Two days, threat of rain, so what’s new here? It was a well-attended event with over 15 in attendance and a surprise visitor from a fusilier from the past, Andy Nedelka and his family who arrived on the scene in kit both days. It was great having Andy Nadelka and his family join us after a very long absence.

Saturday had two battle demonstrations, one tactical before lunch and one big one after lunch. Like last year, where the British Army slightly outnumbered the rebels, this year it was like 2-1 in the British favor.

The British fielded 4 guns and three battalions of close to 140 troops. Rain threatened to dampen Sunday’s activities, but luckily the weather petered out over the evening and early morning thus allowing for the complete day’s events to unfold. The 23rd once again took to the field and thoroughly trounced the rebel foe and under the impetuous direction of Shane Reilly, seizing the opportunity during a flanking maneuver, commanded the 23rd to assault a rebel artillery battery thus capturing it—the British Brigade gave us credit for the capture (we will add this trophy to our artillery capture from Guilford Courthouse in 2024).

Also of note was a rare opportunity organized by the Commander of the British Brigade and the British Embassy in DC to attend their open house. A small group of select representatives from the British Brigade spent most of Saturday at the British Embassy in full kit engaging with the public (expected 8,000 plus visitors) and British embassy personnel. Jack Pritchard, Denis Messier and Eric Spaar represented the 23rd along with members of the 14th and 64th Regiments. Everyone was back in ranks for the afternoon battle.