Happy 4th of July to all.

[Adam Helmer]

It is our nation's birthday on Monday. We will have our small town parade and then we will host a Civil War campsite on the town green. The Bucktails will do close order drill, firing demonstrations and living history in camp. Burn some blackpowder on the 4th.

Adam

[Skinny Shooter]

Same here Adam. I'm marching with the German Rgt in the Lititz parade Saturday night. We have a small encampment set-up too.
Always great to meet with the public and answer questions.


Allen

[Adam Helmer]

Allen,

Ich spreche Deutsch. I would like to see your living history event someday. What German Regiment do your represent? I invited Gil, my twin brother, to come to the farm and march mit mir in our parade. Gil, if you read this, we need a couple cans of Goex 2F and 3F because we burn lots of BP. The Bucktails usually lead all of our patades.

In camp, we clean arms, polish brass and leather kit and cook victals for the public to see. We will sleep on the green Sunday July 3rd and have a camp guard overnight who also tends the fires. Fortunately, the local folks are not "gun shy" as urbanites tend to be. We will also have Capt. Bailey and his two 6-pounders on the field. Happy 4th.

Adam

[Skinny Shooter]

Nix Nay und zie sprechen Deitsche aay. Or something like that. I know a little. Wish I knew more Pennsylfanisch Deitsche.
We are a Rev War Unit and here are some links for the German Rgt:
Btw, they were also known as "the vagabonds".

http://www.germanregiment.org/

http://www.emmitsburg.net/history_t/...r_patriots.htm

Recognizing that many of the German-speaking citizens wanted to join the fight, the Continental Congress authorized the raising of a German Regiment to be composed of eight companies of Pennsylvania and Maryland men led by bilingual officers. The Assembly in July, 1776 defined that two companies each would be raised from Frederick and Baltimore counties. Enlistment was for three years, but the Regiment saw action for nearly five years from Trenton, White Plains and Brandeywine in Delaware, New York and New Jersey to Yorktown in the south.

During the bleak winter of 1777 "The German Regiment" was among those at Valley Forge, where by February, 1778 only 79 out of 308 starving men were fit for duty; 52 men could not muster because of lack of warm clothes. The following year the Regiment saw even worse conditions as they constructed and guarded the Pennsylvania/New York frontier forts during one the harshest winters in history, known as "The Winter of the Deep Snow". In 1781 this Regiment was disbanded as a separate entity and was folded into the Maryland Continental Troops, part of the 3rd Regiment. They marched back to Frederick and then to Baltimore where they were re-equipped to go south to Yorktown.

The Roster of "The German Regiment" included the names of Sgt. Frederick Wilheid, Henry Delawter, Adam Froshour, Michael Moser, John Ridenour, George Studdlemeier, Henry Tomm, Adam Stonebreaker, Christian Apple, and others.

Over the years, many other Frederick men enlisted in the Continental troops; Jacob Troxel served in the Virginia line, while the names of Abraham and John Troxel appear in Maryland units. Familiar names like Clabaugh, Harbaugh, and Fox joined the fight. When the Maryland troops came home, whether from The Maryland Line, The German Regiment, The Frontier Rangers, or the militia companies, some head their health broken by battle and hardships and many were penniless after years away from their farms. But their heads were high – they had been among the first men to meet the veteran legions of red-coated British Regulars and ac-counted themselves so well over the course of the war that Gen. Washington repeatedly recognized their reliability, gallantry, and fighting spirit. Two hundred and twenty years later, like him, we recognize their achievement and celebrate their patriotism in our cause.

http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_li..._tom_creek.htm

The German regiment was formed by act of the Continental Congress, June 27, 1776. Pennsylvania had raised four companies and later a fifth company was added, while Maryland raised four companies’ completing the organization of the German Regiment. The companies of the German Regiment were to serve three years, unless sooner discharged. The German Battalion unofficially referred to as the 8th Maryland Regiment under the command of Haussegger and DeArendt. Nicholas Haussegger, major of the Fourth Battalion (Wayne’s), was commissioned Colonel of the German Regiment. Pennsylvania furnished by far the largest number of both of its officers and recruits. The men from the Tom's Creek Hundred who served in the German Regiment were Private John Patterson and Private Michael Smith. Here they saw action at the Battle of White Plains, New York.

The regiment took part in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Newtown, Brandywine and Germantown. They encamped at Valley Forage and witnessed the harsh winter. During May of 1777, the German Regiment was transferred to the Deborre's brigade of Sullivan's division. Colonel Haussegger left the army after the Battle of Monmouth, and returned to his farm near Lebanon, PA. Lt Colonel Weltner succeeded to the command. The German regiment took part in Sullivan's campaign against the Indians, and in the spring of 1780 it was stationed on the frontier of Northumberland County. By resolution of Congress, in October the German Regiment was reduced and ended its organization January 1, 1781. Many of the soldiers were transferred into the Maryland Continental Troops, part of the 3rd Maryland Regiment, where they marched back to Frederick and then to Baltimore where they were re-equipped to go south to Yorktown.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

A happy 4th to you all as well Wont be able to shoot any BP this weekend.....starting a weeks vacation (first Independence day I've had off in 10 years ) Renting a cottage in Northern MI...hope to wet a line more than a few times during the week! We will be watching the fireworks up at Mackinaw City on the 4th.....one of my favorite historical sites is there (Fort Michilimackinac) and the first battle of the war of 1812 was fought on Mackinaw Island.

Skinny Shooter:
My Uncle has lived in Thrumont, MD, for most of his adult life! Small world.

[Gil Martin]

Adam,
I can get some 2F, but do not have a good source for 3F. Maybe someone in your area has it. Expect to pay top price.

Mr. 16 Gauge,
I enjoy the view from the northwest blockhouse view at Fort Michimilimackinac. The fort was captured by the Chippewas and Sacs on June 2, 1763 during Pontiac's Rebellion.

During the War of 1812, the American garrison on Mackinac Island were not told that the war had started several months earlier and were unprepared. They surrendered to a British force without firing a shot. Also on the island is the cave where Alexander Henry took refuge at the urging of his friend Wawatam.
All the best...
Gil

[kt]

i wont get to see any explosions this fourth, i am stuck for one more week in the hell that is southern W.V.
kt be safe all dont go blowing up things that arent safe!
kt