Virginia Gazette, Parks, December 17, 1736, page 4

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Virginia Gazette, Parks, September 10, 1736, page 4

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An Account Of A Militia Scout And Skirmish. By Jason McClosky 22nd Of Nov 2009.

Painting By J.W. Filipski.

By Jason McCaskey.



To: TheHeidelbergPeople@yahoogroups.com


The call went out by Conrad Weiser to all of the neighbors of Berks County to assemble at my farm because of Indian raids. I grabbed my musket, oilcloth and blanket, snap sack (with extra clothes and supplies), canteen, enough rations for three days, hatchet, knife, shot pouch, powder horn and enough ball and powder to get me by. Not too long after, my neighbors Brent Schubert, Wilhem Grimm and Kapitain Schmid arrived within a few hours. We were to meet the other parts of our group on the way. Feldwebel Johann and his son Bryce, and Mark met up with us in route.


We were joined on route to the first battle by a detachment of rangers commanded by Kapitain Wulff, which increased our already limited numbers because of the raids. We arrived during the night. We unrolled our oil cloths under a nice stand of pine trees. We fell asleep quickly as we knew that we needed our strength to fight back the Indians and French in battle. We fought well in the first part of the battle, but were pushed back over a ridge back deep into the woods. Our rifles and muskets picked apart the invaders one by one as we fell back. The hunters, as we were called, moved from cover to cover making each shot count. The enemy was far from done, but retreated back from where they came. We knew, however, that the silence would not last. We took the time to take a few deep breaths and replenish our bodies with rations and water that our body much needed.


The afternoon grew closer. We knew that the enemy would the quiet of the woods and slowly push their way back into our sights of our rifles and muskets. We slowly crept through the woods, up and down ravines and hills. It was a beautiful sight. The wind was blowing the trees. It was peaceful, but not for long. We met another forward detachment of the French and natives. We had no sympathy for the natives after what they have done to many of the homes and people of this area. Once again the rifles and muskets shot out with precision. The years of hunting game in these woods was paying off. A few times the natives and French came close. Our hunting teams or "Jagdgesellschaften, challenged them with ball and swan shot. The swan shot was devastating, and our riflemen were taking shots at long range when needed. We thought that we had them beaten back, but I would soon find out I was mistaken.


We crept even further in the woods, one by one, our eyes scanning each tree, bush and snag for any movement. Each one of us shielded by our hunting partner, moved anxiously forward. Kapitain Schmid sent the rangers to our left flank, to shield our numbers. Like the Heidlebergers, they moved with quiet precision, making sure that no sound came from them moving forward. The woods, usually full of life, suddenly fell silent. We looked at each other knowing that we may have found the intruders. Shots rang out to our left, knowing that the rangers met some resistance. Kapitain Schmid silently gave signals to each hunting group to be ready. He sent Feldwebel Johan and Bryce to the right along with Mark and Schubert. Each hunting group was ready with ball and swan shot. Even with or small numbers, the savages met their end one by one. This was my first true skirmish, and it would not be forgotten. Suddenly we were rushed by a handful of savages on our left. I found myself face to face with a red savage swinging a club screaming like a thousand devils had come for me. I was struck in the head, knocked to the ground, and I believed that I may have met the end that so many of our German brethren have met during the bloody raids. Fortunately for me, my hunting partner, Herr Grimm and Kapitain Schmid were near. I did not know what was happening, as I was knocked unconscious and feared dead. The savage met a fitting end, as he was punished for attacking me by fascine and axe blade. The remaining savages were either wiped out by musket and rifle fire, blades and axes, or retreated farther into the woods. The Heidelbergers and Wulffs rangers held their ground to the invaders. We did what we had to do to win the day. We now have some time to reflect on what had just happened as the light starts to fade into the deep woods, eat rations and rest. For me, this was the first time meeting face to face with a red-faced savage. I was lucky this time. My neighbors saved my life this day. Next time, I would know how to handle myself better in battle. We knew that this would not be the last time that we would be meeting the savages. Our lands and neighbors need protection, so when called to meet for a patrol, many Heidelbergers, whether they are a farmer, teacher, apothecary, tradesman, etc, would go when needed.

I think this is a good story/account of a Living History activity. I think stories like these will attract more people into 18th century Living History.
Well done Jason.

18th century shelters for Historical Trekking & Camping.

Any port in a storm. This fallen tree will afford you shelter providing you are lying down, though there is room enough to sit up in the entrance. Other animals have been camping in here.

This hollow standing tree has obviously been used before!

This is a termite mound that has been burnt out and a doorway cut into it. These are good for camping in or using as a safe camp fire with your bedroll layed across the entrance for warmth.

A lean-to against a bank. This sort of shelter can also be made up against large fallen trees. You can use tree bark or use your oilcloth to cover it and place sticks on top to hold the roof covering on.

A woodland Indian Wigwam using reed matting as roofing and wall material.

The framework for the Wigwam.

A Wigwam using tree bark as covering and this one showing the doorway. A fire can be lit inside and the smoke goes out via a hole left in the centre of the roof.

Another type of woodland Wigwam using tree bark as a covering. Note the smoke hole at the top.

Another Wigwam of the same style showing the doorway. These too can be covered in rush or reed matting, though this one is covered in tree bark.

This is the simle framework for the conical Wigwam.

Another simple lean-to using two saplings for the main uprights. There is no tieing here. Forked limbs hold up the cross bar and the cross bar leans against the saplings. Timber is layed inside for a bed and the roof can be bark, reed matting or your oilcloth.

This half-faced shelter is basically a large lean-to with sides added. I actually fill in the sides on the small

lean-to in winter time. Once again this can be covered in bark or several of you can use your oilcloths for the roof. I have used an oilcloth to cover one of the sides on this half-faced shelter to stop the rain from blowing in from the South.

Hessians.

Curtesy of Flintlock & Tomahawk. http://flintlockandtomahawk.blogspot.com/2009/11/hessians.html

Water Bottles. Alternatives.

There are a number of alternatives to the leather costrel for carrying water, but they are either heavier or hold less water. But for those who are just beginning or for those who carry less weight anyway, these alternatives may be a viable option.

1601-1700AD. Will suit a later period but this type is heavy to carry. Very good for normal events where little travel is involved.

Similar types of bottle ranging from 17th century to 18th century. I found two modern made replicas in a second hand shop.

Dated 1701 this type of bottle can still be bought today containing port. Does not hold a lot but not too heavy either. Can be carried in knapsack or haversack or you can cover it in leather and add a strap for carrying.

1741-1760AD, Wine bottles were rarely thrown away in the 18th century at least not by the middling sort. These bottles were reused for carrying water or to contain cooking oil. There are modern wine bottles available today of very similar shape.

1530-1550AD. This one is a great find. The leather cover is believed to have covered the whole bottle and included ears for attaching a carrying strap. This is a glass costrel. Once again glass bottles of this shape are still being made and available in bottle shops. Should not be too hard to add a leather cover and a carry strap.

This copper kidney canteen dates to the French & Indian War. This is a replica.

An even lighter and less expensive alternative is a gourd canteen. These you can grow and make yourself. Be careful of mould spores when cleaning out the inside after drying, and make sure you do a good job of sealing the inside with melted beeswax.

The Leather Costrel/Leather Water Bottle.

Above is an original medieval period costrel, note the short length of cordage for carrying.

This Costrel is dated in the 14th century.

A 17th century Costrel.

Both of these Costrels are believed to have been made in the 18th century, dated at 1730AD.

My own 18th century replica leather costrel. Note the short leather strap with a toggle on one side for securing to the waist belt.


Leather Costrels date from the medieval era and into the 18th century using roughly the same pattern right through. I have seen long straps attached to modern replicas of the Costrel but found in use that this just adds more weight to my shoulders that are already burdened carrying a shot pouch, knapsack, and haversack. Then I read somewhere that infact the leather costrel was originally carried on a waist belt by a short strap or length of cordage. I contacted the Reverend and this is what he had to say about the Costrel:

"The costrel pictured here has a short leather loop handle that I thread a waist belt through to carry it when I’m on the march. It sits very comfortably on the hip and can be quickly accessed by undoing the belt. Nothing else is on that particular belt. The original the design was copied from was allegedly worn in this manner".
http://leatherworkingreverend.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/costrels/

I already wear a waist belt which is also used to secure my hunting knife and my tomahawk and I think adding another waist belt would not be very practicle, so using the short strap I have seen on originals I devised a method using a wooden toggle which I carved from a piece of willow to secure the Costrel to my belt in such a manner as I could easily remove the costrel without taking off the belt.
Whether or not this method was ever used in the 18th century I cannot say, but it seems reasonable that a thinking person could easily have devised this method for the same reason as myself. Meanwhile I will continue to research this.

Experimentation on carrying the Costrel on the belt have so far been very favourable, and my toggle method works very well.