she had asked if
she could raise chickens. One of the breeds that we chose, the
Dominique, is actually a heritage breed, appropriate to our time
period. She's been dying to take one of her babies to an event, and
since we were close by, we figured this would be a good one, as we
could quickly return home if there was any trouble.
 |
| Chicken Rose, hanging out with the distaff. |
Saturday
morning the unit spent time drilling, working both on the Manual of
Arms, and our movements across the field, while a few other units
played out a small skirmish on the hill. There was also a bit of
time for shopping, though sutler turnout was low this year, with
about half the number of vendors as what I'm used to seeing
there.
In the afternoon, the main battle for the day was
scheduled. We were issued powder, and had started to gear up when
the order was given to put everything under cover. To the north, the
sky had turned very dark, and a low rumble of thunder could be heard.
Soon the wind picked up, the rain started falling, and the
lightening started to flash. Many of us huddled under the dining
fly, watching the storm, and, ironically, enjoying the wind as it had
been incredibly humid all day.
Unfortunately, the weather
caused the battle to be cancelled.
 |
| Moving into formation. |
One of the things that the
public does not see in this hobby is what happens after hours. Once
the sky cleared, and a few small units had gone out to skirmish for
fun, a memorial service was held at the top of the hill. Our
Chaplain, once again, read a great sermon, remembered not only the
Americans who had fallen at Hubbardton, but also the British and
German soldiers who had fought and died far from their homes. One of
the most emotional points of the service was when the names of those
in the hobby that we had lost in the past year were called out.
Moments like these, out of public view, really show what a small
community reenactors have.
 |
| Rose, entertaining the gathering. |
After the main memorial service,
Warner's Regiment held our own Toast to the Fallen. Each year, at
events where we are reenacting on the same ground as those we
portray, we hold an issuing of rum, and a toast to those men who had
been killed, wounded, and captured in service to the country.
Hubbardton was a bloody action, and several of the original Warner's
men had fallen there. These toasts are solem occasions, but I'm glad
that I get to be a part of them.
 |
| Off to do some drilling. |
Sunday, for me, was a quick
day. Due to a last mintue family scheduling change, I had to miss
the morning battle, which was the actual reenactment of the Battle of
Hubbardton, fought exactly 242 years after the real battle. The kids
and I were able to make it over to the battlefield by around 10:30,
but the kids were too demanding of my time for me to take the field.
We did have a good visit, though, and Gabbi's birds provided
entertainment for both the unit and the visitors.
 |
| Rose takes me for a walk. |
