The Recreated 23rdRegiment of Foot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America

Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Long Island, White Plains, New Jersey, Connecticut Coast Raids, Danbury and Ridgefield,

Brandywine, Germantown, Siege of Charleston, Camden, Guilford Courthouse, Yorktown ―The Fusilier Redoubt

Colonel of The American Battalion

Brigadier Anthony C. Vivian

Regimental Headquarters

Major Kenneth A. Siegel, 27 Grant Street, Needham, Massachusetts 02492 rangerken98@ yahoo.com 781-444-2589

Adjutant: Captain Paul Thomson 4 Saint George Court, Brookeville, MD 20833 paulthomson@ earthlink.net 301-260-8358

Color Ensigns: Second Lieutenant Erik Goldstein, Second Lieutenant Jack Pritchard

Regimental Sjt Major: RSM Ronald Turfitt 43333 Caruth Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75225 rwfrsm@ comcast.net 214-361-9216

Drum Major: DM Thomas Reinhart 1404 Knightsbridge Turn, Crofton, MD 21114 dm23rwf@ hotmail.com 410-451-9768

 

WEBSITE: www.rwfia.org

 

THE FUSILIER

Editor: Ken Siegel

 

Volume XXXVII, # 8                   August 2008

 

 

 

 

 

1.    Personnel Related Matters, page 1

2.    Uniform, Supply and Equipment Matters, page 1

3.    Battlefield maneuvers, page 3

4.    Regimental Roster, page 5

5.    Events planned for 2008 page  6 (much new information)

6.    Future events, page 9

7.    Utter Nonsense, page  10

8.    Commander’s Comments, page 11

 

The Regimental Secretary of The Royal Welsh, Colonel Peter Gooderson, has informed me that the color ceremony will be held sometime between 2010 and 2012. The Royal Welsh simply do not know exactly when but Colonel Gooderson promises to inform us once the exact date is known.

SECTION 1: Personnel Related Matters

 

  1. Recruit Mark Nasim has joined Grey Groves Company
  2. Corporal Greg Urwin, Colonel’s Company, published his 1000th submission of ‘Redcoat Images’ on the regimental yahoo groups site.

This represents a true, labor love on the part of Corporal Urwin, and he deserves great credit, commendation, thanks, and appreciation for his scholarship, and plain, dedicated, hard work. Corporal (aka Dr. Urwin PhD)Urwin’s work is well known and honored throughout both the living history, and general history community. We are very fortunate to have him in our ranks! On behalf of the regiment, Well Done, Corporal Urwin!

  1. Associate Member, Rebecca Cornell, Light Infantry Company, is appointed Head Regimental Cook.
  2. Company Commanders are directed to inform me of who they wish to be in charge of their camp, kitchens. This is so that we can begin a regular sharing of information, recipes, techniques, and problem solving among those who prepare our meals in the field. When there is a regimental event at which we are feeding everyone in the field, it is the responsibility of the Regimental Commander to appropriately plan along with those doing the cooking to make sure all goes well. I have not delegated this in the past and do not intend to delegate it in the future. This is now official, regimental policy!
  3. An associate member is someone who is not a soldier, either a wife or significant other, or an older father, who wants to be a part of our regimental family, who wants to participate in camp, help with the kitchen, and in general be a part of our events in ways that do not involve being in ranks in uniform. We have some and I’d like there to be more. In fact, I suspect there are and I just don’t know all the names. So, Company Commanders, let me know please.

 

SECTION 2: Uniform, Supply and Equipment Matters

 

  1. We have samples of the material for the late war, overalls on hand. As soon as we, meaning Captain Thomson, Lieutenant Goldstein, and I have determined that the material is suitable, it will be available for purchase through the regiment. We expect to be able to sell sufficient material for a pair of trousers for $25.00, and yes, we will make a small profit…about $2.50 we think… which will go into the treasury. I will not wait for the September Fusilier to officially announce when the material is available. As soon as we have determined it is right, I’ll send out a separate e-mail with the accurate, information.
  2. Members who choose to make this uniform are, of course, free to make it themselves or find a tailor. The tailors listed in past Fusiliers are all highly recommended. Two who are members of our regiment and who are willing to make these overalls are:

 

Grenadier Mike Grillo

Rwffuz94@aol.com

 

And

 

Fusilier Chris Cook

Grenadier@mail.ccsinet.net

 

Both Mike and Chris have done extensive tailoring for me and I highly recommend both. You’re on your own regarding dickering over what they charge you of course J.

 

  1. We will very shortly also have details about the cocked hat (and that is the proper description, NOT a bicorn). The same goes for this item as for the overalls. I expect to be able to announce details before the September Fusilier. The reason I’m not willing to do so now is because I want to be 100% certain that the information is right! Whenever members are asked to spend more of their money, even if, as in this case, entirely voluntarily, we MUST be right the first time information is put out!
  2. Everything discussed about this late war uniform in the June 2008 Fusilier remains in effect!
  3. Keep in mind, we will be wearing it at the Under The Redcoat event at Williamsburg next June so it’s much more than just conversation now…it’s happening!

 

Section 3: Battlefield Maneuvers

 

 

Starting with the 225th anniversary of Guilford Courthouse, in March 2006, and continuing on through this spring, we have been adding new (meaning new to our using them, NOT at all new to the 18th century British Army) battlefield maneuvers to our fighting, repertoire. It is time to codify them and make them official, so that they can be practiced by individual companies at other than regimental events. We have all thoroughly enjoyed employing these maneuvers, not least because the rebels have yet to figure how to respond other than an ‘oh my God they’re coming at us fast…eeek!’

 

  1. Forming front from column to the left or right at a March March: (This can be done from a single column, a column of twos or more, or a column of companies with the companies already in line).
    1. Commands:

1)      The 23rd will form front to the left (or right)…

2)      March March!

    1. Actions: The entire battalion, or company, moves quickly, at a very fast pace…not quite a run…into line…in double or single rank depending on how we happen to be fighting at the time. If at the shoulder, automatically go to support firelock while doing this. Everyone dresses at either close or open order depending on what the dress has been, or per command. With colors, dress is always to the center on the colors. Without colors, dress is always to the company/side that forms front first, ie. Left if forming to the right, right if forming to the left….think about it…it makes sense!

 

  1. We know how to get back into column quickly so not need to restate what we already know how to do just fine.

 

  1. Advancing fast at port arms: This is particularly useful when bayonets are fixed and we are loaded…it’s also the safest way to do this! The command is simply, Port Arms, and everything else follows, etc.

 

 

  1. Advancing or retiring firing, by ranks in open order. This means we MUST be at open order, which means the dress is one arms distance apart, finger tips extended and barely touching the man to the right. Doing this also means that those loading MUST keep their barrels up and to their front so that they can be safely passed through.

 

    1. Commands:

1)      Front rank will advance 5 (or however many) paces…

2)      Front rank, quick March (the front rank advances 5 paces)

3)      Front rank, Make Ready

4)      Front rank, Present,

5)      Front rank, Fire

6)      Front rank, prime and load

7)      Rear rank will advance 5 (or however many paces BUT!!! The 5 paces begin AFTER passing through the front rank, passage always to the right)…

8)      Rear rank, quick March and as soon as the rear rank passes through it becomes the front rank!!!!

9)      And so on…..

 

Retiring is the reverse…and no need to be totally explicit here…it really is common sense…and a few times practicing it all will make it not only easy, but obvious as to utility. Many of us have done this before anyway, not just the light infantry.

 

Obviously, doing any and all of this right depends on the officers and serjeants knowing it perfectly. So let’s take care of that minor detail now…

 

Officers and Serjeants, learn it all perfectly, and contact me if you have any questions!

 

Now wasn’t that simple and easy???? J

 

  1. That wonderful effective, and fun maneuver of our running forward, halting, firing, and charging through our smoke WILL be practiced and used whenever it makes sense to use it…safely obviously. The looks on the faces of the rebels at Saratoga last year, and Boone’s this year when we did it to them were priceless…as I’m sure all who were at both or either events remember.
  2. There is a light infantry drill that involves going into open order by a certain number of paces, at the trail, which is useful and will be taught to the entire regiment over the next, year or less. It’s one of those things that you need to actually do…then it becomes a big ‘DUH…that makes sense’… whereas trying to write it down first would probably cause too much confusion. So, all can look forward to adding to our wonderful bag of battlefield tricks, the better to confound the enemy with.

 

The whole idea is to make sure that we can go onto any battlefield and maneuver in a way that makes the most sense given the terrain, scenario, opposition, and, frankly, what we think will be the most fun for all of us! Safety always comes first naturally, but keeping that in mind, maneuvering fast, firing fast, going at the ‘enemy’ fast and furiously, whether the scenario calls for us to win or lose, is just a hell of a lot more fun than standing in place and exchanging volleys. A few of those is fine, but after a few, it gets more than a bit boring!

 

SECTION 4: Membership Roster of The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America


 

Colonel of The Regiment: Brigadier Anthony Vivian

Regimental Commander: Major Kenneth A. Siegel                                           Adjutant: Captain Paul Thomson

Color Ensigns: Second Lieutenant Erik Goldstein                                             Second Lieutenant Jack Pritchard

Regimental Serjeant Major: RSM Ron Turfitt                          Regimental Drum Major: DM Thomas Reinhart

GRENADIER COMPANY

Cpt Paul Thomson

DM Thomas Reinhart


 

 

LSjt Shane Reilly

Cpl Doug Demotta

Lcpl Thomas Buhl

Lcpl Alex Ivanchisin

Lcpl David Wilkins

Gr John Conway

Gr Michael Davies

Gr Mike Grillo

Gr Andrew Nedelka

Gr Justin Parker

Gr Kyle Parker

Gr John Pearson

Gr Steve Reilly

Gr Richard Reilly

Gr Jon Eric Spaar

Gr Keith Spaar

Gr Ken Spaar Jr

Gr Stephen Spaar

Rct Sean Beaudette

Rct Nicholas Holder

Rct Ivan Ingraham

Rct Bob Kish

Rct Kenneth E. Spaar jr

Rct Keith Spaar Jr

Rct Daniel Spaar


 

COL  A.C.VIVIAN’S COMPANY

Cpt Geoffrey Morgan

RSM Ronald Turfitt


 

Sjt Paul Astle

Cpl Rob Price

Cpl David Delucia

Cpl Gregory Urwin

LDr Joe Siegel

Dr Sean Kelly

Fus Jack Ciotti

Fus John Carawford

Fus Bill Difrenza

Fus Dr. Mike Delucia

Fus Daniel Delucia

Fus Nigel Eastwood

Fus Dave Gengo

Fus Erik Goldstein(2Lt RHQ)

Fus John Grasse

Fus Bob Hanley

Fus Mike Miller

Fus Dennis Murphy

Fus Joseph Vigorito

Rct Jason Delucia

Rct Andrew Eberhardt

Rct Jason Grieves

Rct Mike Nesson

Rct Duncan Trussell

Rct Forrest Wilkes


 
 

 

CPT GREY GROVE’S COMPANY

Cpt Tom Pieper


 

Sjt William Lucas

Fus Ben Beers

Fus Chris Beers

Fus Don Boyer

Fus John Maass

Fus Don Hively

Fus James Coffey

Fus Sean Coffey

Fus James Conrick

Fus Jeff Croft

Fus Charles Young

 

Rct Michael Harlow

Rct Mark Nasim

Rct Robert Passero

Rct Scott Rall

Rct Bryan Tate

Rct Ralph White


 

CPT JOSEPH FERGUSON’S COMPANY

Cpt George Mack


 

Sjt Jack Pritchard(2Lt RHQ)

Sjt Dave Nighswonger

Cpl Lee Calkins

Cpl John Hayes

LCpl John Pritchard

Musician Drake Nighswonger

Fus David  Fleischer

Fusilier Kevin Griffith

Fus Bradley Jones

Fus Jeffrey Lutz

Fus Jason Orton

Fus Claude Overstreet

Fus Mike Quigley

Fus Tom Stein

Rct Chris Chernault

Rct Luke Colby

Rct Josh Godwin

Rct Nathan Isler

Rct Dennis Le May

Rct Arthur Mayhew

Rct Jordan McElroy

Rct Justin Novack

Rct Steve Romero

Rct James Teahan

Rct Sean Weller


 

 

MAJOR, CPT DONKIN’S LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY

Cpt Dan Gates


 

Sjt Steve Raby

Cpl Jamie Parillo

Cpl Jason Simmonds

Fus J.P. Barber

Fus Peter Bond

Fus Chris Cook

Fus Robert Hanley

Fus Ed Miller

Fus Bob Peterson

Fus John Purdy

Fus Rob Rowell

Fus Jim Simmons

Rct Dave Scalzo


 

 

PENSIONER’S COY


 

Major Richard Ford

Cpt Tim Wilson

Sjt Pat Anderson

Surgeon Ray DeMotta

Sjt Bert Reinhart

Cpl Ken Spaar Sr

Fus Ken Barnes

Gr Tom Berg

Fus Jack Claudio

Gr Harold Craig

Fus Sal DeCanio

Fus Karl Fisher

Fus Marshall Jones

Gr Ed Knicley

Fus Chris Malany

Rct Mike Tavouralis

Rct Scott Vall

Gr Ted Volpe

Gr Tom Volpe

Fus John Wright


 

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS


 

Ms. Rebecca Cornell                                   

Mr. Ed Happle

Mr. Mark Domowne

Mr. Alfred Lehman

Ms. Nan Price

Ms. Sue Rowell


 

 

SECTION 5: 2008 events

 

 

 

 

 

July 26-27, 2008: Fort St. Joseph, Niles, Michigan (BAR event)

(OIC Captain Pieper)

 

August 2-3, 2008: Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts

(OIC: Major Siegel)

 

This will be a joint event with the 10th Regiment and other, New England based units at the very nice site of Old Sturbridge Village. We will be able to camp in the historic, reproduced village, and fight several times as well. This is an event recommended for members in New England, up state New York, and not too far away New York and New Jersey. This is a good event in which to do in camp meals and the regiment will support this. In order to plan properly for food we need to know who plans on attending. There will be NO charge for meals at Sturbridge! You get Saturday lunch, Saturday supper, and Sunday ‘brunch’ by way of ‘pay’ for being there. So, expect to be called by your company commander to see who plans on coming. There are battles both days, and many, many other activities that do NOT involve standing around in the sun in full kit for long periods of time. Two boxes of cartridges will suffice.

 

This is a really nice place to visit even if you were not ‘playing’, and I really recommend this event as a relaxed, enjoyable time. I consider this to be a family friendly show with many activities planned for kids.

 

I ‘assume’ that finding Sturbridge Village will not be a problem, since it is right next to the junction of Interstates 90 and 84 with signs literally all over the place! Why the exit off I-84 is even named ‘Old Sturbridge Village Road’!!!!!!!

 

We can arrive to set up on Friday but if before 5pm, we have to carry stuff into the camp. After 5 we can drive in to set up.

 

 

 

August 16-17: Fort Ligonier, BAR National Encampment, Ligonier, Pennsylvania

(OIC: Captain Pieper)

 

EXTREMELY FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT!

TIS IS A CHANGE FROM WHAT I WROTE IN AN EARLIER FUSILIER…BUT NOW I’VE BEEN THERE…I WAS WRONG…THIS IS A GREAT EVENT FOR FAMILIES!!!

 

This year’s BAR national encampment is something our Midwest company and every member of the 23rd who can attend should support. I spent a full day at the site, Thursday July 10th,  with the event coordinator, Bob Cairns of the 8th Pennsylvania, a good guy with a fine unit I know well, and the site director, himself a longtime re-enactor, Marty West helping set up the scenario, plans, and everything else about what I believe will be a fine event. So…here’s everything you need to know…

 

1.      The fort itself: Fort Ligonier is magnificently restored in full scale. And all of it is not only accessible, but can and will be used during the event.

2.      The fort museum: WOW!!!!!...I’ve been in this hobby since 1976, and I’ve loved history all my life and the displays in the fort museum are superb, magnificent, mind boggling. This museum is by itself worth the trip.  Normally, visitors may not take photos. We, however, WILL be able to photograph the exhibits, at a set time Sunday morning, as part of a guided tour (several to accommodate all who are interested) by the site director. What is in this museum is amazing…not least the actual pistols carried by George Washington during the Revolution…who would ever expect those to be in a rebuilt fort in western Pennsylvania…but they’re there…along with a whole lot of other, period stuff…NOT reproductions…of all kinds.

3.      The camp: We, the British, get to camp inside the fort to include using some buildings. And by the way, inside the fort just happen to be modern bathrooms!!!!! Our tents will be inside an outwork, close to the inner fort, and some will camp in the inner fort. The farthest anyone will have to carry anything is about fifty yards, and there will be wheel barrows available. Normal camp amenities such as wood, water, straw, and places for fire pits will all be right in our camp area…very, very easy!

4.      Parking: Either all of a football field away, or across a road and maybe 300 yards away for those arriving last…NOT a problem! Also, anyone doing modern camping will be in this across the road spot…again, not far at all.

5.      Food: We will be fed a full, dinner Saturday evening by the fort, in the fort. Sunday morning there will be sort of a continental breakfast plus in the fort. We’re on our own for other meals, but as stated, fire pits will be available, and there are numerous restaurants, shops, markets, etc within easy walking distance of the fort…like across the street distance!

6.      Family friendly stuff: About a mile and a half away is a large, public pool. The admission is $7 per person. About two and a half miles away is the Idlewild Amusement Park, which is exactly what the name implies. The fort is in what is called the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Google it…you’ll be swamped by places to see close to Fort Ligonier.

7.      Directions: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Route 711 North. 711 goes right into Ligonier and as soon as you cross Route 30 the fort is one your left, and registration is right there. You have to try to get lost! (I hope I won’t regret writing that.)

 

And now…what will we be doing at Fort Ligonier?????

Here’s the cunning plan…

 

Friday, August 1: Arrival, registration, and camp set up

Saturday, August 2: The event begins at 9:00am in the morning, so please be there and be set up. You’ll be able to get in late, but it will be more of a hassle for you in that case regarding distances to carry stuff.

9:00am: Formation and safety inspections (Fort opens to the public). At that time Fort Ligonier is an active, British held fort during the Revolution…so to the public, we are ON duty!

9:30am: Color raising ceremony and posting of sentries in the fort.

Balance of the morning: unit training, guard relief (Nobody stands a post longer than 45 minutes!!!) and when off duty, explore, shop, visit the fort’s superb artillery train which will be in and part of the American camp, etc BUT!!!...when leaving the British garrisoned fort, leave your regimental coat and musket behind! Once your coat is off, and you are outside the fort, you are OFF duty and ‘out of game’ as it were. So, you can visit in the American camp, see the museum, and enjoy yourselves without messing up the authenticity by having redcoats wandering through the American camp. It works both ways. If and when American soldiers visit the fort proper they have to be without muskets, and with a pass…so they’ll be treated as visitors, etc…not spies.

Noon or thereabouts: Lunch, as units plan or wish, in the fort…authentic looking please!

Afternoon activities: From about 1:00pm until 5:00pm here’s what will be happening, coordinated of course, but in general…

1.      We garrison the fort

2.      At set times the BAR will put on its usual people of the brigade, fashion show, and music concert, outside the fort.

3.      The Americans will demonstrate their drill for the public.

4.      Then we will demonstrate ours.

5.      The Americans will attack the fort and we’ll successfully defend it, driving them off with a counter attack. The fort rules state that there may not be anyone falling down ‘dead’, BUT, we can go right at each other. We will follow the fort rules, but otherwise, it will be a full, fight.

5:00pm the fort closes to the public and we get ready for supper. This will be in a building inside the outer works and we’ll eat with the Americans. After this, and until about 8:00pm we’re off duty and there will be a sort of flea market where anyone who wants can display and sell stuff. Since there will NOT be actual sutlers at the event, this will be to only opportunity to do some minor sutlering, as it were.

8:30pm: We garrison the fort, close the gates, and await an American attack. They can attack until 9:30pm…probably taking an outwork…night firing and all that…normal rules for this, NO bayonets fixed, NO swords draw…and it should be both fun and spectacular. The actual scenario you’ll be told at the time…which you’ll like, I promise.

9:30pm: quiet…we’re across a street from homes.

Sunday August 3:

9:00am: Breakfast in the same place we had supper.

During the morning, BEFORE the fort opens to the public (it opens at noon on Sunday) the site director, Martin West, will conduct narrated tours through the museum. At that time, re-enactors will be allowed to take non-flash photographs of the displays. Later in the morning, Dr, Holly Mayer, author of ‘Belonging To The Army: Camp Followers and Community During The American Revolution, will present a talk on ‘following the army’, based on her extensive research.

Noon to 5:00pm: The fort opens to the public, and then we follow the same schedule as Saturday afternoon.

5:00pm: Fort closes, event ends.

 

This is a BAR event for BAR members. BUT, as I’ve stated before in other Fusiliers, due to its importance, and my wish that we support the BAR at its national encampment, we are, as a NON precedent setting thing, picking up the expense for non BAR members to attend. I would appreciate knowing in advance, though that is a matter of convenience, not necessity.

 

I hope to see many of you there.

 

By the way, I get to be the British general officer in command…yea J

 

August 30-31, 2008: Faire at New Boston, Springfield, Ohio (BAR event)

(OIC Captain Pieper)

 

 

 

September 6-7, 2008: Fort Ticonderoga

(OIC: Captain Gates)

 

This is a repeat of the always successful and enjoyable event at Fort Ticonderoga. Everyone who goes will ‘play’ light infantry, meaning forage caps for grenadiers and fusiliers, and no hangers or match cases for grenadiers. If you can make this event by all means do so. Meals will be provided and more about that will be forthcoming later this year. I strongly recommend this event to all. Meals in the field will be provided by the Light Infantry Company ladies. Figure on a $5 payment to eat. The specially, constructed ‘French Lines’ that as bunch of us worked on for the French and Indian War event just done are well worth seeing, and using as well, because they’re not going away!

 

September 20-21, 2008 Army Heritage Fair, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

(OIC Captain Morgan)

 

October 4, 2008: Chew House, Germantown, Pennsylvania

(OIC Captain Morgan)

 

October 18-19 2008: Gloucester, Virginia

(OIC: Major Siegel)

 

The British Brigade and Continental Line, along with the BAR sanctioning the event, are planning a major event right across the river from Yorktown. This will be a regional event for the 23rd. However, the 23rd  DID fight in this battle. And furthermore, everyone fielding in a red coat will be playing the part of the 23rd…and further-furthermore I’ve been asked to command all the ‘red coats’ (someone else will have the Loyalists and Germans, and British Brigade commander Mike Grenier will be in over all command of the Crown Forces). Based on information received at the British Brigade meeting this is going to be a fine event and I strongly recommend it to all. There are a lot of details yet to be published, but the www.britishbrigade.org website has lots of good, accurate information about this event. And those who missed seeing me on a horse at Monmouth get to see me demonstrate my equestrian prowess here…not is that an incentive or what????

 

November 1-2, 2008: Hope Lodge, Pennsylvania

(OIC Captain Thomson)

 

SECTION 6: 2009 and 2010 Events

 

 

April 2009: Battle Road

This will mark the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service’s reconstruction of much of Battle Road. There will be considerable fighting throughout Concord and Lexington (off NPS land). This will be worth attending. We will probably hold our Saint David’s Day dinner concurrent with this event!

 

May 2009: Jerusalem Mills, Maryland

This has been chosen as one of two, major British Brigade events for 2009. It will be our SECONDARY, regimental event for 2009.

 

 

 

End of June 2009: UTR Williamsburg, Virginia

We will seek to be invited back to Williamsburg in 2009 and I’m sure we will receive an invitation. We should support this event on as large a scale as possible. Williamsburg is indicating that they wish participants to be in the uniform worn in the Southern Campaign. Therefore this event will be a late war uniform event for us.

 

August 2009: Cooperstown, New York

This will be the second, British Brigade event for 2009, and will be our PRIMARY, regimental event. This is so that our Californians can plan to use summer, vacation time to come east in August.

 

June 19-20 2010, Monmouth

The site director, Gary Stone, wants to make this a really, major event in 2010 and specifically wrote and called me to ask that the 23rd support it as much as we could. I agreed.

 

Columbus Day Weekend, October 2010: Brandywine State Park, Delaware

This has been chosen as a major, British Brigade event in 2010. It will probably be our main, regimental event for 2010..

 

SECTION 7: Utter Nonsense

 

During the past few years, while sitting around a fire at one of our camp kitchens, or sometimes under the fly of my traveling, canvas, palace, enjoying an adult beverage or six with other members of our regiment, both soldiers and regimental women, more than a few examples of sheer silliness, ludicrous fantasy, and great fun in general have been experienced, shared, invented, ridiculed, and pondered. So it was that at Boone’s Homestead this spring, and at several other events since, also to include some out of uniform dinners with members and members’ wives that with the encouragement of others, particularly those whose names are about to be taken in vain, two decisions have been decided upon by the main regimental decider which I have decided to share with all of you without requiring any decision from those of you deciding not to decide to participate in these decisions. (OK…now try and say that entire, last sentence fast…I dare you…my wife heard me practicing and once again…for perhaps the 4 times ten to the 5th time in our 35+ years of marital bliss…suggested that my mind was more than a wee bit warped…but you all knew that…so anyway…)…

 

We have appointed…vetted…approved…an official, regimental hobbit! He has graciously accepted (which may be why he managed to get me killed at Fort Laurens two weeks ago!!!). Our official, Recreated 23rd Regiment of Foot, Royal Welch Fusilier Hobbit is Serjeant Williams Lucas of Grey Groves Company. I sincerely hope that the other contestants, to include Fusiliers Grasse and Maass, and Captain Mack, all of whom have definite hobbit potential, will not be too upset…but Serjeant Lucas, both Captain Pieper, Mrs. Lucas, the rest of grey Groves Company, and I all agree, simply has that special something that made him our final choice. So, congratulations Serjeant (the hobbit) Lucas! But you still have to ear shoes when in ranks!

 

Next we have something a bit more touchy ,,,scary…delicate perhaps…BUT, since we DO have more than a few of our regimental women eagerly volunteering, to include the daughter of one whose fusilier father also completely approves, who am I do try to dissuade the fair sex from their…er…frolics? Anyway, to get to the point, we now have a Regimental Coven! We are still in the process of deciding on who will be the Head Witch…so many qualified candidates after all… But this is best left up to our ‘ladies’ to select (which is a superb piece of buck passing by your beloved major). BUT, we can discuss the proper uniform and possible duties…by way of polite recommendation of course. And, since Serjeant (the hobbit) Lucas’s wife, Mary Jo, has enthusiastically volunteered for membership in our Regimental Coven, I though it only proper that we make use of some ‘hobbit power’ and get Serjeant (the hobbit) Lucas involved (from a potential warlock perspective naturally) in recommending both uniform and policies for our new, Coven. Naturally, I do have a few suggestions of my own to offer but, as always, being the kind, considerate, warm, friendly, compassionate, caring, empathetic, though not always 100% truthful commanding officer all of you have come to love…or at least pretend to do so when appropriate… I solicit and welcome suggestions regarding the foregoing from any and all members of our Regimental Family. Therefore, save for commenting that the Coven uniform had better NOT include three ‘black’ feathers, and requesting that a spell of potency suitable for sixty-four year old majors be among the first spells cast, I shall eagerly await suggestions…and those suitable…meaning those that won’t get me arrested for printing them…will appear in future Fusiliers.

 

SECTION 8: Commander’s Comments

 

I will be at Sturbridge, Fort Ligonier, Fort Ticonderoga, and Gloucester. I look forward to being at those events with a lot of you. There are other events of course, as listed, and all are worth attending in support of your regiment and your company within it. Our campaign year is half over but we have lots yet to do, and many opportunities to be together and prove that the 23rd is indeed the very best, because you make it that way. Turnout matters of course, so please, try to make as much as you can. Remember, we all have a much better time the more of us are at any event..

 

Ich Dien

 

Ken