Within Warner’s Regiment there are several types of portrayals and tiers of participation, all of which have a place in the Regiment. Members can be involved at one or more of the levels as he or she chooses.
Impressions are primarily divided into two categories: Combatants and Civilian (or camp-follower). Within each category there are several tiers of participation.
Combatants
Regulars represent the Officers, NCO’s and rank and file soldiers enlisted in the original Regiment. Regulars follow the training and are expected to have the discipline of an organized military unit. The training, tactics, uniform, and accoutrements are based upon existing warrants, orderly books, and training manuals from 1770-1790.
Militia Augmentees represent civilians called to duty by the militia laws requiring all able bodied men (usually between 16 and 60) to act as citizen soldiers for their community in times of crisis. Militia soldiers were enlisted to fight for limited periods of time and were not usually supplied with arms or uniforms, Militia augmentees typically fielded with what clothing and accoutrements they possessed. Nonetheless, they often fought alongside regular troops. Warner’s Regiment was supplemented by militia several times during its history, most notably at the Battle of Hubbardton; however it is unclear if the militia were organized companies or large numbers of unorganized individuals. We currently absorb militia augmentees into the regular line as individuals, but will consider standing militia companies when the numbers allow.
It is a common misconception that militia
unit were largely untrained. It is true
that militia unit were not as comprehensively trained as regular Continental
Army Regiments, but many period journals recount how tenaciously
Non-Combatants
Camp followers represent the spouses and children of soldiers, local townsfolk, or support personnel for the army. Camp followers offer the public information and demonstrate non-military activities – sewing, cooking, spinning and offer a different style interaction with the public. An excellent description of camp followers by John Rees is at Women Following the Army and 18cWoman, a running discussion list about women and their activities during the 18th Century. For information on correct civilian clothing and possessions, click here.
Most units have a dining and cooking area to feed its members, however,
it is often incorrectly re-created as attached to the unit. In the armies of the period, only one or two
meals a day were issued from rations and prepared by mess groups of 5-6
soldiers. Women did not cook the daily rations for the soldiers. Mess groups used military style kitchens
which are significantly different than what it seen at re-enactments. The men were allowed, however, to purchase meals from vendors called
petite sutlers. Several of the women in
the Regiment who enjoy 18th Century cooking have established a re-created
petite sutlery showcasing a variety of 18th Century cooking methods
and foods.
Activities
The Regiment offers several types of activities to match the interests of the members:
Historical re-enactments and tactical games are open to all members of the Regiment who are current members with the Ethan Allen Long Rifles. Historical re-enactments are typically scripted battles and are showcases for the Regiment. The script may or may not be historically accurate, but usually designed to provide the public a feel for the training, tactics, uniform, accoutrements, and organization of 18th Century military life.
Tactical games are usually significantly less scripted and away from public viewing, allowing the participants more free play and creativity. While the formations and tactics are correct for the period, there is no predetermined course of the battle, allowing the re-enactors to use their 18th century tactical skills to their fullest to win the game.
Parades in support of Hanaford’s Volunteer Fyfe and Drum
Corps. are open to all members of the Regiment.
As parades are Hanaford’s money making events, participation is
encouraged when possible. The Ethan
Allen Long Rifles does two money making parades per year and as these are the
only money making events for EALR, participation is also encouraged.
The Regiment also participates each January in the Smuggler's Notch Primitive Biathlon.
