Talya and I travelled to Philadelphia last weekend to take part in a Revolutionary War Reenactment at Fort Mifflin, located just north of the airport on what was once called Mud Island. The site was a key position during the Philadelphia campaign in 1777 and endured a massive bombardment that took the lives of nearly 1/3 of its defenders. The original fort was destroyed, but L'Enfant laid out a new one in 1796 that was expanded in the early 19th century and remained in use until the 1950s.
This is an annual event that involves tactical demonstrations and short battles and includes overnight accomodations in bombproof casements that once houses Confederate prisoners. There is no tented encampment and much less for the noncombatant members of the unit to do, but Talya made it work for her by electing to spend the night with our friends in the City, while I got the full after hours experience.
There is usually light attendance from our regiment at Fort Mifflin (it being much more of a 2nd NJ tradition), but still was surprisingly well represented on Saturday. We had five muskets and 3 distaff, along with two children, and one of our number showed up later that night having deserted us for the privateers. We fell out with the 2nd NJ , and took part in their revels that evening. No evidence of the ghosts that are said to infest the place. Perhaps a werewolf in sheep's clothing (please consult image of Capt. Murphy, below for evidence).
These pictures were taken either by me or by Talya Leodari. Good times.
Great pictures. Thanks for posting. :)
Posted by: ElementaryHistoryTeacher | December 05, 2011 at 10:02 PM