North America Brigade & British Forces Overseas Events

The North America Brigade is finally coming into being with many of the groups in Canada and the US who are already portraying British units as well as inquiries from many wishing to start new units. Not only circumstances in North America but also the participation by many of these units at the Waterloo events of 1990 and 1995 have clearly indicated the need for a cohesive umbrella organisation to enable the separate groups to work together for the mutual benefit of all.

Future hopes include working in affiliation with the British Division in Britain so there is more unity and ease of purpose if individuals or units from either side of the Atlantic wish to cross the Great Pond to participate in events on the other shore.

The North America Brigade is also active in working with organisations in North America portraying "the enemy" - which now includes Napoleonic French forces besides the ubiquitous US troops of the 1812 War - to develop Napoleonic events on the North American continent. A number of historic sites have also indicated their interest in sponsoring such events. Forthcoming North American events

April 5-7 Oklahoma

Encampment of the 93rd Highlanders, Fort Washita, OK. 1815 period camp in conjunction with the Fort's Annual Pre-1840 Event. For more information contact: 93rd SHRoFLHU, PO Box 100011, Ft. Worth, TX 76185 USA. Email: ninety3rd@aol.com

May 17-19 Pennsylvania

Fort Mifflin, Napoleonic Muster, Philadelphia, PA. Napoleonic/1812 event. British/US/French/European portrayals. Battles and tacticals. Encampment. Amenities. $3 registration. Contact Jim Burrill, 124 Park Ave, Quakertown, PA 18951 USA 215-529-7035. Email: Renactr2@aol.com

June 8-9 Texas

Living History Display at Texas Scottish festival and Highland Games. Arlington, TX, USA. 19th Century British military display by the 93rd Sutherland Highland Regiment of Foot Living History Unit at the largest Games in the region. On the campus of UTA at Maverick Stadium, Arlington, TX. Contact 93rd SHRoFLHU, PO Box 100011, Fort Worth, TX 76185 USA, email ninety3rd@aol.com

July 26-28 Fort George, Canada.

War of 1812 re-enactment at Fort George National Historic Site, Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Period encampments, tacticals, living history programs. Contact David Webb, Special Events, Niagra National Historic Sites, PO Box 787, 26 Queen St., Niagra-on-the-Lake, ONT, L0S 1J0 Canada.

August 10-11 Fort Erie, Canada.

Siege of Fort Erie re-enactment. Encampments, living history, several battles including night storming of walls by British. Usual amenities. Contact Historic Fort Erie, Living History Weekend, Niagra Parks Commission, PO Box 150, Niagra Falls, Ontario, L2E 6T2, Canada.

October 5-6 Indiana

Battle of Mississinewa re-enactment, near Marion, Indiana, USA. Largest War of 1812 event in North America. Two tacticals each day, British/US/Native encampments, 125 vendors, amenities. Register by August 1. Contact Mississinewa 1812, PO Box 1812, Marion, Indiana 46952 USA. Tel: 800-822-1812. 1996 UK Re-enactment News

The enthusiasm generated last summer from Waterloo through to a spectacular climax to the re-enactment year at Chateauroux, and Fort Amhurst has generated a frenzy of recruitment activity during the winter as troops loyal to the Emperor have rallied and re-equipped for a fresh campaign. 1996 will reveal that the French forces of "L'Armée d' Angleterre" have increased numbers not only in the infantry ranks, but with freshly mounted cavalry, and the ability to field a battery of Artillery, they will be a real threat to the security of these shores. The forces of the Duke of Wellington have not been idle though. Regrouping into 4 brigades - Light, Line, Highland and the Guards they too are preparing energetically for the coming campaign. All will be revealed shortly as the new year is upon us.

Easter Saturday 6th April. Rousse Tower. Guernsey.

A small expedition of regular troops and naval forces has been despatched to the Channel Islands to support the local militia who seem under imminent threat of invasion from France. Any readers with the opportunity to visit Guernsey will be interested to know that the Tourist board are restoring many of the historic fortifications on the island. The Rousse Tower is a "loophole tower" (the predecessor to Martello Towers) which mounts a gun platform on which have been placed four restored Naval artillery pieces. They plan to recruit locally an Artillery unit who will regularly give gunnery displays, but have on this occasion invited members of the NA to assist in the formal opening ceremonies. I am sure the French won't let this occasion pass without some riposte!

4th - 6th May (Bank Holiday weekend) Normandy Hall, Lincolnshire.

Public displays will be staged on the Sunday and Monday, and member units have been given the opportunity to use the splendid facilities of the estate for drill, training, campaigns or skirmishes as they wish. Members may arrive on the Saturday which has been kept free for units to use as they wish. On the Saturday evening there will be a period social gathering in the Hall itself which should be a splendid occasion in genuine surroundings. A convivial atmosphere will be guaranteed with a buffet and bar provided. Tickets for the buffet priced at £4 are available from Mike Grove. Tel: 01484 685615. Details will be sent to Unit Commanders.

1st, 2nd June Le Quesnoy, France

The 18ème de Ligne and the municipality of Le Quesnoy invite you all to visit this very interesting town centred on a historic Vauban fortification. Near to Valenciennes in the north of France, the weekend is planned to display many aspects of life through out the first empire. There will be distinct French and Allied period camps, bivouacs, guards, skirmishes and battles on both days. All the usual French hospitality is guaranteed - food, straw and powder, with no doubt the occasional vin d'honneur. Accommodation is available to those not able to camp. If non re-enactors would like to go please get in touch and I will put you in contact with the organisers to arrange accommodation.

8th, 9th June Weston Park, Shropshire

Back to England for this main event. We will again have the run of this magnificent estate for the weekend. French and British Period encampments will be open for the public to visit, with both afternoons featuring displays of many aspects of Napoleonic warfare, culminating in a spectacular battle re-enactment.

For further information on these events or the Napoleonic Association please write to me at 5 Thingwall Drive, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside. L61 3XN.

Mike Freeman, Chairman, Napoleonic Association.

More Napoleonic Newsdesk Items:

Napoleon, Nelson and the New World
Reader's Requests
Royal Armories Museum
Sea Songs and Other Events
Forthcoming Books
Tim Hicks: Disassociation from Midas
North America Brigade and British Forces Overseas Events

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