On a lovely summer morning, we walked through the Redcoat barricades into the historic area of Williamsburg, for the final day of "Under the Redcoat."  In stark contrast to the breezy, peaceful walk, the heady fragrance of the magnolias, the cheerful chirping of birds and the playful antics of the squirrels, was the entrance into town of spiny barricades, numerous coats of red marching in formation with muskets and bayonets,

 the woodsmoke from breakfast, and the steady beat of the drums.

The ominous drumbeats reminded us that our hoped for liberties were threatened.  Continually looking over our shoulders and peering around corners, we cautiously checked our words and chose our actions. If possible, we'd take more circuitous routes to avoid direct confrontation with a Redcoat, especially after the near arrest of my kids the day before.

     We were no longer confident guests.  Now we were careful partakers in a reenactment of history. This was merely a slice of the real thing. In 1781, the Redcoats were stricter, the drums and ammunition were noisier, three short days of occupation were actually ten long days, and the townspeople were more anxious.

     Since the sleepy town was not yet quite awake, we found an inconspicuous spot on a park bench across from Market Square, or so we thought. Before long we were approached by a Redcoat, with a surprising turn of consequences, as you will later read. I asked about his motivation and preparation to be a reenactor. My husband asked where he got his uniform.  We mentioned that our kids were nearly arrested the day before and he explained anyone in costume is fair game. He said other kids had come by the day before, asking how they could be arrested. When they found out they needed to be in costume, they rented costumes and came back to be put in jail. He assured us that kids are merely given a stern lecture at the guardhouse and then released.  

     After we talked a while, we went to the hospital at the Governor's Palace. We went to this display where we learned how the ladies helped. Nursing was not yet a profession. That began with Florence Nightengale and later with Clara Barton.  The ladies did not touch the patients.  But they did things like wrap bandages for the doctors to use on their patients.  The officers got the cleanest ones and the enlisted got the used ones.  Nothing was sanitized since the importance of that was not yet understood. The bowl with the spoon was barley water.  Although it's a bit slimy, it is nourishing for the weakest patient. As their condition improves, they can get oatmeal, in the next bowl. We learned a lot of interesting things about herbs, which I now forget.  (See why I keep coming back?  There is so much to learn! I also need that journal to jot notes in!)

Then we met the cook for the doctor. Officers got the best food and cooks, because they had the money for it. The most interesting thing that I remember from this table, is the sweet potato. White potatoes were not yet developed, not even in Ireland. Whenever you see a colonial receipt (recipe) that calls for a potato, it means a sweet potato.

We took the backroad (Nicholson Street) back to the Capitol, since we did not want to be captured.  Revolutionary City was about to start! We sat in front of Raleigh Tavern waiting for the "warm up" show to begin. It was nice to sit and rest without fear of Redcoats, when the friendly Redcoat quickly walked over to me.  He said he had been looking for me to give me something. After slipping some papers into my hand, he was gone. I barely had a chance to thank him. The kids asked what the paper was.  I excitedly opened it up.  He had given me a copy of the detailed scheduling for the British reenactors for "Under the Redcoat."  Wow! It was like receiving top secret paperwork!  

     Then we went to the Capitol for "The Army Attends Divine Service."

 All of the Redcoats came...

 The Anglican minister arrived to perform a drumhead church service.

What is a drumhead church service?  When my daughter saw that term, she thought of the same thing I did.  We recently read Billy Budd, where a drumhead court occurred on-board ship. The characteristics of a drumhead court is that it is unplanned and a drum might be used as a table.  We wondered about similarities. A drumhead church service takes place in the field, where there is no church building available. Drums might be piled up to represent an altar. Apparently this is a military tradition that goes back to the 1400's. I don't think drums were used for an altar at this service. We were surrounded by Redcoats and it was difficult to see everything. After praying, the chaplain read passages from a psalm, an epistle and from one of the gospels. Service ended with a hymn, "God Save the King."  We knew the tune ("My Country 'Tis of Thee") but not the words. We weren't about to sing it anyway, since we were loyal to the Patriot cause.  I kept looking over my shoulder to see if a Redcoat noticed.

     After the service, a carriage came through, which Col. Tarleton commandeered under much protest. 

Reluctantly they had no choice but to abandon their carriage...

...to the British.

Devastated, their beautiful carriage was now gone.

    Next we went behind the Coffeehouse in a lovely wooded area where squirrels like to frolic, chasing each other up tree trunks and across the branches.  While they played in the background, Benedict Arnold looked at maps, contemplating possible methods of attacking Lafayette.

   When General O'Hara arrived, he questioned Benedict Arnold as to why he chose this unusual location. Arnold said it was secluded enough that no one would overhear their plans.  We all laughed!  Then Arnold complained about Tarleton, as usual.  In the midst of the complaints, Col Tarleton and General Cornwallis arrived, escorted by several soldiers. This was feeling extremely realistic.

 The purpose of the meeting was to discuss strategy to attack Lafayette, who was about sixty miles away.  After some discussion among Cornwallis, O'Hara and Arnold, Cornwallis wanted to hear from Tarleton.

Tarleton hesitated to offer his ideas, knowing the resistance he'd face.  However, Cornwallis assured him he would listen.

Finally, Tarleton suggested that instead of attacking Lafayette, they should attack "Mad Anthony" Wayne.  That met with some positive feedback, since they had experience fighting him.  Wayne led the Pennsylvania Regiment and tended to engage his men with reckless abandon. If they could cripple Wayne, Lafayette's small army could easily be succombed. 

While we were completely riveted to this excellent scene, playful squirrels were running through the tree tops. Being chased, squirrel #1 leapt from one branch to another and tenaciously hung on, causing it to go b-o-i-n-g over Benedict Arnold's head, then he amazingly sprung to a branch in another tree.  Not to be outdone, squirrel #2 followed suit, leaping from the first branch to the next...except he missed the branch and fell onto the middle of the stage, causing a branch to crash in Benedict Arnold's face.  As we laughed, he immediately leapt up and scrambled up the nearest tree. Without missing a beat Tarleton said, "My Lord Cornwallis, I believe there are rebel squirrels about!" to which Cornwallis replied, "God save the King!"  My family and I laughed over that incident all day long. (Note:  No squirrels were harmed in the making of this scene. No squirrel was scripted to do this scene. No squirrel would ever listen to a human anyway.)

 Next we returned to the Capitol to meet with the Dragoons again, where we heard about warfare and horsemanship.

 Then we went to Raleigh Tavern, where men were recruited to join "In His Majesty's Service." Normally my husband would jump at a chance to do this. However, he was not going to change loyalties to the King. But these men did.

Then they marched to the Courthouse.  As we neared Botetourt Street, the Dragoons came around the corner and led the way.

Then they had to go through inspection at the checkpoint. At this point, I got on the sidewalk so I wouldn't have to deal with the Redcoats, all of whom were in the streets to check these recruits.

Finally they got clearance to pass through...

 ...and arrived at the Courthouse, where they were told to give their allegiance to the king. I bet none of them thought that would happen!  

After a rather leisurely lunch at the Courthouse, we went to the auction.  This was a lot of fun.  I'll blog about that separately, because this is an extremely unique auction for bargain hunters. However, it was interesting that one of the items up for auction was a replica liberty teapot, like one found in the museum. The auctioneer had second thoughts when he told us the details on it, and even looked over his shoulder while speaking softer.  No use stirring up those Redcoats, considering the jail was next door!

 As the end of the day neared, the troops assembled to be inspected by Cornwallis.

Then the troops prepared to leave town.

 As much as I truely enjoyed this weekend, that little part of me that emotionally experienced the ominous beat of the drums, the ever present Redcoats, the threat of being put into jail if I did not sign an oath of loyalty to the King...that little part of me felt a sense of relief as I watched them go.  Everything about British occupation (or occupation during any war) that I had read about in books or seen in movies had new meaning now...because this weekend, history had come to life "Under the Redcoat."