military through the ages

'Military Through the Ages' at Jamestown Settlement

March 16 & 17, 2013

Hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from the first century A.D. to modern times came together on March 16 and 17 for Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored “Military Through the Ages” event.

This chronological display of military history, held each year since 1984 at Jamestown Settlement history museum, featured 35 groups based in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

Roman Legion to the Virginia Army National Guard

Re-enactors portrayed soldiers and military encounters from Roman times, the medieval period, Hundred Years’ War, War of the Roses, French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, and American Civil War. Re-enactors depicting World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War took visitors through the 20th century. The National Museum of the Marine Corps, Wounded Warriors Project and the Virginia Army National Guard represented the present.

Visitors learned about the Roman unit “Legio IX Hispania,” encountered “The Fenvald Vikings,” and visited medieval campsites of Charlemagne’s Army “Scara Karoli,” “La Belle Compagnie,” “Lord Grey’s Retinue,” and 1500s German mercenaries “The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment.”

The American Civil War was depicted by two Union units – the “3rd U.S. Regular Infantry” and maritime group “U.S.S. Aroostook” – and two Confederate units – “23rd Virginia Infantry” and “Norfolk Light Artillery Blues.” Ground troops demonstrated military drills, uniforms and period cooking. The “3rd U.S. Regular Infantry” invited visitors to take part in hands-on company and bayonet drills, as well as presented interpretation of Civil War medical treatment and civilian life at home.

Visitors explored facets of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War from the “24th Regiment of Foot,” and saw the Victorian opulence of scarlet-clad British “Coldstream Guards” officers during the 1882 Egyptian campaign. The “West Cork Flying Column” and “Crown Forces in Ireland” depicted aspects of ambush and explosives training during the 1919-21 Anglo-Irish War.

Aspects of a soldier’s life during World War I was depicted by the “American Expeditionary Forces,” “8 Kompangnie, Infantry Regiment 459,” and “Guard’s Division, British Expeditionary Forces.” World War II was shown by “1st British Airbourne” paratroopers, British “Women’s Land Army,” and a British infantry battalion training exercise prior to D-Day.

Among the weekend highlights, artillery demonstrations included with the firing of a 17th-century swivel gun and falcon, an early 18th-century naval deck gun by the “Crewe of the Archangel,” a Revolutionary War six-pound brass battalion gun, and a Civil War 12-pound field howitzer by the “Norfolk Light Artillery Blues.” The Virginia Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, was recognized for its support for more than two decades.

Military Re-enactor Awards

2013 RE-ENACTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Coldstream Guards, Egyptian Campaign, 1882

2013 VISITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
3rd U.S. Regular Infantry, 1863

BEST UNIT DEMONSTRATION
First Place – 51st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1945
Second Place – West Cork Flying Column & Crown Forces in Ireland, 1919-21
Third Place – 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, 1914-18
Honorable Mention – 3 rd U.S. Regular Infantry, 1863

BEST CAMP– Early Period Pre-1879
First Place – La Belle Compagnie, 1413
Second Place – 23rd Virginia Infantry, Company G, Fredericks Hall Grays, 1863
Third Place – Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, 1861-65
Honorable Mention – Lord Grey’s Retinue, 1471

BEST CAMP – Modern Period
First Place – 8 Kompagnie, IR459 & The Guards’ Division, 1917
Second Place – Recon Team Colorado, 1970
Third Place – Women’s Land Army, 1939-45
Honorable Mention – Volkssturm, Berlin, 1945

BEST CAMP COOKING – Early Period Pre-1879
First Place – La Belle Compagnie, 1413
Second Place – The Devil’s Nightmare Regiment, 1529
Third Place – The York Privateers, 1702-13
Honorable Mention – Scara Karoli, Charlemagne’s Army, 804 A.D.

BEST CAMP COOKING – Modern Period
First Place –1st British Airbourne Division, 1944
Second Place – West Cork Flying Column & Crown Forces in Ireland, 1919-21
Third Place – Company F, 318th Infantry, 80th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, 1918
Honorable Mention – North Staffordshire Regiment, 1944

BEST UNIFORM/CLOTHING IMPRESSION – Early Period Pre-1879
First Place – La Belle Compagnie, 1413
Second Place – Crewe of the Archangel, 1680-1730
Third Place – 23rd Virginia Infantry, Company G – Fredericks Hall Grays, 1863
Honorable Mention – The Fenvald Vikings, 1000 A.D.

BEST UNIFORM/CLOTHING IMPRESSION – Modern Period
First Place – North Staffordshire Regiment, 1944
Second Place – 1st British Airbourne Division, 1944
Third Place – Recon Team Colorado, 1970

MAP & DIRECTIONS to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Sign up to get the latest deals, news & event info

MAP & DIRECTIONS to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Sign up to get the latest deals, news & event info

Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.