War of 1812 Discovery Series (#7 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Christmas 1812 Style... (Part Two)
There are some recordings of Christmas celebrations in the army during the War of 1812, but the festivities and decorations that we expect to see during our Christmas season did not take place during that time. For today’s Historic Sites and current re-enactment purposes (to avoid misrepresentation and the authenticity of the time) these sights might be decorated as a wintertime ball, representing the festive spirit and ways during the Christmas season and winter months. There are a few accounts of Christmas celebrations during the War of 1812. In the 1800’s soldiers were fortunate to be allowed “time off”, mid afternoon, to enjoy just a traditional Sunday, but in turn, had to forgo their time for dinner. 1806 brought better fortune to the soldiers, who received advanced pay, so that they could purchase three good meals for the different messes on Christmas day. They enjoyed religious tunes during Church, where the psalm singers and a drummer performed. With the abundance of food available to us today we seem to get “frazzled” with having to make choices, such as fresh turkey or pre-basted, home-make treats or store purchased boxes, wine or beer, canned cranberries whole or jellied, etc. etc. The food choices during the War of 1812 period were not very diverse. In 1807, the 40th Regiment chose to go to shore to purchase flour, raisins, fat and beer to enjoy their hearty feast. If the soldiers were in the field serving, their efforts were just that more challenging. In 1813, the 7th Royal Fusiliers recounted Christmas being successful by the contributions of every man. They contributed meat, wine and some money to purchase a couple of sheep for a meal, pies, puddings. this was all finished with a treat of fresh apples! They also enjoyed music provided by bandsmen playing tunes. They all danced to reels and jigs! In 1813, the 43rd Light Infantry recalled seeing a simple celebration at a corporal’s quarters with a poor woman and her child enjoying a small pudding by the warmth of a fire beside a tree.
(To be continued)