KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
The recent War of 1812 reenactment at Glengarry Pioneer Museum did not disappoint visitors who attended. Each year is a little different, with new information to be learned about life in 19th century Glengarry and the War of 1812 that lasted to 1815 – this year with more tents in the encampment and more excitement on the battlefield.
Just like everyday life, the reenactors go through changes themselves; some expanding their kit and in need of items, while others participate in different eras and need clothing & accessories for each period in history they portray. Fellow reenactors had items for sale, from oil lamps to cast iron pans and even handmade ladies’ shifts & men’s shirts were available to purchase.
Some reenactors pool their resources, sharing tents, tools and campfire cooking. Sharon Miller and Joanne Killick-Hill combined three tents for living, with rugs underfoot and a woodstove to provide heat on chilly nights. These ladies have taken part in historical reenactments for over 25 years and have custom-made beds, so they aren’t sleeping on the ground, with bespoke counters & storage units that add to the historic décor, while making packing up the camp much easier. Sharon and Joanne represent the limited number of women who accompanied men into battle. Camp Followers, women and children, did laundry, mended clothing, made the paper cartridges that held gunpowder for those fighting and were small merchants selling items such as soaps & buttons to soldiers.
Through information sessions, attendees to the War of 1812 reenactment weekend were enlightened about the uniforms that different levels of soldiers and officers wore and the purpose of each piece. Tom Dearhouse, counselor, advisor, member of the First Nations and of the Mohawks of Kahnawake, spoke of the impact his ancestors had helping and inspiring the soldiers defending Upper Canada. Tom also explained the significance of each piece of his clothing, such as his hat that had feathers arranged in a specific manner to represent his nation. He spoke of the first wampum belt made in 1613, that symbolized life in the Mohawk village representing the Five Nations at that time. Tom Dearhouse shed light on some principles of the Mohawk Nation, such as sharing the resources of the water & the land that produces food, while living in peace, to be of good mind – stronger when everyone is united.
Jesse Pudwell, historian and Glengarry Light Infantry soldier who provided the details of the unfolding “Battle of Glengarry”, was very informative to onlookers as the skirmishes took place. Jesse Pudwell provided details about how far a canon ball could travel and that a soldier’s pay, relative to the time, was a high paying job with the reward of a land grant upon retirement from the military. Soldiers were keen to come to defend Canada in 1812, where the average life expectancy was longer than that of a soldier in Britain, partly because of indigenous healing methods for those wounded in battle.
The War of 1812 at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum provided attendees the opportunity to view the lifestyles of those living in a military encampment. It was interesting to glimpse just a little of the home comforts that were maintained, while learning the engaging history of Upper Canada through reenactment participants, happy to share their passion and knowledge.
L’article War of 1812 Reenactment at Glengarry Pioneer Museum a great history lesson est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
