[ J u n e , 15 ] The [ I s s u e 15–3 ]

S COURANT YORKER N·Y News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers

Contents 1  Dispatc hes from the Colonel 3 40th Anniversary in Pictures 9 Milit ary Career of John Ross 14 In Memoriam - Norm Agnew 2 Re bels & Redcoats 8 P eter Johnson Sets Down His 12 Y orker Colours on Parade 14 Links & Letters 3 40th Anniversary Event at Cartooning Quill 13 Impr oving the Performance of Black Creek 8 Lo yalist Notes Your Musket Lock

for many years, and this year he printed a special collection of cartoons from Coming Events the past to present to Peter Johnson on Dispatches from Peter’s retirement from “Cartooning”. june 6-7 , NY the • Major David Moore for his role as the – Rebels & Redcoats supreme auctioneer. The major has a fine june 20-21 sense of humour and is a very talented Black Creek Colonel public speaker and master of ceremonies, Yorker 40th Anniversary (Canadian ALL-UP) among other skills. july 11-12 A very special thank you has to go to the Johnson Hall Market Days, Johnstown, NY  following members who contributed their july 11-12 time and special skills in making items for Hubbardton, VT the auction. august 29-30 Battle of Newtown, • A very special thanks has to go to Nathan Elmira, NY 2015 Annual Dinner Das for his exquisitely crafted donations august 29-30 for the auction. Nathan is a highly tal- School of the Loyalist, NJ sept 12-13 would like to thank the following ented horologist and cabinetmaker, and Fort Ticonderoga, NY I people for their contributions in assist- his hard work and talent earned the regi- 2nd Battalion sept 19 ing me with the setup for the successful ment many hundreds of dollars. Thornhill Parade Yorker Dinner at Sir John’s Public House in • Kady Gibson for contributing her time oct 3-4 Kingston. and skill as a seamstress in making a cus- Schoharie, NY – Stone Fort Days (US ALL-UP) • Captain Alex Lawrence for setting up tom made linen shirt. and printing the regimental calendar. • Mardi MacFarlane also for her contribu- This is a task that Alex has performed tion of a pair of custom made shoes. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 2

Also a very special thanks to Lieutenant Scott Turrall and Deb Turrall for present- ing a new regimental colour to the Yorkers. They purchased the materials and hard- ware, Deb sewed the colours and Scott painted the regimental device by hand. In addition Scott was tasked at the very last moment to assist me with collecting the fees for the dinner.

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Fort Niagara, June 6-7

fter years of reenacting, peo- Master Tailor, Henry Cooke, and historian, A ple develop preconceived ideas about Bruce Egli. These should be interesting what an event will be like based on their presentations for soldiers and followers past experiences at the site. In this case you alike. should set aside those preconceived notions. Of course we will enjoy the usual warm This will not be your “typical” Fort Niagara hospitality from Fort Niagara. They will I would also like to praise those who pur- experience. provide coffee & pastries for breakfast on chased items at the auction. Your generosity On June 6 & 7 the Rebels & Recoats both Saturday and Sunday, and a hot period in bidding for the auctioned items will help event will take place within the walls of meal at Saturday lunch. the regiment achieve its goal of re-facing the Old Fort. This is a British Brigade On Saturday evening our own Sjt Robert the regimental coats in the most expedi- sponsored event, and is included on the Stewart will be setting up his Tavern for tious time. Northwest Department’s schedule for 2015. business. You are reminded that you should The funds raised this year totaled The involvement of the British Brigade and bring your own seating and mug, glass or $1355.00. the promotional work of Captain Daniel cup to the Tavern. As an added feature, the Colonel James O’Connell of the 8th Regiment (King’s) has Tavern will host a Whist Tournament for generated a much larger response than has the patron’s entertainment. been seen for a Rev War event at this site for Fort Niagara is one of the most his- some time. toric sites in North America, with a very Since the parade grounds of Fort Niagara strong Provincial connection during the are fairly limited for battle demonstrations Revolutionary War period. It is a wonderful and tacticals, arrangements have been made place to visit, if for no other reason than it to use various trails and park land in the area just oozes with history. This will be one of for this purpose. It promises to be very ter- the better events this season and will be well rain for some great scenarios. worth attending. As an added bonus, several speakers have Sjt Mjr Dave Putnam been scheduled for the weekend, including [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 3

40th Anniversary Event at Black Creek June 20 & 21

une of this year marks the 40th own drinking cups, glasses or mugs because with the Loyalist column being ambushed J Anniversary of the founding of the re-cre- the Tavern has a limited supply. by the rebels. ated King’s Royal Regiment of New York, or This year the Crown Forces may have This year as part of the interpretive side Yorkers as we are more commonly referred to. members of Butlers Ranger (Frey’s Company) of the event we have been granted permis- We will celebrate this special occa- from the U.S. bolstering our numbers in the sion to build a camp oven. Serjeant Forrest sion with a Grand and “Best Ever” Yorker fight against the baying mob, lead by the has volunteered many of his company to toil Tavern, organized by Serjeant Robert nefarious and nebulous Chase Paterson. Our with the pick & shovel. Stewart and Kady Gibson. This Tavern is spies have intercepted news that the dark side Colonel James open to all re-enactors. Robert and Kady has reinforcements from two other rebel regi- deserve a special thank you for their hard ments this campaign season. work in bringing this special tavern to the In addition to the morning war games, event. Tavern participants will be enter- that were so successful at last year’s event, tained by the group, Gin Lane, featuring we will have an official parade on the Gavin Watt. No, not the elder. The much Saturday to mark the 40th Anniversary of younger Gavin will entertain us with some the Royal Yorkers. All three colours will be terrific music in the tavern. Please note that paraded to mark the occasion. those patronizing the Tavern are encour- The scripted battle for the public will be aged to bring their own seating and their a repeat of last year’s well received scenario, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 40th Anniversary in Pictures

his year, as the King’s Royal Regiment of New York celebrates its 40th Anniversary as a recreated unit, the Courant will feature T pictures and remembrances from its 40 years of service. In this issue Gavin Watt, the founder of the regiment, has provided the following photographs from the units earliest days.

Left 04 oct 75 The original five Royal Yorkers at the regiment’s first public appearance.

Right 11 apr 76. Queen’s York Rangers’ Change of Command Ceremony, Royal Yorkers as a Period Guard. Sjt Gavin Watt and Pte Wayne Heideman. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 4

07 feb 76. Toronto Garrison Ball, Royal York Hotel, Royal Yorkers as a guest Guard at the invitation of the Queen’s York Rangers, an extension of a very warm, long lasting relationship.

19 jun 76 200th Anniversary of the Founding of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, Morning Grand Parade, Upper Canada Village.

19 jun 76 200th Anniversary of the Founding of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, Our sister regiment, the Royal Highland Emigrants in an early appearance on the Grand Parade. Present day Serjeant Bram Blenk in evidence, second from left.

19 jun 76 200th Anniversary of the Founding of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, Our honorary major, His Honour, Colonel John R. Matheson, a descendant of Royal Yorker Pte Peter Ferguson, Major’s Coy, 1Bn and Captain Jack Rogers, a descendant of Major-commandant James Rogers, 2nd Battalion, King’s Rangers. These two men were tremendous boosters of loyalist history and Revolutionary War reenactment. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 5

24 jul 76 The 3rd Tryon County Militia at Johnson Hall on the occasion of the KRR’s first Brigade of the event.

05 sep 76 The taproom of Montgomery’s Inn, Islington. l to r. Cpl Ed Anderson sporting his new gaitered trousers; Finn Nielsen; Gary Dare; Bill Severin standing; Gavin Watt sitting; Bob Taylor.

02 oct 76 BAR event, Crown Point, ny This is the first interpretation of Butler’s Rangers from Sayre, PA. These fellows were either the first or second loyalist unit in the BAR. When we made application to join, there were five of us wanting to recreate the Royal Yorkers and five wanting to recreate Butler’s Rangers. The BAR advised that we were free to interpret the KRR, but to do an interpretation of Butler’s, we would have to follow the instructions of the fellows in this picture, fall in with them on parade, and take their orders. It’s interesting to compare the simplicity of their interpretation with the sensible sophistication of Scott Patterson’s McDonell’s Company; quite similar to the naïve simplicity of the KRR’s original interpretation. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 6

18 dec 76 Washington Crossing State Park – where Washington crossed the Delaware and captured Trenton, NJ from the Hessians. This bleak photo shows Jessup’s King’s Loyal Americans as a piquet and the Royal Yorkers passing through after burning a notorious rebel’s farm. The planners of this event expected the British/ Loyalists to be absolutely trounced, but the RHE, KRR and KLA broke through their screen and cut off their main force before it could even get to the embarkation point. Definitely not cricket, old boy. This is the first event where capotes were worn.

24 may 77 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Fort York Festival. Royal Yorkers parade a good, solid section at what was an important annual festival.

04 jun 77 Upper Canada Village – we’ve had a few member with Native blood, but Sandy Baird was our first. He took that Cayuga name Jo Wans when working at Fort George and he appeared as such at the 200th Anniversary of the ; however, for some reason he abandoned Native dress later and went into the ranks of our Light Company. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 7

10 sep 77 200th Anniversary, Battle of Brandywine Honorary Colonel David McDonald Stewart delivers an historical overview of the battle to the Queen’s York Rangers’ rankers; the KRR detachment; the QYRang reenactment group (which included Phil Rock), armed and uniformed at Col Stewart’s expense, and the officers of the regiment. Col Stewart funded the bus ride for the KRR to the event and the QYR arranged our accommodation and feeding with the Delaware National Guard, whose members were spectacularly hospitable.

10 sep 77 200th Anniversary, Battle of Brandywine The U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment parades in modern uniform and an interpretation of the Continental Line. Every man in the latter was ‘exactly’ six feet tall and a perfect athletic specimen. Their sparkling clean polyester uniforms were a light year less correct than the KRR’s presentation. Of course, during the battle, they didn’t take a single casualty, but – oh – they were pretty. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 8

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Loyalist Notes vvvvvv vvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

P eter J ohnson The following quotes give some indica- Loyalist children should be taken hostage. Sets Down His tion of the circumstances that the Loyalist Really?... Cartooning Quill soldiers and refugees faced during the “As the American Revolution progressed, Revolution. – Colonel James many members of the patriot faction ’m not sure how many members believed those loyal to the Crown were I recognize the degree of dedication, effort According to the rebel leader, Philip Schuyler, internal foes who needed to be carefully and imagination that has been involved in Loyalist troops were “malignants”… contained. In an effort to limit loyalist mili- thirty-five years of producing cartoons for “I returned last Night from Tryon tary and political influence, Early in March the Yorker calendar. Take it from me – that County into which I marched a Body of 1776, New York’s Committee of Safety is an immense, incredible amount of love of Militia, to disarm the Malignants perceived loyalist opposition to be so strong and effort. [Loyalists], which I have Effected. Six of in certain counties, that they “advised that, in I’ve often provided Peter with themes for the Chiefs of about two hundred and fifty addition to disarming them [the Loyalists], his vicious pen to pursue, but the scurrilous or three hundred Scotch Highlanders are their children should be taken as hostages.” products that emerged were his, and his only to go Prisoners to Pennsylvania, as are six (New York Historical Society Collections, (I am of course, protecting myself.) Peter is Others of the English & Dutch Inhabitants Lee Papers Volume 5, (New York: Printed such a quiet, unassuming fellow, you’d never of that Coun[ty]. We have taken four six & for the Society, 1868-1924), vol. 1, think for a moment that he could produce four Pounders, together with a Number of 213-215.). the imaginative, and frequently insightful, Swivels & Blunderbusses. I hope all is well vignettes of the Yorker existence. Mind you, with Your Excellency. Be pleased to present At least they were cared for once they got to with subjects like Wannamaker, it wasn’t my Compliments to Your Family. Canada… difficult. But to make pillars of virtue like I am Sir With sincere Respect & Esteem In May 1784 Governor Frederick Cox and Mills into comic figures has taken Your Excellencys most Obedient & Very Haldimand ordered Loyalist refugees to a great deal of effort. Humble Servant move from their camps scattered around Sometimes, I’ve struggled to identify his Philip Schuyler” Quebec to Sorel, to be mustered and subjects of affection and scorn, but more provisioned for their voyage to the new often than not, I have been able to recog- Many Loyalists showed complete contempt settlements in and around Upper Canada. nize exactly whom he is lampooning and for the rebel oppression… At Sorel each man and boy over ten was got a good chuckle out of it. Yet, he has so “Do as you please: If you like it bet- issued a coat, waistcoat, breeches, hat, shirt, often (for instance this year’s final issue) ter, choose your Committee, or suffer blanket, shoes and shoe soles, leggings, and portrayed me as a dead, strangled, utterly it to be Chosen by half a dozen Fools in stockings. Women and girls over ten got ugly, half-rotted monkey, I could gladly your neighborhood – open your doors to two yards of woolen cloth, four yards of push him headfirst into a privy. However, them let them examine your tea canisters, linen, one pair of stockings, a blanket and that’s just me – over sensitive to the core. and molasses-jugs, and your wives and shoe soles. There was one blanket for every Peter has so often captured noteworthy daughters pettycoats – bow and cringe two children, and five people were to share a moments of great hilarity in the life of the and tremble and quake – fall down and tent and cooking kettle. ( Capt. John Barnes regiment, even my desire to strangle him worship our sovereign Lord the Mob . . to Haldimand, 24th. Sept. 1784. yards of has been reduced to quiet admiration. . and shall my house be entered into and woolen cloth, four yards of linen, one pair So folks, raise a glass to Peter W. my mode of living enquired into, by a of stockings, a blanket, and shoe soles, while Johnson and wish him a bed of nails to rest domineering Committee-man? Before I small children qualified for one yard of his soul upon. submit I will die. Live you and be slaves.” woolen cloth, two yards of linen, stockings, (Samuel Seabury, Free Thoughts on the and shoe soles. There was one blanket for McGeachie Proceedings of the , every two children and five people were to Ex-Colonel, 1Bn KRR NY, 1774) share a tent and one cooking kettle. (Capt. Ex-Brigadier, Northern Brigade, John Barnes to Haldimand, 24 September Current drunk, Singleton’s Company 1784) [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 9

Mili tARY Career of John Ross

orn in Scotland in 1744, John Ross was ordered in December 1764 to ascend Mississippi from the Gulf of Mexico to B entered the army as a lieutenant in the the Mississippi to advise the fort’s comman- Fort de Chartres, which he fulfilled in grand 34th Regiment of Foot on July 31, 1762. He dant, Louis Groston de Saint-Ange et de style capturing details of the lands to the was at the taking of Havana, Cuba from the Bellerive, that the territory had been ceded to immediate east of the Mississippi including Spaniards later that year and thereafter went Britain, and that a British expedition would with his regiment to garrison . soon arrive to accept his surrender. There is a great deal of conflicting infor- Although there is nothing to suggest that mation about his next assignment. One Ross was well versed in Native diplomacy, source claims that a detachment drawn from he was instructed to meet with the local the 22nd and 34th Regiments was sent up the tribes to determine their attitudes to this Mississippi to accept the surrender of Fort de news. Ross and an Indian trader named Chartres (near Prairie de Rocher, IL) the last Hugh Crawford, perhaps acting as an French holdout in North America. Only the interpreter, arrived at the fort on February year before, Pontiac’s Uprising had engulfed 18, 1765. At an Indian council on April 4, Britain’s western frontier posts north of Fort Ross confirmed the Natives’ strong hostility de Chartres, so it is not surprising that the to a British takeover. The official surrender force beat a retreat after it was attacked by of Fort de Chartres occurred in October formerly French-allied Indians, who were when Captain Thomas Stirling arrived unimpressed by European peace treaties, or with one hundred Highlanders of the 42nd by British power. Regiment. In consequence, the British decided to As an important secondary mission, mount an overland expedition from Fort Pitt Ross, who had trained as a field surveyor, to accept de Chartres’ surrender, and Ross was instructed to prepare a map of the [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 10

County rebels. Governor Carleton believed that Regular officers should command all detachments that included Natives, and Ross was appointed to command the effort. Although Carleton’s distaste for Indian raids was pronounced, the avowed purpose of recovering Mohawk families would have met with his approval. About one hundred Tryon County loy- alists, principally Royal Yorkers, formed the European element. Jeptha Simms named a few – the Bowen brothers of the Royal Yorkers who had been with Ensign Crawford on a raid earlier in the year; a fel- low named Loucks, of whom there were several in the regiment, and men named Lintz and Sweeny, who do not appear on regimental rolls at this time. Yet, beyond doubt, the primary individu- als motivating and directing the raid were the two Fort Hunter war captains, John Deserontyon and Isaac Hill Onoghsokete. The force assembled at Akwesasne, where the two war captains succeeded in recruit- ing a number of warriors, bringing the Native contingent up to about one hundred warriors. As Deserontyon and Hill had guided Sir John and his followers through the Adirondacks in May 1776, they must have guided the raiders along similar paths southwards. The expedition was successful. The miss- ing Fort Hunters were retrieved; several loyalist families were reunited; six recruits were gained for the Royal Yorkers, and seventeen rebels were taken prisoner. Only numerous tributary rivers, locations of at Cork on April 9, 1776 with a large con- a handful of rebels were killed and two various Native villages, old and abandoned tingent from the Irish Establishment gristmills were destroyed. The local mili- fortifications, trading posts, mineral depos- sent to raise the siege of Quebec City. By tia regiment, the 3rd Tryon, was unable to its, and other resources. Set on the meridian January 1777, Ross had taken command of mount any resistance, as its companies had of New Orleans, this seminal work was the the 34th’s Grenadier Company and went been sent to relieve neighbouring commu- first British mapping of the Mississippi with Burgoyne’s Expedition serving in the nities that were also under attack, and the Valley and of great significance during army’s Advance Guard. During the attack raiders prowled unmolested through many the Revolutionary War and subsequent on the at Hubbardton, settlement areas in and about Sir John’s American western expansion. The map was Vermont, Ross was seriously wounded and estates, such as, Fonda’s Bush, Philadelphia published in London and earned the car- returned to Quebec to convalesce. Bush, Tribes Hill, and Fort Johnson. tographer a considerable measure of fame, Ross returned to duty in 1778, and It is unknown what duties Ross per- and, with later additions, continued in use because his Grenadier Company had sur- formed during the next two years, but it for decades. rendered with Burgoyne at Saratoga, he is clear that the new governor, Frederick Ross’s portrait is believed to have been found himself a supernumerary officer. An Haldimand, was aware of his achievements painted after the 34th Regiment’s return to expedition was being organized to recover and capabilities as he appointed him to Britain. some fifty Fort Hunter men, women and command the newly-formed 2nd battal- By 1771, Ross was the regiment’s cap- children who that had been captured during ion, Royal Yorkers as major-commandant tain-lieutenant, and on March 14, 1772, the retreat from Burgoyne’s army and were on July 21, 1780. When a detachment of he was promoted to captain. He embarked now held under the malevolent eye of Tryon the battalion was sent to Carleton Island [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 11 to experience some ‘real soldiering,’ Ross northern regions of the county were under Ross’s final contribution to British North selected one hundred of the better-trained immediate threat from a second, large America was the occupation of Cataraqui in men for the assignment and coupled them British expedition that had taken post at 1783 and the rebuilding of . with Captain Robert Leake’s well-seasoned Ticonderoga as a diversion. For this task, he again had Regulars of the Independent Company as a stiffener, which Ross quickly realized that he must retreat, 34th and 84th Regiments and the majority was later absorbed into the battalion. but halted long enough near Johnson Hall of his 2nd battalion. In addition to military The next year, the decision was made to gather provisions and rest his weary considerations, Ross had a mill built and a to withdraw the heavily-utilized Royal troops. The rebels caught up with the expe- town surveyed. The first two houses erected Yorkers’ 1st battalion from active service on dition just as its tail was disappearing into were for Mary Brant’s family and her the frontiers and to have its duties assumed the woods and Ross turned to give fight. brother, Joseph. This firm base secured the by the 2nd. In late 1780 and throughout See-saw skirmishing took place during settlement of the disbanded loyalist troops the opening stages of the 1781 campaign, which the New York Levies were driven off, and their families in townships stretching the battalion improved the defences of but a flanking manoeuvre of Tryon militia- along Lake Ontario’s shore from the town- Fort Haldimand and mounted a series of men and Massachusetts Levies struck hard site of Cataraqui to Quinte’s Isle. reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering and put an end to what had become a rout. patrols, and small raids into the Mohawk Ross’s error during this action was not Valley. holding his troops together once the New In September, 1781, Ross was given York Levies collapsed, but his men recov- the opportunity to lead a major strike into ered quickly, which allowed an orderly the Mohawk Valley. There was consider- resumption of the retreat. Despite horribly able doubt expressed amongst the British wet, freezing cold weather, the troops kept leadership about the wisdom of this effort, up an incredible pace; however, they were as the force would have to penetrate very overtaken by fresh rebel troops at a ford in deeply into rebel territory before reaching West Canada Creek who inflicted some any useful targets, but Ross was keen, and casualties, including the killing of John the governor permitted the expedition to Butler’s eldest son Walter. proceed. The major was supported by some Weather conditions were so extreme that 250 Six Nations and affiliated warriors and rebel commanders gleefully predicted the a substantial contingent from Fort Niagara expedition would perish in the woods or, at When Ross returned to the 34th in the form of 150 Butler’s Rangers and the very least, suffer tremendous casualties; Regiment, he was ranked as a major in forty Regulars of the 8th Regiment. From however, Ross’s leadership held again, and the army. It is unknown when he mar- Carleton Island and Oswegatchie, Ross the whole force returned to its bases with- ried, but there is speculation that his bride assembled seventy-five line troops and the out any further loss. was the sister of Captain John McDonell Light Company of the 34th; about thirty On February 18, 1782, in response to (Aberchalder) of Butler’s Rangers. Highlanders of the 84th, and eleven Hanau the Native allies importuning, Governor Although Ross retired on February 17, Jägers. As provincials, he had about one Haldimand ordered Ross to secretly take 1789, he was recalled to duty during the hundred Royal Yorkers with all the battal- post at Oswego as soon as the lake became Napoleonic wars. He had become a very ion’s available combatant officers, and fifty navigable and rebuild the fort there. For this close friend of Stephen Watts (first com- of Leake’s Independent Company. task, Ross took 370 men of his 2nd battalion, mander of the Light Company, 1KRR), The raid was marginally successful. the 34th Regiment, and the 84th Highland and, when in 1808 he was appointed an Perhaps, its greatest accomplishment Emigrants from Carleton Island and two executor of Watts’ will, his rank was shown was its undetected infiltration across the hundred Butler’s Rangers and 8th Regiment as lieutenant-colonel. length the Mohawk Valley from Indian from Niagara. Oswego was successfully At some point, Lieutenant-Colonel Ross Territory to Fort Hunter at the mouth of occupied without detection and the imme- had transferred to the the Schoharie Kill. diate rebuilding of Fort Ontario was begun and he was killed at the Battle of Talavera A minor achievement was the destruc- to the great satisfaction of the Six Nations in July 1809. tion of the sprawling farming community of and the governor. The fort was firmly estab- Gavin K Watt Warrensbush, which had hitherto escaped lished and well on the way to being finished attention; however, as predicted, the rebels’ before the rebel command discovered it, reaction was swift and sizeable with many which thoroughly shocked and distressed companies of New York and Massachusetts them. So much so, that although a formal Levies and Tryon militia mounting a peace treaty had been signed, the rebels well-coordinated pursuit. As well, rein- mounted an unsuccessful, disastrous expe- forcements were dispatched from the dition to capture the fort in the dead of the Albany County militia, even though the winter of 1783. [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 12 yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Serjeant Major’s Rant Y orker C olours on P arade

tck Bla Creek this year the A Royal Yorkers will celebrate 40 years as a recreated regiment. As part of this celebration there will be a special colour ceremony where the King’s Colour and Regimental Colour will be paraded. It is important that we understand the signifi- cance of Colours to the life of a Regiment. In 1747 the British government drafted a regulation requiring each regiment of Foot to carry two colours. One of these was to be the King’s Colour, or the ‘Great Union’. The Second Colour was to be in the regiments facing colour with a small Union Flag in the upper hoist corner. It wasn’t until the regulation of 1844 that the King’s Colour became known as the ‘Royal Colour’. The Second Colour was commonly called the ‘Regimental Colour’. In 1844 these terms received official acceptance. The regulation required that no colonel was “to put his arms, crest, device or liv- ery on any part of the appointments of the Regiment under his command”. Instead, the consecrated “in the usual manner”. Nothing commonplace. Honours were restricted to centre of the colour would display the ‘rank more was said about the service itself, but it regiments that had seen hard service. Lord of the regiment’, that is the regimental num- appears that there was some sort of set pro- Hill stated that he “would not feel justi- ber, surrounded by a Union wreath of roses cedure. In that year a book was published fied in recommending to His Majesty the and thistles on the same stalk. The number entitled Divine Service for Camp or Garrison. assumption of a regimental badge or honou- was shown as a Roman numeral. In 1747 the It included a section called Sketch of the rary distinction for any but arduous service standard size of a colour was 72 inches on Form of Consecration of a Stand of Colours. in the field, in which the troops claiming the staff by 78 inches long. The staff was 118 Consecration of colours was not officially the distinction suffered severely in action.” inches long, including the finial. mentioned in the Queen’s Regulations until Therefore, it was not enough to have been The earliest colours were embroidered, 1867, and no detailed form of service was present at the battle. The battalion must but as the 18th century progressed, painted prescribed until 1899. have served with distinction during the colours became more common. Painting Colours were carried in battle by British action and incurred heavy casualties. No the colours made them lighter to carry and regiments until 1881. In that year it was honours were granted for a defeat, and easier to fly. Unfortunately, the painted stated in the House of Commons, “In con- even some British victories were excluded. colours were less durable, because the paint sequence of the altered formation of attack For instance, the 89th Foot applied for tended to flake off and often damaged and the extended range of fire, Regimental battle honours for the War of 1812, includ- the silk. These concerns brought about a Colours shall not in future be taken with the ing Chrysler’s Farm. The Regiment was return to embroidered colours, with the last battalions on active service. When, how- informed that service in Canada, “however painted colours retired in 1842. ever, a battalion goes abroad in the ordinary meritorious”, was not the type of action for It was the responsibility of the Colonel course of relief, they will accompany the which distinctions were usually granted. of the regiment to provide the colours. battalion, but be left with the depot which In 1834 the 49th Foot attempted to secure This didn’t change until 1857 when the has to be formed on such occasions as the honours for participation at Bunker Hill regulation stipulated that the colours were regiment goes on active service.” and Brandywine. The application was even- to be supplied by the Army Clothing When a battalion was awarded a battle tually declined because the Regiment had Department. honour, it was the practice for the name of not been mentioned in the dispatches of Before colours were put into use it the battle to be attached to the Regimental LtGen Gage, the commander at the time of was normal for them to be formally pre- Colour. The government attempted the action. In fact, no battle honours were sented and consecrated. In 1808 a stand of to maintain the value of such honours awarded to any regiment for service during colours was presented to the 76th Foot and by ensuring that they did not become the American Revolution, probably because [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 13

of the unsatisfactory outcome of the war. Prior to that the replaced colours became … When you view those Colours they can- The life expectancy of a stand of colours the property of the colonel. Some kept the not fail to remind you that you are fighting depended on the service conditions they colours in the family, while others sim- faced. It was normal for a Guards regiment ply disposed of them. When the 25th Foot for their defence, you are fighting for your to replace their colours every seven years. replaced its colours in 1763, they were part- King and Country, for your Religion, Laws, On the other hand, the 51st Foot carried ing with colours that had seen service over a Liberties, your Wives, your Children and the same colours from 1756 until 1782, 20 year period, from Fontenoy to Minden. your Families, for everything that is on Earth even though they were described as “old They were buried with full military hon- dear and valuable to Englishmen. Receive and ragged from service” as early as 1775. ours. In 1856 the same regiment cut the old these Colours from my hands as the most The War Office ecommendedr that a stand colours into pieces and distributed them as Sacred and Precious of all Pledges! You will of colours for a regiment on home service souvenirs amongst its officers. spill your best Blood in their Defence and I should last 20 years, but there are instances Clearly, a regiment’s colours were trea- know it will be engraven on your Hearts that where colours remained in service for as sured and revered by those who served under you must maintain them pure and unsullied long as 100 years. them. So, when the Colours of the KRRNY to the last hour of your breath! The custom of depositing old colours in are paraded, remember the words spoken a parish or garrison church was uncommon by the Prince of Wales when he presented until the third quarter of the 19th century. colours to the Royal Spelthorne Legion. Sjt Mjr Dave Putnam w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w Improving the Performance of Your Musket Lock

While written for competiton shooters, 5. Chec k the spring tensions: the force of will fail to ignite the main charge. Too there are some good points in this list for the main spring should be 3 times more much will make your ignition slow. getting better results for us military types. than the force of the frizzen spring. 11. U se only the finest powder available – Capt Alex Lawrence If the frizzen spring is too strong the for priming. I use OB for target shoot- stone will break often and the frizzen ing and 4Fg for hunting. I use 4Fg for fastck lo – and a good shooter will wear quickly. If you need some hunting because the particles of the A – is essential to shoot straight with a adjustment on the springs, take your OB are so small, that they can pour out flintlock rifle. Now here is a short collection lock to a qualified gunsmith. from the closed frizzen while stalking. about fine tuning your lock to make it as fast 6. Check the frizzen. Frizzens die. Each The finer the powder the faster the as possible. time you fire your flintlock the stone ignition will be. 1. Check the ergonomy of the lock: the cuts off small metal particles from the 12. S harpen your flint from time to time. sparks should fall directly into the cen- surface. These small particles are the That’s one very important task. If the ter of the pan. You can play with the sparks. The frizzen surface is hardened. flint is not sharp it will not be able to length of the flint to adjust this posi- If this surface vanishes, your frizzen will cut metal particles from the frizzen. tion, but it’s better to choose a lock with stop working. Therefore it will not spark. good ergonomy. 7. Clean your frizzen. After each shot 13. Clean your touch hole after each shot. 2. Chec k your flint size: put the hammer wipe off the residue of priming powder. After you fire, put a pin in the touch in halfcock, close the frizzen. The edge You can do it with a spit patch, but it’s hole and remove it only when you are to of the flint should be 1 mm from the better to do it with alcohol. prime the lock for the next shot. steel. Check the width of the flint: it 8. Clean your stone. After each shot wipe 14. Change your flint often. Flints are not should not be bigger than the width of off the residue from the stone as well, eternal. They die as well. If you had the steel. preferably with the same cloth satu- 70-100 good shots from a stone, you are 3. Check the flint placement: wrap your rated with alcohol. fine. Start each competition with a new flint into a piece of leather or lead sheet, 9. P lace the priming powder well in your stone. and tighten the hammer screw. It should pan. Never fill the touch hole with 15. W hen you clean the lock, never put oil be tight in the jaws, without moving. powder. It will make your ignition on the frizzen or on the stone. 4. Bevel up or bevel down? Both can secure, but the lock time will be slow. work. The longer the flint travels on Experiment with how much space you http://blog.davide-pedersoli.com/ the steel the better your ignition will be. need between the touch hole and the making-your-flintlock-ignition-faster-in- If the height is not good, place a piece powder. It is different with every lock. 15-easy-steps/ of leather under or over the stone, to 10. Take care to use the right amount of adjust the height. priming powder. Too small an amount [ J u n e , 15 ] the yorker courant P ag e 14

In Memoriam - Norm Agnew D

Yorker Winter Party, Historic Fort York 09 feb 85 Front: L/Cpl Gerry MacMartin watches Light Bob Brian McHugh perform a stunt. Rear: Norm and Marilyn Agnew are amused, as are Judy and John Moore.

his is a short note to mark the pass- pair of them appeared with plaids, bonnets, One of Norm’s several illustrations for Claus Reuter’s Ting of a well-loved Yorker, Norm broadswords, dirks and sporrans and fol- “History of the Brunswick Light Infantry Battalion Agnew, who died on February 15, 2015 at lowed me around like trained guard dogs. “von Barner” in North America from 1776 to 1783.” 79 years of age. The most comical incident was when they Norm joined the Grenadiers on May 1, posted themselves at the entrance to the 1983 and very quickly became a notewor- public washroom and wouldn’t let anyone thy Royal Yorker. He was a quiet, humorous pass inside while the colonel was perform- guy with tremendous talent as an artist, ing his ablutions. master engraver and mould maker. His wife In October 1987, Norm was promoted Marilyn joined the Refugees and Followers to Corporal of the Grenadiers. However, and added much to the regiment. not too long after, he sadly left the regiment He was a prolific creator of wonderful to join with our previous Serjeant Major, regimental jewelry and art – badges, tie and Claus Reuter, to concentrate on building collar pins, finger rings, decals – and he cre- the Brunswick Light Infantry. Norm was ated several superb pencil illustrations for appointed to the BLI’s Captain D’Armes, my books. a non-commissioned rank unique to the To Norm, his Scottish heritage was of German service with responsibility for major importance, and one of my favou- maintaining a company’s small arms. rite memories of Agnew nonsense was Norm was a strong contributor and his when he conspired with Garry McDonald many talents will be missed in the reenact- (that’s another Scots name in case you don’t ing hobby. know) to create Sir John’s Highland guard. Gavin Watt At a Fort Wellington event in Prescott, the

— Links & Letters —

The

S COURANT Men’s Clothing in the Heat YORKER N·Y Here is an interesting thesis on the subject of heat and the impact that News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers it had on soldier’s dress. – Gavin Watt https://www.academia.edu/12016189/_For_the_heat_is_beyond_your_conception_ editor Mens_Summer_Dress_in_the_American_South_During_the_Long_Eighteenth- Sjt. Mjr. Century Dave Putnam [email protected] H ow Old Were They Nancy Watt found this website about the age of British soldiers in layout America. t t http://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/how-old-were-redcoats-age-and-experience-of- Chri opher Arm rong british-soldiers-in-america/ [email protected]

Disabled Soldiers Here’s an excellent article by Don Hagist. – Gavin Watt http://allthingsliberty.com/2015/03/10-disabled-british-pensioners/