Well, this is going to be a long recap because it was a high for Horsfall’s Company and the Regiment. We had 27 Fusiliers in attendance as well as a Saint David’s day dinner of around 60 people.
The weekend event began with a large group mustering at the 23 rd Airbnb on Friday night – Corporal Tim Brieaddy was kind enough to bring a Command and Colors game and act as gamemaster. Others mingled, drank, ate pizza, and enjoyed the evening.
On Saturday we mustered at the battlefield at 9am. It was an impressive site with 27 members in attendance (that’s with a few last-minute cancellations). The 23 rd was far and away the largest British Regiment in attendance and everyone said the unit looked sharp. A special addition to our camp was provided by Kathy and Allen Hughes who set up a tavern complete with authentic cooking demonstrations, delicious food, and comfortable seating for many of us to enjoy throughout the weekend. We hope that they field with us again…they have an open invitation.
After lunch, the Regiment marched out with a very large and impressive British force to the battle staging area for the battle of Guilford Courthouse set to begin at 2pm. We moved up a hill to the crest – there we engaged the first line of the Continentals. Fusilier Gabe Everman shot his first round out of his new musket on the first volley.
We continued to press on the Americans until we reached the clearing where the main American force was assembled. We broke through the wood line only to be met by a thunderous canon volley which decimated our ranks. The remaining Fusiliers reorganized and fired on the Americans. Eventually the remnant moved forward and captured the American canon in a splendid show of determination.
Later that evening the Regiment moved on to our Saint David’s Day dinner at Heritage Hills Banquet facility. Sheila Spaar and Valerie Barclay did a tremendous job decorating the venue to fit our Saint David’s Day dinner. A display and video presentation was set up highlighting the regiment, St David’s Day and it’s Silver Collection along with a special memorial dedicated to Capt. Tom Pieper, who passed away of 03 March 2024.
The Fusiliers, invited guests including the 33rd Regiment, began the night listening to Lance Corporal Shane Watson playing his fiddle and partaking in drinks and appetizers. The formal dinner commenced at 6:30pm. Captain Alex Ivanchishin provided some opening remarks and a short remembrance of Tom Pieper and what he meant to the Regiment, followed by the first toast of the evening to Tom. Traditional regimental toasts were then made throughout the dinner. Lastly, the leek party entered and new Fusiliers, promoted Fusiliers, and guests partook in the leek ceremony. The leek was “enjoyed” by many, and some “enjoyed” it several times. A rousing singing of the Men of Harlech ended the festivities.
A special thanks to Sheila Spaar, Anne Everman, Valerie Barclay, and Brandy King for serving and cleaning up after the dinner.
Sunday saw around 21 Fusiliers in attendance. We mustered at 10am for drill and reorganization. We had a different scenario for Sunday—Battle of Wetzell’s Mill, a battle that occurred on 6 March as prelude to Guilford Courthouse—which saw us on the left flank of the British Army. We moved through the woods emerging onto the battlefield facing the Americans. We matched them volley for volley eventually pressing forward with bayonets and forcing them back.
At the very end of the battle, we performed mourn arms in honor of Captain Tom Pieper – our former Regimental Commander and Captain of the Mid-West Company. Jay Callaham (event narrator) announced our intentions to the crowd. They were very quiet and respectful.
