Reliving the moment

By Amanda McGregor
Staff writer

July 13, 2008 11:13 pm

—

MARBLEHEAD — The sweet, smoky smell of wood fire, the sound of the blacksmith hammering rods of iron for tent stakes, and fife and drum music combined to set the scene at Fort Sewall yesterday.

The weekend marked the annual encampment of Glover's Marblehead Regiment, a group of re-enactors who transport themselves back to the Revolutionary War — and visitors flocked to Fort Sewall to experience a slice of Colonial life.

The real Glover's Regiment — the 14th Continental — was led by Col. John Glover, a Salem native who eventually became a brigadier general in the Continental Army.

The regiment was reborn in preparation for the nation's Bicentennial in 1976, and has remained active ever since. Members participate in re-enactments of battles all over the East Coast and camp out every year in Fort Sewall. They dress in authentic clothes, learn to fire real muskets, cook traditional Colonial food, and sleep in white canvas tents on beds of straw.

The Salem News stopped by yesterday to ask some re-enactors about their experiences:

Q&A

Fred Bauer, Marblehead

Role: Dr. Nathaniel Bond, the regiment's surgeon

Joined?

r "In 1974, since the beginning. I moved to Marblehead in 1973 and I was, if you will, reborn and became a Marbleheader so thoroughly."

Why re-enact?

r "History is about people and what they did and the decisions they made. It's not just remembering dates and places."

Why have you done the encampment more than three decades?

r "I enjoy the kids about as much as anything. When they see us, we're real people to them. It's an opportunity to educate the public."

Do you ever feel as if you're truly in 1775, not the 21st century?

r "On guard duty about 15 years ago, during the last watch from 4 to 6 a.m.," marching along the periphery of the fort with his musket, "I got up into this thick fog swirling around. The canvas tents were flapping in the breeze. The feeling was literally being in the 18th century for a few hours."

Funny memory?

r "I do fondly remember one morning, feeling a strange sensation on my feet at the end of the tent, and one of the neighbor's cats was licking my toes."

Sigrid Orne, Marblehead

Role: Mistress Orne, cooking for the regiment

Why did you join?

r "My husband (Steve Orne's) family was actually original members of the regiment. The Ornes are one of the oldest families in town. It's very exciting."

What is your role like?

r "I'm one of six women cooking. Feeding an army definitely takes an army of women."

How many mouths are you feeding?

r "Anywhere from 70 to 120 people per meal, all weekend long."

What do you cook?

r "Everything we prepare is authentic. Last night we had roast beef, corn, fruits and dried vegetables. Even the marinade on the beef was made from an authentic 18th-century recipe. Breakfast is eggs and sausage. We're having ham for lunch today."

How is it prepared?

r "It's all cooked on a spit or in cast iron, all on open fire."

Different terms?

r "Lunch isn't called lunch — it's 'nooning.'"

Why re-enact?

r "My daughters are 11 1/2 and 9, and I've been pregnant and raised them both through this, and they think it's what normal people do. It really is a family atmosphere, and the people are amazing, fun and dedicated to history and the time period."

Where do you get the clothing?

r "I've made most of the clothing my family is wearing."

Lindsey Orne, 11, Marblehead

Role: Azor Orne, son of Sgt. Orne (Lindsey plays a boy)

Joined?

r "Since I was actually in my mom's womb. I've been coming here since I was born."

Why re-enact?

r "The isolation of normal reality and whatnot."

What's it like?

r "It's a lot of fun, that's what it's about."'

Favorite part?

r "Just being here with my friends — and the food is really good."

Least favorite?

r "The only thing I don't like is the lack of showers."

Does it help you learn history?

r "I guess I'm more fluent when it comes to the Revolutionary War in school."

Carl Close, Concord

Role: the blacksmith

Joined?

r "I've been a member of the regiment for three years."

Why?

r "They needed a blacksmith, and I've always been interested in history and re-enacting so it was just a perfect fit."

How did you learn blacksmithing?

r "From my father (also Carl Close). He is a blacksmith in Middleton. And I'm a blacksmith in Concord."

Is your work with the regiment different from your modern day methods?

r "The tools haven't changed very much. The only thing that's really changed is the heating methods. Nowadays we have propane."

Why re-enact?

r "It's nice for people to get to see raw materials turned into useful things — to see how important the blacksmith was to everyone's trade, like the fishermen who needed metal fish hooks and fish knives."

Favorite part?

r "The interaction with the tourists and the people who come to see us. Often people don't get to see you working with your hands."

Reflection on three years in the regiment?

r "You never stop learning about history, especially naval history and the history of how the encampments here were back at that time. It's always a learning process."

Do you bring your family?

r "I have my family here. They love it. There are lots of children to play with. It's like a big family cookout except everybody dresses funny."

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.