The 245th anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was a most memorable event for us this year. We had record attendance fielding 25 (2 officers, 2 Musicians and 21 muskets). We celebrated St David’s Day with a dinner, leek ceremony and special program honoring America’s 250th birthday complete with music provided by a Scottish bagpiper. We saw for the first time in over a decade the return of the Silver Collection to St David’s Day. Only about a third was on display this year, but more will be brought out next year. I will be soliciting volunteers to help polish the silver.
As has become the custom, we shared our festivities with invited guests the 33rd and 14th regiments along with special guests from the 64th regiment, Dave Snyder and Dan Fultan. And Ken Spaar, Jr. (R#23, GR#7) and his lovely wife Miyuki came all the way from California to field with us and share in the celebration. New recruit Hayes Wauford, an avid wargamer, provided a tabletop 28mm miniatures wargame for us all to play Friday evening focused on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Reflections of Pvt. Jones on campaign at Guilford Courthouse.
Friday night before the battle, we assembled our lead strategists to compete in ‘war games’, at friendly lodging up the road. We setup camp on the banks of the Jaycee pond, and endured a night of bitter cold. But alas, it was our zeal to do our duty that helped us awaken, and fight back those who would tear this empire apart! Saturday morning, the sun rose, and so did our spirits. His Majesty’s Royal Welch Fusiliers again proved their service to the crown, by bravely capturing the battlefield Saturday in the most upstanding charge, up-hill, both ways, through the forest. Though the rebels may claim that we took significant causalities, I can assure you every sacrifice was necessary for Crown and Country. Saturday evening we engaged in our annual St. David’s Day dinner, where we celebrated some new faces among the unit. After a hefty feast and merry drinking, we retired back to the banks of the Jaycee park pond, to endure the bitter cold of a second night. Sunday morning, the sun rose yet again. And with it, our resolution to meet the enemy head on. Though we were fewer in numbers, we held firm in another assault upon the rabble of rebels, to which we gained another victory for his Majesty! It was with great honor that I served among those in the southern company, that weekend. Never were there braver souls among the scarlet, than those faces among the line.” God save the King!
