The volunteers at the Busy Run Battlefield (in southwestern Pennsylvania) put on a fantastic event today, commemorating the high point of Pontiac’s War (the last major unified attempt of the native Americans to oppose British colonization in the aftermath of the French and Indian War).
The event continues tomorrow, with a very engaging series of small interpretive events starting at 11, supplying visitors with the historical context and the viewpoints of several different participants, a re-enactment of the ambush of a column of redcoats marching to resupply Ft Pitt, and a discussion of the aftermath. As is typical of re-enactments, participants set up base camps where they offer demonstrations and role-playing. The native American camp had a groundhog roasting on a spit. (it tastes like chicken, my son says. My daughter says it tastes like roast beef, which is ironic because she had refused a roast beef sandwich for lunch, but went back for multiple helpings of groundhog.) There are also vendors offering everything from carved wooden spoons to hand-made soaps.
The afternoon event was the interpretation of the second day of the battle, where the native forces continued their hit-and-run tactics, which had been very effective against the line formations of the British. General Bouquet distracted the natives fit a feigned retreat, while a group of solderers swung around and attackednthe natives from behind, taking them by surprise and routing them.
My son, who is quite the history buff, got to speak for about 20 minutes with a WWII vet, who told us of his participation in the battle of Iwo Jima.
When Peter gets a little older, we will probably get him started as a re-enactor. For now, we’re just gathering information. I find that when I walk up to a re-enactor with Peter, the re-enactor will generally start out directing their stories to me, but soon shift to Peter, since truth be told he has far more interest in the finer details of military history.