by Grenadier T. R. Kissel, RWFA
During what seems to have been a lifetime of being a "history buff" and wondering what actually happened during famous historical events, I have often thought about what it would be like to relive those special moments in time. Not just to read about a famous battle, but to actually be a part of it -- to hear the muskets, smell the gunpowder, feel the roar of cannons, and watch armies collide. That to me would represent the ultimate in historical time travel.
I fulfilled that dream for the very first time at Monmouth, New Jersey, as the newest member of the Grenadier Company of The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America. I was a little nervous -- after all, I had only practiced drilling for one hour and had never experienced someone pointing and firing a musket directly at me (Desert Storm doesn't count as I was in a jet and we didn't use muskets). It was hard for me to actually believe that I was recreating a famous battle until I saw the Rebel line standing no further than 25 yards away preparing to fire their muskets at us. I could see their faces and hear their officers yelling orders as they hurried to beat our volley but failed and had to withdraw leaving behind some of their fallen comrades. As we marched across a wooden bridge, I noticed a rear guard protecting us against any advances by the Rebels. At that point, it seemed as though the clock had been turned back over 200 years. I no longer noticed the crowd watching the battle but completely concentrated on the fighting. The roar of the battle, the taste of gunpowder, and the charge of fixed bayonets made me feel for a brief, glorious moment that I was truly back in the 18th century and not in our modern world.
As I reflect back on the unique battle experience and the members of The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America, I recall many impressions our unit, now my unit, gave me that day. Overall, what The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America represented to me was a well trained and disciplined unit that enjoyed not only the excitement of battle but the camaraderie among its members. I look forward to participating in many events in the future, and I am proud to be a member of this great unit!"
Links to Living History Groups, and Historic Sites
Links to Revolutionary War Reenactment Groups
Regimental Information
"The Fusilier" Regimental Newsletter
A Brief History of the 23rd Foot
Traditions of the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Welch Fusiliers & United States Marine Corps