The Military Thought the Ages (MTA) event for 2019 was full of surprises.  The theme of this year’s event was “Tenacity: Women in Jamestown”.  This theme is portrayed in the BBC series, “Women of Jamestown”, which captures the struggles and trials of the first women to arrive at the Jamestown settlement in 1619.  In commemoration of the 300^th anniversary of this event, each reenactment group was asked to emphasize the role of women in their military time period.  This theme request was a challenge for the 95^th Rifles.  By order of the colonel, the 95^th Rifles could not take their wives to the Peninsula War.

However, some research turned up the love story of Harry and Juana Smith that began at the siege of Badajoz.  A monograph of this love story can be found in the “Research & References” section at our web site, www.95thsharpesrifles.com.

This year’s MTA was attended by 593 reenactors depicting time periods from the Roman legionaries of 100 AD to the modern Virginia National Guard.  Over 4300 spectators attended this two-day event.  Because this event has a 30-year history and is well advertised by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, many spectators came specifically to talk with certain reenactment groups.  The questions and historical discussions were enlightening and challenging.

Cathy Cripps was our lead presenter in the presentation of the theme.  Her discussion generated a lot of interest among the spectators.  Several spectators were especially interested in our story because they were historical friction writers of the Regency Era.  The fact that we had a true love story unique to our regiment to share with spectators was a special feature of our camp presentation.  We also had spectators learn to strike fire with flint and steel.  At one time we had four teenage boys on their knees working for 30 minutes determined to strike fire.  Bill Goumas was instrumental in enticing spectators into camp and showing our equipment layout.  Bill also managed to capture a recruit for us.

Our field demonstration was early on Saturday morning.  Because it was scheduled early, we only had the two judges and two spectators to watch Rich Miller and Dan Cripps show our loading and firing procedure and a 2-man skirmish exercise.  After 2 mis-fires and one shot, I displayed my improvisation ability and explained the importance of flint replacement in combat.  It’s amazing what a little smoke and mirrors can do!

To say the least, we were all surprised at the Sunday awards ceremony to receive a 2^nd Place award for the Field Demonstration in the Black Powder class!  The ribbon now proudly hangs on our new company guidon.

Our Saturday dinner was a regimental dinner held again at the King’s Arms tavern in Colonial Williamsburg.  There were two ladies (Cathy Cripps, and Kathy Tate), four riflemen and two children in attendance for a fine evening of comradeship.

At this year’s MTA we were joined by the 42^nd Royal Highland Regiment and the 88^th Foot (Connaught Rangers) of the Brigade Napoleon.  We took this opportunity to compare notes on British overcoats.  There is no surviving example of a Napoleonic overcoat.  We will continue to compare notes and come up with a common set of specifications.

Although we did not choose to participate in the camp cooking demonstration this year; the organizers had a surprise ingredient to be included in the cooking.  A rack of goat’s ribs was issued to the participating units with the challenge to include it in a period meal.  Perhaps we will try this dish at another event later this year.

The weather was wonderful all weekend without the usual rain, snow or freezing cold.  Everyone had a great time and we gained new ideas for living history events this year.  I would urge anyone who has not seen the BBC series on the “Women in Jamestown” to buy the DVD or watch it.  It is an excellent historical drama.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

James Tate

Sjt, 95^th Rifles, 1^st Battalion, 2^nd Coy