As some of you may (or may not) know, my job involves me playing a variety of different people from the 18th Century. One such character is Captain Alexander Parker of Col. Thomas Posey's Virginia Regiment. Typically I will portray this American soldier/veteran on Wednesdays and Fridays as part of our End of Day program. The year is 1781, and the American and French forces are amassing for the siege of Yorktown. But before the march to the city of York, Capt. Parker has come to Williamsburg to find any and all brave, able-bodied men, over the age of 16 who would like to exact some revenge on the Redcoats that have wrecked havoc and devastation on their countryside...and with a cry for all those willing to fight to step forward or be left behind this is what happened yesterday, Friday, April 9th:
21 ranks of men, five across stepped forward and volunteered for service in the Continental Line. Considering how quiet this crowd had been all day I honestly did not expect more than three or four men to step forward. While we had few boys step forward they were removed from the ranks before the volunteers were issued their Oath of Enlistment:
At this point in history, a complete company is composed of 100 men. With 105 total men sworn in we exceeded the numbers of a full company by five men, making this the largest number of men I have ever seen recruited here...a full company at 'over-strength'...it was a lot of fun to be a part of and see the patriotism of this quiet crowd come to life in these 105 men.
(Click on images for larger view)
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