| Vol. 8 | No. 2 |
Welcome Alan and Karen!!
The regiment has grown by two. At the first sewing session of the year at Chris and Marcia Kennick's house, we were pleased to learn that Alan and Karen Whitney have decided to join our merry bunch. Alan and Karen have completed all the requirements for admission to Peters Corps under the applicant status provisions of the unit constitution. Congratulations and welcome, Alan and Karen!!
Amherst History Museum Colonial Feast
Our friends at the Strong House are having a Colonial Feast on March 21st. It will be held at the Faculty Club on the Campus of the University of Massachusetts. This is also known as the Stockbridge House - which Melinda LeLacheur reminds us - served as a jail for Loyalists during the Revolution. This is a benefit for the Strong House.
They, as you know, have graciously invited 8 members of Peters' Corps (wearing 18th Century apparel) to join them for dinner that night. Since there were more eager members willing to make the sacrifice than the number of tickets (this is a benefit for these fine folks), we have held a drawing of names for those lucky individuals. For those of the membership who want to go on their own, please feel free to contact Melinda LeLacheur at the Strong House at (413) 256-0678. Tickets for dinner for Peters' Corps are $25.00 each. (Tickets for dinner for the public are $32.00 each). Cocktails (cash bar) begin at 5pm. Dinner will begin at 6pm.
And now the lucky winners:
He's Back!!
After a long period of technical difficulties, our illustrious Commander is back on line. Bill Wigham can be reached at his new e-mail address:
After Action Report - Peters' Corps' Excellent Adventure
On Sunday, January 11, 1998, the forces of the Crown and the United States Army met again under arms. This time, however, both sides won. Thanks to the diligent and prolonged efforts of Mark Cafazzo, we were invited to Fort Devens to participate in the training of army reserve drill instructors, who must undergo one year of instruction before they are certified. As part of their training, they receive an overview of the training of American soldiers.
The session began indoors in a high ceilinged training room. Under the leadership of Sergeant Justin Kennick, The Queen's Loyal Rangers put on a demonstration of the manual of arms. Fixing bayonets was facilitated by the high ceiling, thus saving everyone embarrassment. We then went through a demonstration of dry firing in one rank, two ranks and three ranks. Following this was a question and answer period. The drill sergeants asked a number of detailed and searching questions pertaining to our unit organization, history, numbers, clothing, rations, camp life, and life on campaign. These were fielded ably by the members of our company.
Once all questions had been answered, we repaired to the paved lot outside the building, where we put on a demonstration of marching and maneuvering in our own inimitable style. Permission having been obtained from the range officer, we demonstrated live firing using ramrods and wads, certainly a most interesting change for us. Our three volleys were as tight as this observer ever remembers having heard. From the comments of the sergeants, it would appear that they found the results impressive.
A select squad of sergeants then put on a demonstration of the manual of arms using the M-16 rifle, which we were allowed to handle. For those like the writer who have never held one, the comparison to our own sturdy weapon was enlightening indeed.
At the invitation of the U.S. Army, we then marched over to the mess hall where we enjoyed a delicious lunch (and if this was a typical lunch, then army food has been much slandered). Both groups stacked their weapons outside under guard, and some of us were curious to see if the sergeants would prefer our weapons to theirs when they reassembled. None did, however.
Following lunch, we marched back to the classroom, where we answered more questions. When we were done, Sergeants Peter Kelly and Gary Sirois presented us all with gilt certificates from the Department of the Army commending us for our services to the U.S. Army. In return, Peters' Corps gave three loud, enthusiastic, and heart-felt huzzahs (and perhaps a Lazard as well!) for our former enemies during the late unpleasantness.
It should be pointed out that The Queen's Loyal Rangers enjoyed the largest turnout in the history of the unit, a total of nine men being present and under arms. These were, in no particular order, Bill Wigham, Chris Kennick, Justin Kennick, Cliff Nicholls, Aaron Nicholls, Dan Moraski, Mark Cafazzo, Brian Zawodniak, and Bruce Wallace. All of us owe a great debt to Mark for having arranged this pleasant and rewarding outing for us.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Wallace
Thanks, Mark
A special "hats off" and "huzza" to Mark Cafazzo for organizing the event at Fort Devens. It is seldom that one gets to be part of a military demonstration especially from two different centuries. Our unit looked good -as witnessed in the video; and our hosts were both informative and cordial- a great bunch of guys.
It was a great experience! Good job Mark.
Respectfully,
Cliff Nichols
Saratoga Invitation
The National Park Service at Saratoga National Historical Park has extended an invitation to our unit to participate in their traditional fall encampment on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 & 20 of this year. They would like us to attend this living-history event commemorating the 221st anniversary of the first Battle of Saratoga.
The American troops will camp at the Neilson Farm house (Tour Road Stop 2), and the Crown Forces will camp at Freeman's Farm/Balcarres Redoubt (Tour Road Stop 6) with re-enactor parking adjacent to both sites. The park will provide wood, straw, water and porta-johns and a private ranger lead tour.
The National Park Service wants to make this event interesting and educational for their visitors as well as hassle-free and enjoyable for the participating re-enactors. They also hope to take some time during the encampment to meet about ideas for joint planning of the 225th Anniversary in 2002.
Please check your schedules and report back to our Commander or myself if you would able to attend this event.
Please make every effort to do so by 4/1/98.
The "Loyalist Connection"
My wife, Katherine, and I recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean. While there we visited the Turks-Caicos Islands which are part of the British West Indies just south of the Bahamas. It was paradise.
While looking through the literature dealing with the islands, I came across what I like to call the "Loyalist Connection".
It seems that after the Revolution, the British government awarded the Caicos Islands to Loyalist planters who had fought for the Crown. In 1789, the first Loyalists arrived on the islands and built plantations growing crops of sea-island cotton and sugar cane. These plantations prospered for several years relying heavily on slave labor. Roads were built to connect other plantations in an effort to re-create what they had lost in the colonies. But by 1813, depleted soil, insects, and a hurricane forced the Loyalists to abandon their plantations leaving behind many of their slaves. Thus came to an end the Loyalist period in the Caicos.
As I read on, I found that the ruins of one of these plantations - Cheshire Hall - was on the island we were visiting. My wife and I set out to explore.
We searched up and down the island but could not find Cheshire Hall. Then relying on my Ranger instincts I looked across the road and there it was. Of course the big sign that read Cheshire Hall helped a little.
Overgrown and in ruins, Cheshire Hall stood like a ghostly reminder of a time gone by. The main house, slave quarters, storage buildings quiet now except for the wind, mosquitoes, and our footsteps crunching on the limestone path. It was sad in a way. It looked as if no one had been there for years.
A Florida Loyalist, Wade Stubbs had moved to the North Caicos Island after the Revolution and built a grand plantation called Wade's Green. He was joined by his brother, Thomas, from Cheshire County in England. He settled on Provident Cay and built Cheshire Hall in honor of his native land.
Crops failed and Thomas became destitute. He sold Cheshire Hail to his brother Wade; but after the hurricane the Loyalists moved on leaving this place and its legacy.
You can still see the stone walls that held animals or crops, and what must have been cotton gins built from stone. You can look out from the crest of that hill and imagine what these people dreamed, what hardships they endured, and what they lost for being loyal.- Truly, a moving experience.
Respectfully submitted,
Cliff Nichols
To view past editions of our unit newletter, The Loyal Gazette, click here.
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