Overview
October 18th - 20th, 2002
Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland
MAJOR
Muster Master - Bob Giglio (Capt. Fox)
Phone (Evenings): 410-465-7688
Email: ECWCaptain@aol.com

The annual Grand Muster at Historic St. Mary's City is the site of the 1634 settlement and capital of the colony of "Marie-land" (Maryland), and is a fitting location for a gathering of those representing the 17th century through participation in living history.

Grand Muster starts Noon Friday (Oct. 18th) - 3 days of 17th-century activities! Friday will be the musket, pistol and crossbow competitions. Different than last year, there will be a re-enactment of John Coode's Rebellion (1680s) and the storming of the Statehouse at St. Mary's on Saturday, and a "sham fight" (open-ended tactical) on Sunday.

There will be the usual competitions for the Peterkin Memorial Trophy (Best Unit). During the weekend there will also be fencing competition, musketry, pistol, crossbow, Ensign, campfollower work dress, lady's formal dress and cooking competitions. Saturday evening there will be a 17th century country dance in the State House (or outside, weather permitting), as well as the usual and expected revelry in the Society's camp! Also Saturday evening there will be a lecture on the period, with music, gossip, and refreshments.

Site Facilities

The Grand Encampment of units will be by the 1676 State House, for which the sponsor will provide drinking water, bathrooms, firewood and bedding straw. Shower facilities are available Saturday night at the college gym (for those wanting such, bring towel, etc. Site fee is $4/person (collected by each unit).

The Society camp (termed 'Society Hill') is behind the State House nestled in the few trees along the beach overlook, and provides a nice view of the river and away from the crowded main encampment area.

Orders of the Daye

Since the Society won the Peterkin Memorial Trophy (Best Unit) for a third time last year, the ECWSA will not enter in this competition, which includes cooking and campfollower dress competitions.

As in past, a Provost Marshal from St. Mary's will be in charge of nighttime sentinels that every unit must contribute to. This year the "sham fight" (tactical) on Sunday morning will be full-ranging, using the entire area between the Visitor's Center and the encampment with a stated objective, as suggested last year. This will provide for a more exciting engagement, much like was done years ago. For all engagements St. Mary's City safety rules are in force (very similar to ECWSA rules).

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):

1. Bulk powder to be kept in appropriate 'magazine.' A unit military ammo can/box is good.
2. As always, all arms and ammunition are subject to inspection.
3. Modern items (sleeping bags, coolers, etc.) to be kept out of view between 9 AM and 5 PM.
4. Please use period drinking vessels. Please keep cans and modern bottles out of sight.
5. To aid in authenticity of self and camp, please consider old style glasses and, where period shoes are not available, modern pairs cut down to look period are to be used.
6. Please do not bring whistles, modern musical instruments or "boom boxes."
7. Please keep camp clear of any modern trash at all times.

Please make plans to arrive on site Friday (Oct. 18th) by 9 AM for camp set-up, as all vehicles must be off-site by 10 AM! If for some major reason you cannot arrive at this time, then please be on-site Friday evening after work.

Schedule

The following schedule is tentative, but based on last year's Grand Muster, and is subject to change.

Friday
Site opens for camp set-up (arrive by 9 AM)
1200 - General Camp activity begins; Mid-day Meal
1400 - Musketry, Pistol & Crossbow Live Fire Competitions
1700 - Evening Meal
1800 - General Meeting (All attendees should attend)
Unit Commanders & Representatives Please Note: The ECWSA Council of War (Board of Directors) Meeting will be in the afternoon and finish in the evening.

Saturday
0700 - Reveille
0730 - Stand to Arms - Morning Drill & Maneuvers (ECWSA)
0800 - Breakfast; All modern items must be secured
0830 - Officer/NCO meeting (re: "opposing forces")
0900 - Final Musket, Pistol & Crossbow Live Fire Competitions
1000 - Swordplay Competition; Camp activities/games begin; Site open to public
1200 - Stand to Arms - Drill & Firing Maneuvers (ECWSA)
1300 - Mid-day Meal; Cooking Competition Judging
1400 - Stand to Arms - Push of Pike Training
1500 - Artillery Demonstration; Work Dress Competition Judging
1600 - Re-enactment of 1680s Coode's Rebellion and storming of Statehouse
1700 - Dinner; Showers open at College Gym
1900 - Lecture on the Period in the State House
2000 - State House festivities; Ensign Competition, Formal Dress Competition Judging

Sunday
0730 - Reveille
0800 - Breakfast
0830 - Stand to Arms - Safety Inspection (ECWSA)
0900 - Opposing Forces Tactical
1030 - Stand to Arms - Drill & Maneuvers (ECWSA)
1130 - Formal Drill Competition
1300 - Mid-day Meal.
1415 - Stand to Arms - Form-up for Closing Awards Ceremony.
1430 - March to Statehouse; Introduction of Units; Trooping of Colors; Inspection of Units; Presentation of Awards; Pass & review
1530 - Final Trooping/Lodging Colors (ECWSA); Wrap-up session (Officers/NCO Meeting)
1630 - Break camp until next year.

Directions

Always consult local highway maps to verify directions below.

From North (PA/NJ) & Baltimore Areas: Take I-95 South into Maryland and proceed around Baltimore (via Fort McHenry Tunnel). Continue on I-95 South and exit onto I-695 East (towards Glen Burnie). Continue on I-695 East for about 6 exits, and exit onto I-97 South. Follow I-97 South all the way until it ends at Rte. 50/301, and take the exit for Rte. 50/301 East (towards Annapolis). Then take the exit for Rte. 2 South (this should be the next exit). Follow Rte. 2 South (which eventually turns into Rte. 2/4 South), and go across the Solomons Island Bridge into St. Mary's County (where it again turns into Rte. 4 South!). Continue on Rte. 4 South until you reach Rte. 235, and turn left (South) onto Rte. 235 South towards Lexington Park/St. Mary's City. Continue on Rte. 235 South to Mattapenny Rd. (where there is a Gas Station). Turn right onto Mattapenny Rd.; stay on this until you reach Rte. 5. Turn right onto Rte. 5 and go about 1/2 mile. St. Maries Citty will be on your left; proceed to State House (see 'Upon Arrival' below).

From Columbia, MD Area: Take Rte. 100 East to I-97 South. Follow I-97 South all the way until it ends at Rte. 50/301, and take the exit for Rte. 50/301 East (towards Annapolis). Then take the exit for Rte. 2 South (this should be the next exit). Follow Rte. 2 South (which eventually turns into Rte. 2/4 South), and go across the Solomons Island Bridge into St. Mary's County (where it again turns into Rte. 4 South!). Continue on Rte. 4 South until you reach Rte. 235, and turn left (South) towards Lexington Park/St. Mary's City. Continue on Rte. 235 South to Mattapenny Rd. (there is a Gas Station on the corner); turn right onto Mattapenny Rd. Stay on this until you reach Rte. 5. Turn right onto Rte. 5 and proceed about 1/2 mile. St. Maries Citty will be on your left; proceed to State House (see 'Upon Arrival' below).

From Mid-Maryland/DC & Northwest Areas: Take I-95 South to Rte. 5 South (Waldorf) exit (which is in the Southeast quadrant) on the Capital Beltway. After approx. 9 miles Rte. 5 joins Rte. 301 South to Waldorf, where once in Waldorf you turn left to continue onto Rte. 5 South. Then follow Rte. 5 South for approx. 45 miles to St. Mary's City (follow directions 'At St. Marys' below).

From South (Southern Virginia): Take I-95 North to the Rte. 207 exit to Bowling Green Virginia, where you it will eventually turn into Rte. 301 North (and goes over the Governor Nice Memorial Bridge into Maryland). Then proceed to Rte. 5 (next follow directions 'From Mid-Maryland/DC' above).

At St. Marys: As you come to the river on the right side, and a lagoon to the left, there is a road straight ahead as Rte. 5 bears left past St. Mary's College. Take this right hand road, which leads to the State House (next follow directions for 'Upon Arrival' below).

Check-In: At the St. Mary's Adjutant's marquee (HQ Tent), then proceed to the ECWSA camp area, which is behind HQ Tent and State House, and amongst the trees near the bluff over the river.