'Military Through the Ages' at Jamestown Settlement
More Than 30 Units To Depict First Century to Modern Times
March 17-18, 2012
Hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from the first century A.D. to modern times will come together on March 17 and 18 for Jamestown Settlement’s annual “Military Through the Ages.”
This year’s chronological display of military history will feature more than 30 groups based in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Among the units participating in 2012, the second year of the American Civil War’s 150th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg, are two Union units – the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry in 1861 and maritime group U.S.S. Aroostook in 1862 – and two Confederate units – Brooklyn Grays at Camp Lee, Va., in May 1861 and Nancy Hart Militia, female volunteer militia from Georgia in 1862. Ground troops will demonstrate military drills, uniforms and period cooking. The 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry will invite visitors to take part in hands-on company and bayonet drills, as well as present interpretation of Civil War medical treatment and civilian life on the home front.
This year also marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812, depicted by Fort Norfolk Garrison with stations to “recruit” visitors and allow them to drill with wooden muskets.
Re-enactors also will portray soldiers and military encounters from Roman and Celtic times, medieval period, Hundred Years’ War, War of the Roses, French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, and American Civil War. Re-enactors representing World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War and the Soviet War in Afghanistan take visitors through the 20th century, with the Virginia Army National Guard representing the present.
Re-enactors will show how uniforms, weapons and military tactics evolved through the centuries, as well as aspects of field communication and medical treatment. The event also showcases a variety of military vehicles and equipment.
Visitors are encouraged to interact with re-
enactors to learn how soldiers attired and armed themselves, as well as how they were fed and housed in times of war.
Among the weekend highlights are a Saturday afternoon children's parade and a Sunday afternoon posting of unit colors. The Sunday military parade concludes with an awards ceremony, in which re-enactor units are judged on camp sites, clothing and cooking presentations and field demonstrations.
Award recipients in 2011 were:
2011 RE-ENACTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
British 24th Regiment of Foot and Zulu Warriors, Anglo-Zulu War, 1879
2011 VISITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
British 24th Regiment of Foot and Zulu Warriors, Anglo-Zulu War, 1879
BEST UNIFORM/CLOTHING IMPRESSION – Early Period Pre-1879
First Place – Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein (The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment), 1529
Second Place – La Belle Compagnie, 1380s
Third Place – Nancy Hart Militia, 1862-65
BEST UNIFORM/CLOTHING IMPRESSION – Modern Period
First Place – British Army and NAAFI Canteen, 1941
Second Place – British 24th Regiment of Foot and Zulu Warriors, Anglo-Zulu War, 1879
Third Place – West Cork Flying Column, 1919-21
BEST CAMP COOKING – Early Period Pre-1879
First Place – Crewe of the Archangel, 1680-1730
Second Place – Tidewater Maritime Living History Associates, U.S.S. Aroostook and U.S.S. Galena, 1862
Third Place – His Majesty’s Detached Hospital in North America, 1781, and La Belle Compagnie, 1380s
BEST CAMP COOKING – Modern Period
First Place – The British Guards Division, 1918
Second Place – Grenadier Regiment 226, 1944
Third Place – West Cork Flying Column, 1919-21
BEST CAMP (Material Culture and Interpretation)
First Place – La Belle Compagnie, 1380s
Second Place – Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein(The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment), 1529
Third Place – Crewe of the Archangel, 1680-1730
BEST UNIT DEMONSTRATION
First Place – Grenadier Regiment 226, 1944
Second Place – 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry, 1864
Third Place – The Appin Regiment, 1745
