Monmouth Battle Special Event, 2016 (Model Company)

The idea and framework for the proposed Monmouth event began at the 2013 edition of the annual battle reenactment. Just for that occasion we formed Capt. Phillips’ company, 2d New Jersey Regiment with Alan Kraus as our officer. Saturday evening Alan asked if I would be willing to do an impromptu battlefield tour. I’d never led one before, but agreed. As we set out towards and down Combs Hill, we began with most or all of our weekend company, and picked up other people as we went. Mark Texel and Jason Wickersty were also with our group and they filled in when I came up short on various details. I wasn’t surprised to learn as we went towards Perrine Ridge via the Parsonage site (along the way discussing the march from Englishtown and pointing out the water tower at Freehold to give an idea of how far Lee’s troops advanced), that most of the group had not walked on the actual battlefield or had seen the terrain before. Many were quite amazed with how well it was preserved and what was still there. The tour went very well considering it was on the spur of the moment and comments were positive. Some time later, not quite sure when, Alan Kraus and Alec Franzoni (perhaps with others) discussed a special event based around forming a single Continental company (preferably one that was part of Lee’s Advance Force and also participated in the afternoon battle), and doing a march following the events of the battle as they unfolded. Alec later approached me with the idea, I mentioned it Matt White. Then 2014 brought a Valley Forge Model Company event based around a company of the 4th Connecticut, and so it goes. I include that to show on what the proposed 2016 event was based and how the framework was envisioned. Speaking to Matt after he discussed plans with Dave Niescior, this is how I understood (and heartily agreed with) the event would work.

(Dates yet to be settled on)Thursday night and Friday: For those able and willing to participate, an overnight camp and then a march to Englishtown following a route taken by elements of the advance force. Saturday: Entire company is assembled. March from Englishtown, following the march of Lee’s troops, across the battlefield park, and into Freehold, to the point where Lee’s troops first saw the British rearguard and formed their battle line. Then back towards the Perrine Ridge position, with discussion of Oswald’s artillery rearguard actions, stopping at the Point of Woods and then the Hedge Row, back to Perrine Ridge, then to Parsonage site, with someone to talk at each position about what happened at each location (could be members of the Model Company, guides from Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, or park staff). For the remainder of the day would do living history at Parsonage/Hedgerow or Perrine Ridge locations. The wish would be to camp overnight on Perrine Ridge if possible. Sunday: Company would march to Combs Hill to do living history and demonstrations for the public for the day.

Also could allow for artillery participation at one or several sites. Never had any plans for participation by British troops.

John Rees, 18 June 2015