[Editor's Note: the following article consists of information published by the Brigade of the American Revolution and is presented in this Journal to familiarize the readers with its activities should they wish to participate in living history events as a member or as a spectator]

Anyone with an interest in re-enacting or "living history" for the American Revolution owes it to himself to get in touch with the Brigade of the American Revolution, or BAR. The BAR is an international historical association, founded in 1962, dedicated to reenacting the life and times of the common soldiers in the American Revolution.

The BAR boasts a membership of nearly 2,000 people who are enrolled in approximately 150 separate units, each of which is patterned after a specific military unit that took part in the war.

Its members include men, women and children from all walks of life who share a common interest in the American Revolution and a desire to better understand the life of the 18th Century soldier through tactical drills, period encampments and uniform and equipment research.

The Brigade represents all of the forces that were involved in the war including the British, Loyalists (Tories), Germans, colonial militia, US Continentals, French and Spanish units. All branches of service are represented including infantry, cavalry, artillery, musicians, officers, riflemen, militia, naval and marine forces as well as civilians.

While the membership is concentrated in the original 13 states, member units can also be found in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, California and Utah, to cite a few other states. Member units can also be found in Canada and Great Britain, adding an international flavor to the BAR.

What the Brigade Does

The Brigade recreates the American Revolution for members of the public by means of marches, encampments, tactical battlefield demonstrations and participations in commenorative events. It also conducts schools and educational seminars for musicians, artillerists and NCOs for the purpose of learning new skills or sharpening old ones. Teaching is based on information gleaned from historical research so that a high state of historical accuracy can be maintained for the public.

There are also annual marksmanship competitions. Firing at traditional 18th Century targets, members improve their skills in firing the muzzle loading flint lock muskets, rifles and pistols. The Brigade stresses the safe handling of weapons with strict regulations.

To promote manual skills and crafts, an Authenticity Contest is held annually and certificates as Apprentice, Journeyman and Master can be awarded to winners in such categories as leather working, spinning, dyeing, weaving, tin smithing, cabinet making, gun smithing and other similar 18th Century crafts.

A Typical Brigade Event

Most Brigade events involve a weekend of energetic, colorful activity. During Friday night and early Saturday, the 18th Century military camp is set up, complete with soldiers, tents, officers, marquees, cooking areas and craft displays. After officers' and non-commissioned officers' calls (the entire day is run by original drum signals), the Brigade is assembled, inspected and drilled in movements and firings (using blank rounds).

Sometimes a simulated bayonet charge gives spectators a chance to expenence what the enemy feels as the long battle line approaches them. In the afternoon, a SAFE tactical demonstration is staged, with American and Allied troops squaring off against the Crown Forces of British, Tories and Gennans.

The day ends with a formal Retreat Ceremony, with honors to the flags, accompanied by the Brigade's field music. Sunday can begin with church service, conducted by a chaplain in proper vestments for the 18th Century. The remainder of the day follows a schedule sinular to that of Saturday.

Uniforms and Equipment

Each unit is as nearly an exact re-creation of the original Revolutionary War unit as present study and research will permit. All cloth, leather, fastenings, etc. are authentic copies. Patterns for uniforms are made from surviving examples in museums, and from contanporary sources such as prints, paintings and books. No modern, man-made fabrics, no plastic, no zippers are used. In short, there is no compromise with authenticity, even where the material is in question, it is not allowed.

Weapons are exact reproductions of the British Brown Bess and the French Charleville muskets, American (Pennsylvania) long rifles, cannon, and period edged weapons of all types: bayonets, halberds, pikes, spontoons, swords and tomahawks. Cartridge boxes, canteens, belts and buckles, and other accoutrements are all copies of the originals. All members personally own their weapons and equipment, either making it themselves or purchasing it from craftsman members.

Summary

The Brigade of the American Revolution bnngs the active history of the American War of Independence to life for children and adults alike. It helps to create an interest in the Revolution by a vanety of demonstrations, both active and passive.

The visitor may look at, touch, and talk with the soldiers and camp followers; thus bringing to life in three dimensions and full color, the Revolutionary War scene. Visitors are almost a part of this scene, not merely spectators, as the American War of Independence comes to life.

For additional information, please contact:

Lt. Edmund A. Moderacki
Brigade Information Officer
531 Westwood Avenue
River Vale, New Jersey 07675-5526

BAR Calendar of Events for 1997

April 26-27
35th Aniversary Grand Academy, New Windsor Cantonment, Vails Gate, NY.

May 17-18
Brigade Encampment, Wethersfield, CT
Ohio Folk Festival, Dayton, OH

May 31-June 1
Spring Firelock Matches, Sippican Rod & Gun Club, Rochester, MA.

June 21-22
Fort Laurens, Bolivar, OH

July 12-13
Century Village, Burton, OH

July 26-27
35th Anniversary Grand Encampment, Somerset, PA

August 9-10
3rd Annual BAR/NWTA Meet, Findlay, OH

August 16-17
Grand Tactical Exercise, Broadalbin NY

August 30-31
Fair at New Boston, Springfield, OH
BAR Fall Firelock Matches, Kingston, NY

September 13-14
Providence Plantation Colonial Fair, Zelienople, PA

September 27-28
BAR Encampment, Trumbull, Cl

October 11-12
BAR Encampment: 220th Anniversary of the Attack on the Highlands, Constitution Island, West Point, NY

October 25-26
Market Days and 3Sth Anniversay Banquet, New Windsor Cantonment, Vails Gate, NY

November 15-16
221st Anniversary of the Fall of Fort Lee, Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee, NJ

Anyone wishing to attend one of the above events should contact Ed Moderacki, Adjutant for the BAR, at the address listed on the opposite page. Some of these events are for BAR members only, but the majonty are open to the public.

Other AWI Living History Events

The following is a partial list of non-BAR events that will take place in 1997:

May 31, AWI Re-enactment, Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, Media, PA. Near the Brandywine Batliefield and Valley Forge. Will have two skirmishes and portrayal of camp life. Contact The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, Ridley Creek State Park, Media, PA 19063 [PH: (610) 566-1725]

June 28-29, 219th Anniversary of the Battle of Monmounth, Monmounth Battlefield National Landmark Tennent, NJ. Contact Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, PO Box 122, Tennent, NJ 07763.

July 12-13 Battle of Hubbardton Observances, Hubbardton Battlefield, VI (6 miles off VT Route 4). Battles, exhibits, sutlers and lectures. Contact David Bernier, 178 Glendale Rd., Southampton, MA 01073 [PH: (413) 527-4470].

July 26-27 Cantigny, Whenton, IL Sponsored by Hamilton's Artillery. NWTA event includes cutlers, military units and craftspeople. Contact: Bill Hess, 2088 S. Linden LN, Palatine, IL 60067 [PH: (847) 3974805.

August 16-17 Bartle of Bennington, Bennington, V7: Contact David Bernier (see Hubbardton event above for address and phone #)

August 16-17 Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown, NY Open to Crown and Continental units, sutlers and the public. Contact Doug DeCroix, Old Fort Niagara, PO Box 169, Youngstown, NY 14174 [PH:(716) 745-7611.

September 6, 2nd Annual Battle of Germantown in the Massahickon Valley, Historic Rittenhouse Town, Philadelphia, PA. Contact Historic Rinenhouse lbwn, 206 Lincoln Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19144 [PH: (215) 438-5711]

September 19-21, The 220th Anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga, Saratoga National Historic Park Schuylersville, NY: Two tacticals will be held. Contact: The Turning Point '97, Old Saratoga/New Schuylersville Assoc. PO Box 40, Schuylersville, NY 12871.

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