For months, now, rumors have been flitting, now this way, now that, concerning the existence of a company commanded by one Captain Drummond. This company was purportedly attached to the Queen's Loyal Rangers. (See "Is That an Echo I Hear?" The Loyal Gazette, Vol. 5 No. 4.) Yet, the muster roles and other documents relating to the Queen's Loyal Rangers quite clearly indicate that during the 1777 campaign, there were seven companies: The Colonel's, Major Zaddock Wright's, Captain Justus Sherwood's, Captain Jeremiah French's, Captain David McFall's, Captain Simeon Cavel's, and Captain Andrew Polmatier's. Nowhere do we find a trace of the elusive Captain Drummond.

After the retreat to Canada, the number of companies was reduced to 5: The Colonel's, the Major's, Captain Sherwood's, Captain French's, and Captain Francis Hogel's. Again no mention of the mysterious Captain Drummond.

Until now. In 1780, the Governor of Canada, General Haldemond, was agonizing over what to do with the fragments of Peters' Corps and Jessup's remaining from the debacle of 1777. What would otherwise have been a fairly straightforward matter of lumping odd companies and undersize battalions together to form battalions at full strength was rendered well nigh impossible by the internal politics of the Provincial Line. If two under strength battalions were reduced to one full strength battalion, one Provincial colonel would find himself without a regiment to command. The same applied to the captains, and to a lesser degree, to the lieutenants. As a concomitant, the displaced officers would have no place in the reformed army, and would be dropped from the payroll.

Small wonder, then, that General Haldemond put off the evil hour for as long as possible. However, by 1780 he no longer had a choice, and so decisions had to be made. In December 1780 he initiated the process of amalgamating the battalions, and also authorized the formation of two independent companies, one of which was to be commanded by the singular Captain Peter Drummond, and the other by a Captain William Fraser.

The next year, in November 1781, the process was taken to its conclusion, and a new battalion was authorized, to be called the Loyal Rangers. The commanders, or Major-Commandant, was Major Edward Jessup, who also commanded the first company. The remaining nine companies were, in order of seniority, commanded by: Captain Ebenezer Jessup (the Pensioners), Captain John Peters (lui meme) (the Invalids), Captain Justus Sherwood, Captain Jonathan Jones, Captain William Fraser, Captain John Jones, Captain Peter Drummond, Captain John Walden Meyers, and Captain Thomas Fraser.

In checking the biographical data available on Loyalist refugees in Canada, we find only one listing of a Peter Drummond. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1744, and had lived in New York at the outbreak of the war. He was a farmer, and died in 1820 in Carlton, Canada. So far, I have not been able to find any trace of him prior to 1780.

Thus, it appears that the only connection between Colonel Peters, the Queen's Loyal Rangers, and Captain Drummond, is that the survivors of the QLR were, some four years after the Saratoga Campaign, lumped together with the survivors of Jessup's Corps (the King's Loyal Rangers) and two independent companies, one of them commanded by the now not so elusive Captain Drummond, in a new battalion.

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce Wallace,

Peters' Corps

At Schroon Lake, on Sunday morning, our small division of the 2nd NY, 5th Conn, and Outwater's (NJ) Militia was under command of John Muller. However, John was practicing a little "Rotational Development" and offered the command the 2nd's Nick Finelli.

A NYC Cop by profession, Nick became obsessed with apprehending the spy, so accosted everyone he saw. As the lead division, this meant every time he did this, he halted the entire column. Needless to say this "delighted" our little army's commander.

At this point, I'd like to point out that when the men were told of the suspected spy, I suggested to my fellow high-privates in the rear rank who it might be. They were most impressed when I was proved correct.

Moving along, we were placed in the trees, along the paved road leading to the beach, just below the crossroads. This was a nice position to watch traffic or spring an ambush, but really not defensible. As the end man nearest the crossroads, I found this out as the 23rd came marching down the road!

I had a clean shot at Pete Ford, but I was having problems with a new flint --- and I miss-fired! We were quickly rolled-up and I was about to be cut off, when I pulled the trigger again! (While serving as a monitor at the first GTE, I learned how stupid taking that second shot is -- but I momentarily forgot.).

I accepted my death gracefully, sat down, and began fixing my gun. After being verbally abused by an over-zealous light infantryman, Capt-Col-Field-Marshall Ford (what was his rank at this event anyway?) offered me parole to join my comrades, but I declined, opting to fix my weapon. I fell back to the crossroads where I met a certain rifleman and a fellow named Will, from Polaski's Legion. The rifleman was physically unable to continue and had been left to cover the crossroads -- but Will and I had some fun.

I directed a few pot shots at the rear of the 23rd & 42nd and then we worked our way into the trees. Then, there it was, the uncovered madder red back of the infamous "Red Billy" Wigham. We sneaked up rather easily since Peters' Corps seemed rather occupied. At about 25 yards I fired! "Bill, you're dead" I cried out. "Oh, okay."

Moments later, back at the crossroads, my two new friends and I observed your unit walking back to camp -- obviously out of action and disgusted -- or so it appeared........but I digress.

After "killing" Bill, I suggested to Will that we find the main action. We eventually joined in with a bunch of stragglers and did put a few good volleys into the enemy before the scenario was called. However, the spy had been put ashore and was briefly detained at the crossroad. To my lasting regret I had not chose to remain there --- for I am sure, since I suspected her all along, I would have "shot" her on sight.

Oh, what about Nick and the remnants of the division? I later learned that he marched them headlong into a loaded artillery piece. Oh, well!

Phil Weaver (2nd NY)

Continental Consulting

Publisher of "The Colonial Chronicle"

On Saturday, September 21, Mark & Carol Cafazzo, Chris & Marcia Kennick, and I traveled to the Colonel John Ashley House located in the Southwestern corner of Massachusetts. The weather on Saturday was splendid. We set up camp with both the 24^th Regiment of Foot and the 53d Regiment of Foot. Both of these units served with Peters' Corps in the ill-fated Northern Campaign. In the first tactical, our objective was to press the doodles down a wooded lane, over a footbridge and back up to the Ashley House. This we accomplished without difficulty. Peters' Corps took a side path and out flanked the doodles and in the process, killed all the doodles who were manning a six-pounder. We took possession of the gun!! Our forces came off the trail and forced the doodles back where they faced intense fire from our unit upon their right flank. We decimated the remainder of the doodles and the Crown Forces captured General Bernier. We went after the fleeing doodles and drove them off. A resounding victory for His Majesty!!

We returned to camp and were treated to a wondrous dinner prepared most ably by Carol & Marcia. Roasted chicken, corn chowder, breads, fruits, and apple pie. Later that evening, we engaged the doodles again. We managed to lure the doodles down a trail and sandwich them between our talented unit and the rest of the Crown Forces. Peters' Corps went down the trail first at the quick step and skillfully hid in the wooded undergrowth for the doodles to come by. They obliged us with their incautious trail work - almost completely walking by us. Unfortunately, one of the quicker-witted doodles spied us, "the tree moved," and alerted his comrades. Alas it was too late for the doodles. We opened fire upon them and flushed them from the trail. We joined the remainder of the Crown Forces and pressed the doodles from a copse of trees in the middle of a field by screaming like Berserkers. They high-tailed it out of there. We flanked them on their right through the woods (they never learn from previous encounters) while our lads from the 24^th and the 53d Regiment of Foot forced them down another wooded trail into yet another field. Another victory for our side. We returned to camp sampled a delicious wine provided by the Cafazzzo's and some delicious ale provided by our appreciative allies, the lads from the 24^th and the 53d.

We awoke on Sunday to weather of a much different sort - rain. We ate breakfast then waited the weather out. We had a quick break in the light rain and engaged the doodles once again. However, in this scenario, we were to lose to them. This we accomplished, much to the delight of the crowd who displayed decidedly Whiggish sentiments at our difficulties. We noted among our forces that it was a good thing that the outcome had been decided in advance for the doodles, as they surely would have lost the engagement had they relied on their tactical "abilities."

In short, it was a great weekend. We had a quality site with little intrusions and made some new friends - the fighting 24^th and 53d Regiments of Foot.

Your servant,

Daniel Moraski,Adjutant

Peters' Corps

For those of us who could not attend the event at Pound Ridge, one must say a memorable occasion was missed. The foliage was coming to its peak of glorious perfection. There was about 10 minutes of rain before sunrise on Sunday morn which did no more than to damp down the dust.

There were a great many enthusiastic spectators who had the spirit. From my humble position it seemed that the only formidable opposition to His Majesty's Forces were some light Infantry from Mass. Bay. Led by a fiery Tailleur, they were everywhere and gave us more trouble than had been expected.

Towards the end of the first day's action, we were delighted to see their frustrated ambitions turned inwards upon themselves as a Hulking Brute identified by a deserter as one Chambre-laine, attacked his commander with shouts, vile blasphemies and insults and blows with his fists. The plucky Tailleur defended himself manfully until the other men in the unit pulled the thrashing duo apart. WE found this to be great entertainment and would have shouted our huzzahs but were too exhausted by the sharp action earlier.

The Loyalist forces were ably led by Mr. Braisted and Mr. Stevens who took every opportunity to punish the Doodles for their Insurrections. There were some British regulars present also, one hears.

A detachment of the excellent Regt. v. Specht was on hand which was interesting in that whereas so many units start as learning organizations and have to struggle (sometimes in vain) to achieve some semblance of good order and discipline, Herr Sergeant Runk's vision is obviously to start off right and grow from there.

On both days the volleys from the Loyalists were sharp and thunderous, often seeming as if only one trigger was being pressed. Although' this may seem to be a minor thing, unworthy of mentioning here, one hastens to point out that such volleys are based upon excellent training, sound experience, and a high level of morale which, of course, the Loyalist Forces possess in greater measure than those largely disinterested forces from across the water. All in all it was a weekend of meeting old friends and new acquaintances.

The action in the forest on Sunday morning was very interesting and totally different than the lineal operations of Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Peters' Corps took a commanding height of ground which was not seriously challenged by any of the Congressional Farces. We were led their ably by one of our Brothers of the Indian persuasion. The action ended in a Sauve Qui Peut by the Doodles who showed themselves are great sprinters while advancing to the rear. In this action, the Brave Congress people left behind the body of one Col. Patterson who was perhaps the only rebel to die with honor that day.

The overall Commander of the Crown Forces was Brigadier Beale who cut a dashing figure a spirited mount. No doubt he was much more efficient in controlling the ebb and flow of battle on horseback than the poor (dismounted) rebel officers.

Buying good and necessary items from the Merchants. Note: Roy Najecki has in stock the most excellent store of Goods including Russia Sheeting that must wear better than Denim (De Nimes) cloth for trousers, breeches, overalls, and a host of other things. The strong shoes he sells are reasonably priced and of good workmanship. This is not a plug for Roy, just an observation.

All in all it was a great event.

Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant,

Bill Wigham, Sergeant

Peters' Corps

There is little I could add of value upon Bill's most excellent account of this past weekend. I shall, however, give a recounting of Sunday Morning's activities, as they were of the war game variety rather than a public event.

Ed Moderacki planned an interesting scenario quite suited to the numbers present. In planning these scenarios, he always tries to give thought to situations that will not just end in slugging matches of two lines just blasting away at 100 feet. The scenario was to find a camp color within a (Very Big) designated area and defend it until 11:30. At that time the troops had to bring it back to their camp safely. Each soldier was only allowed 20 rounds to start the day at 10:00. At 10:45, each unit could send a runner back to camp to fetch ten more round per man. The Crown forces were commanded by Captain Vilardi of the 22d. Our division consisted of two strong heavy infantry companies the 22d and the 2d DeLancey's/4th N.J. Volunteers. We took a grand tour of the park without meeting anyone except one late arriving and slow footed Scott Blake. Sgt. Krentler led some spry men of the 22d and quickly captured him, taking from him all his cartridges.

If you captured or overran anyone, you could take their cartridges, an interesting twist! The Greens formed a perfect ambush for two mounted 3^rd Dragoons who were shadowing us, which was foiled by some tourists with cameras who thought we must have looked cute! Grrrr!!! We finally joined most of the Crown forces together still without meeting the vast majority of the Rebels (gives you an idea of how big the site is) until about 11:25 when we ran headlong into them, again ruining Scott Blake's morning. The 22d and Greens boldly marched straight at the fortifications set up by Lt. Col. Patterson and the Rebels. We slugged it out briefly until I ordered a charge by the two companies straight down the road, which broke the barricades and started one of the most incredible routs I have ever witnessed. It was 11:30 by this point so they took off with the camp color and we were running after them as quickly as possible. The Rebels lost all form of unit cohesion except for a handful of men gathered by Lt. Col. Patterson who did nothing more than die where they stood almost instantly. The Queen's Rangers, Peters Corps, 40th, 23d and others all came out of the woods on either of their flanks at the same time to insure their collapse. The Rebels were awarded a 55/45 victory by the umpires because they did get the camp color to their camp. Their army however ceased to exist.

Some interesting lessons were learned, as they always are after something like this. One is how important speed of maneuver in action is. If the 22d and Greens had stayed put on the road and tried going volley for volley with the Rebels, they would have been all dead in five minutes the way the Rebels were rotating troops. By charging, we lost our front rank to their volley, but we were packed five ranks deep! Also learned the psychology of a rout. Once the Rebels started hoofing it, they were never given an opportunity to reform in strength. Once you have someone on the run, keep it that way!

A great weekend overall. Thanks to Don Beale for his work as well as all the other participants. The public battles went according to plan, were fun and safe. Look forward to the next time here.

Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant,

Todd W. Braisted

Lieut. Colonel, BAR

4th Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers

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