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Well, at the request of the State's hardworking folks in charge of public events (they never learn, eh ?) Steve R. and I went down to the Capitol Building on July 4th.
We set-up a representation of Eutaw Springs (South Carolina) since it was (a) the last battle in the South of the AWI except for Yorktown and (b) kept about 2,500 British from reinforcing Cornwallis and (c) convinced the British to abandon South Carolina. It is interesting how many folks don't really know much about the AWI in the South, especially the interplay between the coastal folks (largely of English descent) and the highlands/mountain folks (largely of Scots descent).
Steve's terrain (beautiful) and Chris's figures (same) were very poorly complemented by my mouth (as narrator/answerer of questions, etc.), the terrain and figures drawing lots of compliments. We even passed out some Sash and Saber business cards to a few folks who proclaimed an interest in HM, although not so much perhaps in HM games. Many of those who stopped by were convinced, initially, that the battle depicted was of the ACW. Good thing we took along a lot of handouts explaining about Eutaw Springs and its significance.
We did have some folks who had actually visited the battlefield, near Orangeburg, SC, and now, alas, much under water, since Orangeburg needed a reservoir some years ago, to which end Eutaw Creek was dammed and a nice, albeit small, lake created. The battlefield today is kept in some repair, but there isn't much to see, mostly the monument atop British Maj. Marjoriford's grave (actually, his second, since he was disinterred and reinterred to ground not slated to be underwater) and a view of where the Burndell Plantation house (British HQ at the battle) was.
We were also right across from the Sons of the American Revolution, who had a table covered with pamphlets, a gentleman in the uniform of a Continental officer (somewhat spoiled, I felt, by the tennis shoes...), and several nattily dressed men in blue blazers, yellow and blue striped ties, and khaki slacks. Perhaps when we do these outreach events, we should adopt some sort of uniform clothing.....naaaaaahhh....
Some of our folks (Pam/Chris, Dave) showed up at the event and commented on the display (Steve's effort, again !). We had some folks who'd been to Spring Fever and asked about Southern Front (and took pre-reg forms !!!), so looking for a good turn-out for Front this year. All of our 'about TSS' handouts were given out, as were all of the Eutaw Springs info sheets which had been prepared, so a good day, all in all, especially since we were inside where it was COOL !
If you've never been to a Memorial Day or July 4th observance at the Capitol, you might want to come and check it out one of these days. There are some very serious WWII reenactor types (they had a ground-mount 20mm AA, a LOT of auto-weapons including an M2HB and a Maxim gun, and a Dodge 3/4 ton weapons carrier, WWII vintage !) as well as other reenactors who attend (Steve and I spent time talking to a gentleman uniformed as a private soldier of the Continental Line) and other groups who provide various displays of period weaponry.
See ya'll next time !!
Ed
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