Keeping It FUN!

by Judi McWilliams

Chris Robins - Part Four

"Musket Accuracy"
He explained so much to me, that I was overwhelmed. Mr. Robins is extremely well educated and trained in this field. I now find myself feeling inadequate to restating all he told me! I believe he told me that the muskets were not that accurate. So, if a group of men, shoulder to shoulder, shot all at the same time, the chances of hitting someone were greater. The object was to break the other sides line. The strategy, then, was for the soldiers load quickly and hold in line. However, the muskets sometimes used were not accurate as others. They would often use better weapons and sacrifice loading time for accuracy of the equipment. Some re-enactments, that Gary and I have been to, end with the Generals or Officers in Command holding discussions. They often take their helmets off and shake hands. I asked Chris what this was all about, as we could see them but not hear them. Chris said that in the War of 1812, this occurred often. Perhaps the opposing army was surrendering, or a truce was sometimes called, just to get the wounded out and then the battle would then continue.

"Practice Make Perfect"
I heard a school bell ringing and some of the students appeared in Mr. Robin’s history class room. He told them to grab a quick bit to eat and that we would meet in the drama room. The hallways were full of students by this time, so I stuck close to Chris on our way to the drama room. In short order, Mr. Robins had the students in a line. Some were late arriving, but when all was said and done, 4 girls and 6 boys, medium height to really tall, participate in this drill practice. Some of the terms became familiar as the afternoon session went on. Chris had the students “dress right, elbows flexed, be friendly … but not too friendly!” He told them about lining up in first rank, second rank, compared to first and second file. Mr. Robins tells the kids not to worry, “everyone is extremely rusty but it will kick in quick”! Other terms were "finger on seam of pants (if you were British)", or "thumb on seam of pants (if you were American)", "right face", "right about face", "right reel, march!" One of the students laughed when she said “elbow buddies”, while Chris insists, great, but no elbow fights! There apparently is a “golden rule”, when it comes to marching in the wheel, with that being to lean into the wheel but look away, if you are wheeling to the left, look right for example.
(To be continued)

Keeping It FUN!

by Judi McWilliams

Chris Robins - Part Three
"Dancing"

He dicussed the skirmish line and says that they react to what they (in the re-enactment world) call “dancing”. If you change up the “dance” you throw things off and that is a lot of fun Chris says. Part of skirmishing in company drill is being shoulder to shoulder, close order. Typically, Chris tells me, that first the re-enactors skirmish. The soldiers are the first out. This is the interesting part that I have not found in any of my reading so far, so I’ll share with you. The soldiers that are sent out to skirmish are extremely independent! Military skirmishers are called “the chosen men”, being very brave and again, independent! You needed to be very intelligent because you need to pick out the "targets" during the battle. Their job is to try to "kill" the important officers first. It is a much less disciplined way of battling and they can run and take cover. Chris says the flip side of this unique independence is the fact the no-one is right beside you, you are all alone! If captured, sometimes the special “chosen” soldier was given the option for parole, with the agreement that they would be set free if they agreed to not fight any more. During re-enactments, Chris states that his Kentucky Regiment often broke this parole agreement, and were re-captured (which Chris says is “kind of a funny thing don’t you think”)! He went on to say that sometimes during the re-enactment, if there aren’t enough Americans for the British to fight they “let them escape”! (Which, to me, is even funnier)? In a close line you at least feel more secure. I asked Chris if that just meant that they were just a bigger target?
(To be continued)

Keeping It FUN!

by Judi McWilliams

Chris Robins - Part Two
"Living History"

In my quest to understand why history and “living history” is so important, I asked Chris for his thoughts. Chris states that from the history teacher angle, he sees the students enjoying the history. He is even surprised by how much they enjoy it. He now has over 12 students taking part in the re-enacting drills and actual events/demonstrations. Some University students still take part in Chris’s group. Most of the re-enactors have spent the time and financial investment purchasing their own equipment. The youngest in his group is his 18 year old son, a Corporal in the group. His oldest son, just turning 20, is a Sergeant. There are also a couple of 21 year old students and then the two “old guys”, with Chris around 50 something! With his unit, Chris tells me there are two groups, the “relatives” or the “honored relatives” (a good friend that everyone calls Uncle), students or ex-students. Mr. Robins says that sometimes, until you get involved with re-enacting, you underestimate just how important history is. What Chris seems to be very excited about is understanding why the men and women of the War of 1812 period of time fought the way they did. This is what Chris loves to teach the students of today! He even taught me a few things that I didn't know about the whys and ways of battles! I asked him if the re-enactment battles were choreographed, or did they “just wing it”. He tells me that some major battles are choreographed because of the educational efforts to re-enact precisely. Sometimes though, Chris likes to have “surprises”. An anecdote that he shares with me, was his re-enactment at Sagesto Harbour, where the orders given to the sergeant were “follow the shade”! The challenge for Mr. Robins was that they were in an open field, so they had to “wing it”!
(To be continued)