This is inside baseball (way low and inside, actually), but those of you who love a possibly too clever historical farce may be interested in the further adventures of the fictional Private Constant Belcher: sometime batman to Brigade Major Aaron Ogden of the New Jersey Line and something of a cross between Harry Flashman and Blackadder's Baldrick.
Although it bears repeating that he is NOT REAL, and that any historical personages or military units described in his "Journal" are used fictitiously, Constant Belcher has a blog of his own, and also a Facebook page, so like him if you do (and keep cool if you don't) but he appears to be here to stay. Also, as his editor I have thoughtfully provided useful background information of genuine historical interest by way of introduction to his narratives.
Thus far the Belcher papers that have been transcribed by me and my fellow conspirator collaborator Larry Schmidt cover the following episodes during the American Revolution:
- (Jan 22-25th, 1776) The Bluemountain Valley Whaleboat Raid
- (July 24th - August 28th, 1776); in which Belcher dabbles in submersibles
- (Dec 21st 1776 - Jan 5th 1777) when Belcher was a civilian in Morristown and determined to enlist in the 1st NJ (2nd est.);
- (April 1st -21st, 1777) when Belcher is sent to procure uniform coats at Elizabethtown, NJ
- (August 2st and 22nd, 1777) Sullivan's Staten Island Raid;
- (May 10th and 11th, 1778) when Belcher visited Sally Wister;
- (June 23rd - June 28th, 1778) Monmouth Campaign , concerning also the colours of the 1st NJ and Molly Pitcher, and
- (Sept 3rd - 9th, 1780) concerning the Death of General Poor & possibly involving Joseph Plumb Martin .
Rest assured we shall keep you abreast of further developments and what we anticipate will be more amazing discoveries as they are revealed in the Belcher Journal. To any who were taken in my initial Belcher revelations last Autumn, I plead nolo contendere and call upon your better natures to assume good intent. And if you still think giving green apples to a horse will help speed the passage of your watercraft by means of a copious wind, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. Or at the very least, Belcher's submarine.
Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant
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