This was a living history event at Old Bedford Village, Bedford, PA. Riflemen in attendance were John Dittamo, Dan’l Cripps, Bill Goumas, Rich Miller and Jim Tate. Kathy Cripps, Dan’l’s wife, joined us for this event and was a welcome addition to our presentation.
For the 2nd Company this was both a demonstration and a training event. As a step to improving our authenticity we learned how to start camp fires with flint and steel. Matches were not invented in the early 19th century and the ability to strike sparks with flint and steel was an important means of starting fires. Dan’l Cripps is very experienced in this method of fire starting and helped all of us to learn this technique. It is important to have char cloth (Dan showed us how to make this tinder) and frayed rope, or hemp, to catch the spark and start the fire. While learning this technique we were able to demonstrate this method to spectators and allow them to try this method for themselves.
We also experimented with a magnifying glass as a starter; and using the flint and steel in the rifle lock to ignite the char cloth.
In addition to fire starting, we conducted firing demonstrations each day. Rich Miller showed spectators how bullets, toy soldiers and buttons were cast using lead in the early 19th century. This demonstration attracted many spectators.
John Dittamo was in charge of the mess arrangements for the weekend and we ate well. Bill Goumas brought a raised fire grate that allowed us to cook without the need to dig a fire pit. This grate will be very helpful at events where the site must be protected and fire pits are not allowed for cooking.
We were billeted in House #4 on the main village square. This central location brought all the spectators to our displays and demonstrations. The OBV staff counted over 600 spectators for the weekend which was a very good crowd for the village.