The Regiment has been invited to participate in the British Brigade event, "The Burning of Kingston, NY. This looks like it's going to be one of those events to remember. Thanks to Matt Ryan for bringing it to our attention and all the others (too numerous) that got us to this point. We have received directions and schedules:

NY State Thruway Exit 19. Get on circle to Washington Ave exit. Only .7 of a mile to Lucas Ave. Turn Right. Forsyth Park ( Camp ) on Right .4 mile.

  Saturday, Oct. 3, 1998

For those with access to the Internet, check out http://www.britishbrigade.org/bbevents.htm for more information.

The Regiment participated in the recent Quebec event. Bill, Diana and Zachary Wigham and Dan & Nancy Moraski arrived Thursday evening on August 14^th. The next day, the Regiment increased with the addition of Chris & Marcia Kennick, Justin Kennick, Mark & Carol Cafazzo, Matt, Michelle & Angus Ryan, and Cliff, Aaron, Katherine & Emily Nichols.

It was a beautiful weekend, marred only slightly by a brief rain on Saturday night. Even when we arrived early, the number of tents in the Crown Forces camp was already impressive. The numbers swelled from that point to produce an event with participation that rivaled the numbers of extras in a DeMille film.

We were assigned tactically to the Indian Department for the weekend, under the command of Christian Cameron of the Company of Select Marksmen. Our own Mark Cafazzo was Regimental Sergeant for the entire weekend. Mark did a wonderful job and is to be commended for his great efforts. We were "on the move" almost constantly, and Mark was able to move the Regiment effectively in the heat of constantly, rapidly changing battles. Three huzzahs for Mark!!!

Quebec was spectacular! The city was beautiful and the people charming. The weather was excellent and the amenities sufficient. Everybody had a great time and my Zachary is sold on re-enacting. I even had to make hima wooden musket when we got home.

Peters' Corps had the honor of being stationed on the left flank of the Provincial Line. The British troops, as far as we could tell, held the center and right of the line where the photographers were.

We occupied a patch of woods under a brooding cliff and were contemplating storming the heights when a French Officer appeared. From the edge of the precipice he read a long proclamation, in French of course, and was answered by someone in Peters' Corps bleating like a sheep. This so upset the Frenchman that we were soon beset by Henri de Couque and his bluecoated Light Infantry devils. In the long, seesaw battle that ensued, we counterattacked and took the Grassy Knoll (some called it Hamburger Hill) three times and were repulsed as many times. Chris and Justin, Matt and Cliff, Aaron, Dan, Mark and I were exhausted when the battle wound down. But we'd had a good time.

The center of the line seemed not to be able to move very much and we felt sorry for them. More help to us was Christian Cameron and the Indian Dept. warriors. We also felt more at ease knowing that the KRRNY under Mr. Watt and Mr. Joyner were close at hand. Mark Cafazzo was Sergeant du Jour and did a great job as usual. This was Mark's biggest event as SdJ but one would think that he had years of experience.

The next day we were faced with some solid battalions of BAR troops under the wily leadership of Mr. Patterson who was not hard to spot in his magnificent hat. At one point he rushed our position and forced us to beat a hasty retreat up a steep incline to the safety of an artillery battery. Then as he was just about to over run our position his battalion was diverted to another sector. We discovered a rifleman who'd been skulking under an apple tree when our counterattack re-took our old position. He was summoned to surrender which he did but was immediately set upon by Our Red Brothers who left him for dead. After a while he became conscious again and was given the opportunity to mend his rebel ways and take the King's shilling. This he did after extracting a promise of not having to deal with the Indians again.

We noticed our old friends from Whitcomb's Rangers across the field and many other old comrades who had been seduced by the forces of evil. We hope they made it home all right.

In retrospect it was a great success because for me, for I was where I wanted to be...with Peters' Corps.

 YOS,

Bill Wigham, Sjt.

(Item 1)

The army of Frederick the Great had a suggestion program which worked out real fine. If you had an idea you submitted a suggestion and if they accepted it you got the Blue Max or a fist full of Frederic d'Or. One such suggestion was supplying iron ramrods to the Prussian Army. That technology won the First Silesian War for the Old Fritz.

Now we have a problem which bothered us for two whole battles in Quebec. After a few shots the barrels really got hot and stayed hot. That caused us plenty of aggravation and slowed down or rate of fire as a result. We need everyone to think of ways to protect our left hands from the hot barrel. It has to be easy to put on and take off. It has to be like a mitten with the palm and fingers covered and the thumb covered independently. The material must be linen, woolen or leather and must look like something "soldier-made".

My leather shooting palm was made of too stiff a leather so it didn't work too well. The documentary evidence exists for such things but there is no mention of how the mitts were made in any detail. Reward to be announced at a later date.

 (Item 2)

Hartwell taught us that the weather can be heartless. Each member should always have two days rations in his/her haversack or basket when on a campaign sort of event. These should be rations that can be consumed cold as fires might be an impossibility.

 (Item 3)

Every so often it is a good idea to repeat one of the guide lines of peters' Corps. For this issue it is simply that it is important that we individually do not acquire things that become a part of our (and therefore Peters' Corps') general impression which fail when it comes to materials, pattern or design, or workmanship. Be careful of what you buy from some of these so-called Sutlers. Justin and I both got shoes from Roy Najecki which have been serving us well for several years. However I have seen hats put together with hot glue under another peddler's canvas. If you have questions about something you feel you need talk to us. We are there to help. When in doubt...leave it out.

(Item 4)

Big events and small events each have their advantages. But a steady diet of either is like standing on one leg too long.

(more later)

YOS,

Bill Wigham, Sjt.

Justus Sherwood's Coy

Queen's loyal Rangers

To view past editions of our unit newletter, The Loyal Gazette, click here.

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