At the earth works
The weather was perfect, the site is one of the best in the country for large, sweeping re-enactments. The Marines were kept on 500 acre property, participating in both large and small actions throughout the day and evening.
View of part of the British Camp from the roof of the Mansion House
This event paid homage to the late August 1777 landing of a large army
just a few miles away at the Head of Elk, and the ensuing skirmishes that took
place nearby (Cecil County, Maryland) prior to the army marching off to fight
the Battle
of Brandywine.
The Brigadier spies on the enemy
The event activities included: Serving out in the
field for extended periods of times guarding assigned posts; Participating in
patrols around the property; Guarding the earthworks and the work parties
assigned to them; and, Crewing on board small boats patrolling the surrounding
shorelines. Each day featured a large battle with all forces
participating, which included over 300 or more infantrymen in the field, ten
artillery pieces, and about 30 horse. As more than one participant noted,
it felt like we were in a movie. Saturday evening featured an American assault that took the works from British hands, followed by a more amiable
Jollification party in the grounds' boxwood garden.
The Road to Brandywine at Mount Harmon Plantation ranks up there
as one of the best re-enactment events in recent memory. The event
was well covered by gifted photographers from around the country,
including: Al Pochek, Michael Itamura, Jeff Bross, Kimberly Walters, Karen Morgan, and
John DiCarlo, just to name a few. A very big thank you to all those
photographers for your wonderful work.
Interested in learning more, or perhaps joining His Majesty's
Marines? The come check us out on 7 December at our next event
in Annapolis, Maryland at the Hogshead Tavern, 43 Pinkney Street. We hope
to see you there.
Defending the earth works
