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Overview Hosted by Colonel Henry Tillier's Regiment of Foot (ECWSA) and Fort
Randolph, all early to mid-seventeenth century units and sutlers are
invited to attend this event. This event is designed to be a great fun time for allowing units to
participate in daily tacticals, sword skirmishes and living history
activities related to the Scots Wars of the English Civil War period.
It is hoped that this will become an annual muster, one that all units
will look forwards to each year. Fort Randolph is a reconstructed French & Indian War (eighteenth century)
fort. Besides the fort, the site has plenty of open and area for camping
and tactical demos. Most importantly, the site sponsors are very re-enactor
"friendly" and eager to hosting seventeenth century events! About the Fort The first fort was built in November 1774, named Fort Blair (after
John Blair), by Captain William Russell, who was both the designer and
builder, and stood on the apex of the upper angle formed by the confluence
of the Great Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Captain Russell evacuated the fort in June 1775, and it was destroyed.
Captain Mathew Arbuckle was ordered to rebuild the fort in May 1776,
and named it Fort Randolph in honor of Peyton Randolph. It was in this
fort that the murder of Cornstalk, the Shawnee chief, occurred. For
some unknown cause, the fort was evacuated in 1779, and burned by the
Indians. Probably in 1785, another fort was erected for the protection of the inhabitants during the Indian Wars. It was on the Ohio River bank, fifty rods above its predecessors. Colonel Thomas Lewis was in charge. The reconstructed Fort Randolph was built in time to honor of the American Revolution Bicentennial. Groundbreaking was on October 13,1973 and dedication was on October 13,1974. Site Facilities The fort's approximate size is 65 yards wide and 60 yards deep with
2 blockhouses at the front corners of the fort, measuring 12 feet by
12 feet for the lower level and 16 feet by 16 feet for the upper level.
Two 34 foot by 22 foot log cabins are located at the rear corners of
the fort, a 48 foot by 28 foot trading post stands between the log cabins
and a 12 foot x 24 foot blacksmith shop is also in the fort. Recent
addition has been two soldier's huts (4 men each) a carpenter's shop
and ramparts along the front of the fort. Outside the fort is a 20 foot
by 18 foot, 1-1/2 story hewed log house (circa 1840). While the fort does not have any cannon ports, the ECW soldiers are able to fire muskets over the front wall, as well as through the windows of the blockhouses, and there are spaces in the walls to allow for musket fire! Cannon will be placed at the gate, to fire from the open gate, or can be placed in a battery set up outside the walls. Cavalry and artillery are welcomed and encouraged! Orders of the
Daye There will be an HQ set up in the 18th century log cabin located in
front of the fort. The Tillier's flag will be visible to mark the location.
This is where you will register, and instructed where to set-up camp.
One military camp will be established outside the fort, sutlers will
be set-up inside the fort. This is a military muster, complete with all normal seventeenth century
military ceremonies (i.e., reveille, trooping of colours, etc.). Planned
activities include massed pike and musket, sword-fighting (fencing)
skirmish, and tactical/battle demos. Some other fun, but non-military,
activities are also planned as well, and the Muster Master is open to
any suggestions units may have. Saturday evening there will be a 'Fort
Tavern' set-up in the log cabin as a place for all participants to meet
for some period gaming, gambling and general reveling. Tactical battles and demos will occur in areas adjacent to and involving the fort (firing from the parapets, blockhouses, etc.)! The standard ECWSA Tactical Rules of Engagement (pike push with rubber pike points, etc.) will be used. Minimum authenticity requirements are posted by St. Mary's for attending
the Grand Muster (about the same as the Society's requires of non-Society
units for ECWSA musters):
Schedule
The following schedule is tentative and subject to change. Friday (Nov. 15th) Saturday (Nov. 16th) Directions
Always consult local highway maps to verify directions below. Please use map quest to get to Point Pleasant, WV. Once you're in the area use these directions: Crossing the Kanawha River: On the Barton Jones Bridge (the
only bridge leading into town) stay in the right hand lane and make
a right at the foot of the bridge. Follow this road (approximately 1/4
mile) until you come to a T in the road. Make another right, you will
travel a 1/2 mile or so. There you will see the lake on the left. As
you look across the lake you will see the fort. If you cross the Ohio River from Pomeroy: You will make a right
onto Route 62. Follow that road to and through Point Pleasant. When
you come to the McDonald's, take a left to continue on 62. Stay on this
and it will take you to the lake and the fort. If you are coming off of I-77: Follow Route 2 as if you are
coming into Point Pleasant. You will go under a small railroad bridge.
After going past the bridge, the road makes a gentle turn, be prepared
to slow down and make a right as the road straightens back out. The
fort and lake are right there. Upon Arrival: Go to the log cabin to check in. If no one is available locate the Muster Master in Tillier's Camp. Distances: Some approximate driving times are Arizona 14.75 hours, NJ 10.5 hours, Chicago, IL 8.5 hours, Louisville, KY 5.25 hours, Dayton, OH 3.5 hours, Pittsburg, PA 4 hours, and Central Maryland 7 hours. Modern Lodging: For those needing a motel, the following are
suggested local lodging. Ask specific directions to motel when you call
for reservations. |
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