[ Post a Response | Brigade Napoleon Message Board ]
Posted by Ken Hall
on 9/6/2005, 11:25 am
24.164.111.121
John,
Thank you for the reply and I would like to address some of your concerns.
My first question is in regard to the venue, do you object to the site or it's location? I personally, after some 20 years in the hobby know of no more reenactor friendly historic site then Old Bedford. If there is a problem with that aspect of the Village, i.e. accomodations, staff, etc. I would like to know as it has escaped metion on all other occasions. If it is because it is in the same place for a 2nd year running and to allow ease in the horse management area, that is a different matter.
Let me address your issues.
First, for several years the attempt to locate the Grand in different parts of the country, east coast mostly but also in the south and Canada, suffered from poor attendence, program difficulties or both, to the point that the event, and the orgazination as a whole, was in a difficult situtation. The new executive board, elected last Sept. at the School of the Soldier identified the lack of a good tactical, well attended and at one location, ( with which we now have a well established excellent working relationship) as being the major cause for the difficulties Brigade Naploeon was suffering from. How do you recruit troops to put the time and effort into Napoleonic uniforming and drill and then tell them there is no place to go in North America to do this at except small events with 15-20 reenactors or a time line? Most Naploeonic reenactors are not new to the hobby, this may be their 3rd or 4th impression and I believe they are the best of the best. But they have also seen large events and know the difference numbers make on the field. Their other alternative is the expense of a trip to Europe. That for most of us is a once or twice in a lifetime reenacting experience. Both Rod and Rick have had experiences with WW1 reenacting where the "lets move it around" idea took hold and it also nearly destroyed the time period there. When they went back to a steady site and date, attendence and the hobby grew. 1812, in which I am Master of Horse, is now doing the same, i.e. moving to different sites, but they are all established 1812 locales which have held events, most yearly. In the end this turns out to be a more "all up" event instead of something new. Please remember we have no location here in North America which has a Napoleonic conncection to call our own.
So in the end you voted us in to change things and get the ship sailing straight and I hope we have. Our Grand was well attended, had good fights and the hospitality of the Village was enjoyed by all. Yes, it was hot. And we have also looked at solving that problem, for the Labor Day date puts us in the mountains of Central Pennsylvaina in what amounts to early fall. (For the School in Bedford at the Bison ranch the last weekend of this month I have advised preparing for cool weather, as it could be in the 40's at night according to the owner of the ranch.) True, the date does still fall in the summer time period, but I would hope, given where we are, not in "the dog days". Additionally, that weekend is celebrated on both sides of the Border and will give our Canadian friends, our best source of Redcoats, a chance to drive home without the need to get to work on Monday. As this of course does for everyone else.
Second, in regards to the horse issue, a lot of us do truck "old Paint", though that is becoming increasingly more difficult to afford. An infantry man (or 4 if you car pool-try car pooling 4 horses in a two horse trailer!) can still put his kit and musket (with no need for a tent at Bedford) in the back of the van and head to the event. The logistics for cavalry are tremendously more involved and expensive. Coordinate hay (50 bales delivered for the cavalry for the School on Thur. evening at the Bison ranch, plus losing 2 days work to be there and help to unload and setup- wife and myself), 8 or so horses coming from the Philly area that are cavalry sound (ever try fighting from a "sure he"ll be ok" mount under fire rented from some character who is only interested in your $200 for the weekend and not you health?), let alone water and and shade so the animals can be comfortable and you will see why, unless someone steps up and knows these requirements, that a known site appeals to the mounted arm. Cavalry is not that easy to more around. Yes, we may be able to go somewhere in the mid west, but finding gun sound horses and the right place to use them is no easy chore, unless someone wants to pay me for this job. Given the size of the Brigade overall, around 100 members, we still put 15 or more horses on the field regurlarly. That is an accomplishment and it is because of the location. I have ridden in the FandI time period, the Rev. War, 1812, and the Civil War and the Civil War is the only other time that can consistanty mount that many troops. Move out of the area by much ( I am here talking of 3-4 hours) and you will not have that turn out. Percentage wise cavalry attendence at events in the Brigade is very high. It most likely will out number the infantry at the School.
Finally, let me say that what we are doing for the Grand in 2006 in no way precludes other area's of the country holding events and inviting the Brigade to attend. California is the prime example and I would hope and expect that some of our members would be able to return the favor of their attending the Grand in 2005 by "going west young man" in the Spring of '06 to their event. I personally would love to see the Greys in action.
I hope this gives a better understanding of the hows and whys this site was selected for a second year and that the Duchy's troops will be able to support the Brigade as we move on to the 2006 campaign season.
Thanks for your time,
Ken Hall
President, Brigade Napoleon
PS- again, thank you all and yes I do know that the 1812 Grand will be in New York the 3rd weekend in June. It makes the Labor Day date even more workable.
I will also post this letter to the Discussion Fourm.
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