Bicentennial Encampment & the Battle at Camp Woodhaven
Scenario and Event Overview
Late in the War for American Independence, area militias and the citizens of West Boylston have heard that a British Force supported by artillery has come South from Canada. There is a fear that this British Force may be after the supplies that are located in West Boylston. New England troops returning home from the Highlands and a few French troops returning from the South have been engaged in reconnaissance missions to ascertain the strength of the British Force. When the British surprise the gathered French and American troops a battle ensues for the supplies needed by both sides.
This reenactment scenario will be part of the presentation for the West Boylston Bicentennial Celebration. It will include encampments on the town common and the Bigelow Tavern. We will also have use of the Bigelow Tavern for the participants on Saturday night. The Bigelow Tavern is an original building that was actually used during the Revolution as a gathering place. In its attic are original chalk drawings depicting the trial and execution of Bathsheba Spooner and her accomplices for the mid-war murder of her husband. This tavern will be used by the Ladies of Refined Taste for their excellent demonstrations through out the weekend (see their invitation to the public and reenactors). Beer and wine will be sold from a beverage tent on the common from 3–9 p.m. on Saturday night.
The battle and tactical will be held on private land at Camp Woodhaven approximately 1.5 miles from the common. Camp Woodhaven encompasses 65 Acres—not including the addition of adjacent land next to the camp that will be made available by the time of the battle. Terrain varies from woods with trails and limited undergrowth to open fields. Responses from the walk-through in the early spring were either “wow” or “amazing”. We are working with the owner to facilitate the availability of this site for later events, not necessarily tied in with the Town, for our own tacticals. Transportation will be provided starting at 9:30 AM from the camps to the battle/tactical site.
Schedule of Events
Friday, June 6th
Registration and set up for participants and sutlers. Registration will be at the Catholic Church next to the Common from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Interpretation for the West Boylston Schools. Volunteers may contact Steven Taskovics or Ellie Hutchinson.
Saturday, June 7th
- 9:00–9:30 Rededication Ceremony of memorials to West Boylston Revolutionary War veterans.
- 9:30–5:30 Buses to and from the Common and outer parking lots and the battle site at Camp Woodhaven.
- 10:00–3:00 A “Hive” Sewing Bee at the Bigelow Tavern.
- 10:00–Noon Morning tactical exercises at Camp Woodhaven.
- Noon–12:45 Nooning at Camp Woodhaven.
- 12:45–1:15 Troops form for the Battle of West Boylston.
- 1:15–2:15 Battle of West Boylston.
- 2:15–2:45 Pass in Review.
- 2:45–4:45 Afternoon tactical exercises at Camp Woodhaven.
- 4:30–5:30 Board buses back to Town Center.
- 4:30–6:30 Saturday evening meal—free of charge to participants–at Masonic Hall across from Town Common and British Encampment.
- 7:00–9:00 Concert on the Common—Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums.
- 3:00–9:00 Beverage tent open on Common.
- 10:00–10:00 Food vendors open on Common.
Sunday, June 8th
- 9:00–9:30 Church services on the town common.
- 10:00–11:30 Units drill in preparation for competition—camp sites and town common.
- 10:00–12:00 Morning Levee (tea) for distaff at the Bigelow Tavern.
- 11:30–Noon Nooning.
- 12:30–2:00 Competition for Strawbery Banke and Boston Garrison Cups. Drill and Maneuver competitions on Town Green and Town Common. Competition may go longer than 2:00 depending on the number of participants.
- 2:30–3:00 “Last Man Standing” speed firing competition at the Town Green wall at the cemetery.
- 3:00–3:30 Results of competition and awarding of Strawbery Banke and Boston Garrison cups and prize for the “Last Man Standing”.
- 3:30 PM Break camp—safe home.
Registration
Registration will start on Noon Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church located at 111 Worcester Street (Rte 140) in West Boylston near the common and the Beaman Cemetery (see directions). Tables will be manned by town volunteers and reenactors until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, and will resume at 7:30 AM on Saturday, June 7. It is important that all participants register to determine proper counts for the tactical, to receive tickets for the Saturday evening supper and libations, and to receive any final information and parking passes.
Camps
The Allied Camp (Continental Line and Artillery, Militia, and French) will be located at the Bigelow Tavern. The Crown Camp (British Line and Artillery, Loyalist, and German) will be located at the Town Green between Church and Central Streets. Modern camping—if needed—will be behind the Masonic Hall on Church Street. All sites are grassed and flat.
Amenities
The town will be providing the typical amenities of wood, water, and hay. Water will be town water through manifold distribution at the Tavern and Green sites. Porta-potties and wash basin stands will be set up behind the Tavern and Masonic Hall and at Camp Woodhaven. They will be cleaned at regular intervals throughout the weekend. Running water will be available all day. The concession stand at Camp Woodhaven will be open; however, it is recommended that all tactical and battle participants pack a haversack meal similar to the events at Battle Road. There will be limited to no opportunities to return to camp once the tacticals and battle have begun.
Parking and Transportation
All reenactors will be parked at lots within a 2–3 minute walk from the camp sites. At both the Tavern and Green sites, there is temporary parking close to the camp sites to facilitate off-loading of gear. Due to the rough camping areas available at Camp Woodhaven, all camping will be at the Tavern, Green, or behind the Masonic Hall. The Town will provide a locked lot at the DPW for trailered artillery pieces to facilitate transport on Saturday to the Camp Woodhaven site. Parking for artillery trailers will be available at Camp Woodhaven on Saturday. Once cars are parked, transportation will be provided to and from the battlefield for the reenactors and the public since there are limited to no places to park at Camp Woodhaven.
Safety and Security
Once camps are set up starting Friday afternoon, there will be police and security details at both camps. An EMT/Ambulance and fire apparatus will be available at the Camp Woodhaven site in case of an emergency involving either the public or reenactors or in the event that a small grass fire should start from either the musket firing or the artillery.
All firing permits have been drawn by a member of the Crown Forces. Both the Police and Fire Chiefs have attended planning meetings and are well aware of and support the events during the weekend. Battle areas will be roped or taped off for public around the permanent buildings at Camp Woodhaven.
Food and Entertainment
There will be a ham and bean supper provided to all pre-registered participants provided by the Town on Saturday Evening between 4:30 to 6:30. Four seatings will be scheduled for all reenactors and dependants. The organizers and the host groups are working on providing libations to the reenactors at the Tavern prior and after the Fife and Drum concert on the common.
A concert of period fife and drum music will be provided by the Middlesex County Volunteers from 7:00 to roughly 9:00 PM.
Women’s Activities
Saturday: The Ladies of Refined Taste will hold a “Hive” Sewing Bee from 10-3 at the Bigelow Tavern. “Bring a sewing project, perhaps something you are stuck on and need help with, or just come and visit. The tavern will be buzzing—so join us for as little or long as you like.”
Sunday: “The Ladies of Refined Taste, on behalf of our event hosts The Regiment de Saintonge, cordially invite you to a Morning Levee from 10–12 at the Bigelow Tavern. Please join the Ladies for this social event. Wear your finest frippery or lowliest camp clothes; all are welcome to enjoy the entertainments, conversations and refreshments.”
Note: BYO Chair
Drill, Maneuver, and Firing Competitions
Due to the cost, the Town can only provide one day of transportation for the participants and spectators. To make the weekend an interesting event, the Strawbery Banke and Boston Garrison Cup competitions will be held on Sunday. The three main events will be execution of drill, maneuvers, and firing. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 men at arms and one officer or sergeant. Music is not included in the team count, but are encouraged to participate as part of their unit.
For the drill competition, each unit will be judged on the execution of their drill based on their manual. All published elements of your drill will have to be executed—including that of the bayonet, since this is late war. Units will be judged on accuracy of drill, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing.
For the maneuver competition, each unit will be judged on the execution of maneuvers based on their drill. At a minimum, maneuvers will include all facings while standing, wheels, obliques, marching in line and column, passing defiles, and bayonet charges. Units will be judged on accuracy of maneuvers, dress, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing.
For the drill and maneuver competitions, additional or unique elements will add to the score, but will also detract from the score if not executed properly. As usual, bribery of the judges will not be discouraged.
For the firing competition, each unit will be judged on how fast a unit can safely fire five rammed charges. All units will fire in one rank standing. The first round will be loaded by vocal command with all evolutions executed. Time for the remaining rapid fire rounds will start when the command to fire is given by the commanding officer/sergeant of the unit. Units will be judged on crispness of firing, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing. Deductions will be awarded for each misfire or dropped round. Units not firing in a safe manner will be disqualified.
The final event is known as “The Last Man Standing”. All registered participants, including members not part of a team, are encouraged to participate. This event will determine who is the fastest individual within the BB or CL. Time will begin at 35 seconds and count down by 5 seconds until 25 seconds. Time will count down by one second thereafter until there is a last man standing. Time starts from the firing position and ends when the musket is at the shoulder. If time is called—usually through a whistle blow—before the musket is at the shoulder, that individual is disqualified. When the musket is fired, if there is a misfire, that individual is disqualified. An individual moves to the next round only when the musket has got to the shoulder within the allotted time and has discharged. If the top three individuals are part of a participating competitive unit, then points will be awarded to each unit that the individual is part of.
At the end of the competition, the Strawbery Banke and Boston Garrison Cups will be awarded as well as the prize for “The Last Man Standing”.
See the complete rules. These were forwarded to all unit commanders in mid-May. If there is a member of your unit that would like to be a judge/referee for the competition, then let Steven or Ellie know.
Directions
The Registration site will be at Our Lady of Good Counsel church located at 111 Worcester Street in West Boylston, MA (a large white church). The directions are fairly straightforward; however, signs guiding participants will be provided to help direct folks to the Tavern and the Common.
Coming from the East
Take 495 to Exit 25 for I-290 West. Follow I-290 W to Exit 23B / Rt. 140N. Follow Route 140N into West Boylston for approximately 5 miles. Before the center of town, bear right into the parking lot of Our Lady of Good Counsel church. You will be given a packet upon registration that contains a map directing you to camp sites and parking lots for reenactors.
Coming from the West via Mass Turnpike (RT 90)
Take RT 90 to I-290 East. Follow I-290 E to Exit 23B / Rt. 140N. Follow Route 140N into West Boylston for approximately 5 miles. Before the center of town, bear right into the parking lot of Our Lady of Good Counsel church. You will be given a packet upon registration that contains a map directing you to camp sites and parking lots for reenactors.
Coming Via RT 190
Take 190 to Exit 5 (W. Boylston/Princeton) to West Boylston. Take Rt 140 South. Follow Rt. 140 South over the bridge following the road left onto Worcester Street (which is still Rt. 140 South). At the light in the center of town, bear left onto Worcester St. and pull into the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church parking lot.
Need Additional Information?
For more information, please contact Steve Taskovics at frenchfifer@yahoo.com or Will Hutchinson at euhutchinson@yahoo.com.