Winter Encampment at Fort No. 4
Feb. 2-3 '01Dear Rangers, One of you who did not make it to the Fort No. 4 Winter Encampment last weekend asked for a summary to share with all who didn't make it, and I've been asked to do just that. The precedent was set last summer by Jonas, so I hope I live up to his previous summaries, with this "Through Pvt. Chauncey's Eyes". First, let me say that we Rangers had a darn good showing for the dead of winter: Major Mike Fitzgerald, Sgt. Paul Steves, John-Eric Nelson, Sean Kavanaugh, Bill Filkins, Craig Villaneuve, and I were there by early evening Friday, and the PA boys rolled in close to midnight. The next morning, Jay Fiedler and Mark Pellatier arrived, bringing the headcount to 14. That was better than many of our summer events! We were all piled into the first room on the right as you come through the north sally port, a large room with a big hearth and two adjoining rooms. The PA boys took up one of those side rooms since the rest of us had already claimed our piece of real estate on the floor of the main room (near the fireplace!). We were joined there by 4 militia, so it was pretty crowded by Friday evening. Four or five Gorham's Rangers arrived Friday evening also, and they filled the second of the adjoining rooms. You can imagine what a mob scene it was when were all there together trying to cook. Friday night we had a light dusting of snow, maybe up to an inch on top of several inches of snow already there. Saturday morning, several of us donned snowshoes for a practice run, to test our skills walking and running in snowshoes prior to the afternoon battle. Yours truly did a fine face-plant while practicing running uphill. Good thing I'm wild about snow.
Also there Saturday was a film crew, four guys from Glens Falls, NY, who were working on a film on Robert Rogers and the Battle on Snowshoes which they had begun at last year's Battle on Snowshoes at Fort Ti. They had some scripted scenes in mind, beginning with Major Bob Rogers enlisting men at a tavern, so they filmed the Major at the table while a few of the militia came by to sign up and make their mark with quill and ink (the film debut of my ink pot!). Next, they wanted a scene of some orders being posted by the door outside and Major Bob's response, so we congregated outside while orders were posted and they filmed the Major striding through the crowd and attempting to read the orders (I hear he forgot his glasses -- but of course it was all fake anyway, so that's OK). They filmed inside our room, outside around the fort, and various people at various tasks, and I'm sure they filmed the Major some more. They also filmed Jay getting axed in the cheekbone. When we came upon Jay in the field, his face was a bloody mess. But like a true Ranger, he rejoined the snowshoe company and headed out for more--a role model for us all! And they filmed the battle.
On the French side, Jon Soule fielded 8 or so regulars plus some milice and a few Dutch regulars. We still outnumbered them, since we took on a straggler or too, including none other than Rob Rowell (Mr. Sue Rowell). We had a clear sunny day to play in, and, with 9 of us Rangers on snowshoes, had a fun little battle. The French presented us with a great ambush and might have won, but the film crew was not happy with the idea of Rogers being ambushed by the French that way. So, everyone regrouped and we played on. I'm not sure who actually did win, but it was fun anyway. Meanwhile, during the battle, Sue Rowell (and, it turns out, the Highlanders and Gina) stayed behind to man the fort. Sue stewed up a lovely stew and a fabulous apple pie in her dutch oven. I acquired a cold from the hugs and kisses of Master Flint Rowell. Miss Ally Rowell acquired the admiration of a few men in the fort, until they learned she was still a very young thing!! We are grateful to her for her help with the cooking. And YES, it was cold -- we estimate it was close to zero at the coldest, Sunday morning before dawn, but I have heard since that it got to 6 below that night. The water in the jugs by our beds iced up a bit during that night. Both nights, someone got up regularly to keep the fire burning, for which I think them heartily. So we had a warm room with a big fire, plenty of shrub, warm bodies, and good food, some dominos and grog, and good company. And then of course being out in a battle warmed us up, as did cooking by the fire. I can't say I slept well. I was basically warm enough with my blankets but it was generally accepted, by those of us who were awake often, that the room sounded like a saw mill from all the snoring. I drew the short straw, as my piece of real estate was between two of the worst of the noise-makers. I won't name names, they know who they are! The saws were working overtime in the side rooms as well. Sunday morning, people got up late-ish and left for home at various times during the day -- the French were not interested in fighting us as they were having a meeting and so were fighting themselves instead.
I've attached a picture someone took of us getting ready to go (front line was the snowshoe company). He had problems with the film and I've turned it into mostly B&W to get rid of some of the color problem -- hope everyone can see it. Looking forward to seeing you soon!!
YH&OS,
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