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Last Update: 3-9-01 |
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Diary of a Fusilier I became interested in reenacting when my father took us to several Civil War Reenactments that came to our area when I was younger. I had no interest in the Civil War or its history but enjoyed the show and the action. After becoming heavily involved in the Sharpe's series a gentleman contacted me regarding starting up a company of Rifles in my city, Stratford. Unfortunately, he assumed I was from Stratford, Connecticut. After bursting his bubble, and mine I must admit, I enquired as to other reenacting groups in the California area. He referred me to several and some web sites. Unfortunately most of these groups were Scottish Highland Regiments and I had no desire to wear a kilt. Not that there is anything wrong with kilts I just don't have a desire to wear one. Some time later one of my email requests for information was answered by Captain George Mack of the 23 Welch Fusiliers in America. After receiving some information I enlisted as a recruit in his company. I am now in the process of ordering my gear and uniform which is no small feat. The uniform has to be hand made and some of the items are tricky to get. 9-5-98: I have made it a new rule that whenever I make an entry into the diary, I will put a date with it to let you all know when it happened. This last week, I finally recieved my musket in the mail. The Brown Bess Musket is a beautiful weapon the measures about five feet long. The musket with socket bayonette attached is several inches taller than may lanky 6 foot tall frame. Most soldiers wrote home to their families telling them that they had married Brown Bess. This reference probably notes the close relationship the soldier shared with the weapon and the long hours spent with it. The rebel colonists could boast that not only did they get the gun but often the girl also. Sometimes I wonder if it wasn't the King's troops who got the better deal (written while my wife belts me in the back of the head). Anyway, I'm still waiting for some of the pieces for the uniform. After I get them, I will have to go to the regimental seamstress to have it made. I can't wait. I'll fill you in on more later. Long live King George! 1-5-99: Well winter is upon us and the bitter cold chills us to the bone. In June our unit will be playing the honor guard to her majesty the Queen in a special ceremony in Wales. We will also be taking on some rebel scum in the vacininty of the Hunington Library in February. It seems that the rebels have made quite a nuisance of themselves and have severely vexed those loyal to the crown. The Royal Welch will make short work of them, I am sure. It will be my first battle and the thought exillerates me. Within the next few weeks I should recieve all of my regimentals and be prepaired to deliver brimstone to the enemy. I will let you all know how the battle goes. Until then all that we have is some drilling to pass the time. 2-10-99 We go to battle on Saturday. Our enemy is to be the rebel Delaware regiment. An empty feeling sits in my stomach as I contemplate tasting my first battle!
Captain Joseph Fergusson's Company of the 23rd RWFA is part of a large national organization with companies in the southeast, mid-Atlantic, midwest, northeastern states,and California. Check out the "Pictures Page" of this web site for more information on the 23rd RWFA. |