They came, they saw, they reenacted. And the Post was there.

There was peril in y^e Pennsylvania Forest on Saturday, y^e 17^th of June ult. Alas, oure British Regulars and their Militia and Indian cohorts were roundly defeated in a skirmish upon Black Beare Trail in y^e Forest of Cook, nigh the river the local Scots Irish do call Stump Creek¹. To make y^e Publick acquainted with the manner of Country oure Boyes do encounter on the Frontier, & to sette y^e scene properlee, y^oure Correspondente for Warre will relate what the Daye was lyke, and what transpired in y^e Weste of Pennsylvania.

Midafternoon it was when y^oure Correspondente did venture into y^e Forest of Cook, along with some friendly local Folke, for to sample the goods of y^e Market. There were many fine skinnes on offer – indeed, y^e Trappers do make a goodly living thereby. Particularly attractive were the badger skinnes, whyche were on offer. Had y^e Post payed better, y^oure Correspondente had bought one for 2legs, who, as is well known, dearly loves the badger in all his moods. Alas, lack of funds limited the Purchaser to a horn spoon, quite beautiful and smooth, with which to eat soup, as well as a pottery jug of sturdy craftsmanship.

My friends & did next come upon y^e Blacksmith, a doughty man and highly skilled in demonstration. Whych hardly surprises, when one reflects that he is a retired teacher of Science from y^e local Schoole. With suche talented People, it is self-evident that y^e Colonies will soon be a going concern – if only y^e pesky French can be controlled.

Y^e Regular troops were a-drilling upon the Greene, near the large water tower, and good it did oure Hearts to see them. Their practice Cannon made a satisfying Roare.

I would fain venture into y^e Foreste to see more, but first, I did consult with a local Indian, of the Melungeon tribe, as he told me. This venerable sage did warne me of impending trouble in y^e Foreste, a fact I soon found confirmed by the announcement over y^e Loude Speaker that, ' y^e Surprize Attacke will take place on schedule at 4 pm.' So we hastened thither.

Y^e Woods thereabout are in very deed dark, foreboding, and thoroughly atmospheric. Here, truly, is the Foreste Primeval, with murmuring pines and hemlocks. Only today, y^e murmuring was drown'd out by y^e Roare of French Cannon and y^e blood-curdling Shrieks of y^e Indians.

Alas! Our poore Soldiers do not always fare well in Penn's Woods. Y^ure Correspondente did pass right by some stout British Regulars as they approached y^e fateful Spot on Black Bear Trail. The Soldiers were joking – to keep their spirits up, I doubt not – and speculating as to how they should comport themselves in the coming Affraye.

'Now listen, ' sayde one, 'I'm going to die in the first volley, so I'll fall down in front of you. Be sure to step over me.'

'Ah,' spake the other. 'I'll pull you out of the line, then.'

The first rolled his eyes. 'George,' he said patiently. 'I weigh more than you do.'

Clearly, the day was not going well for oure Regulars. A shame it was, for it had rained heavily, and y^e Grounde was very muddy.

Indeed, both forces did show themselves bravely, both the French in blue, with their savage allies, and oure Regulars in bright red, with their savage allies, some in kilts, others in homespun. The Indians were also quite well dressed.

'Crack!' Thus began the rifle fire, which soon enveloped y^e Foreste in a deep cloud of thicke Smoke, the stench whereof was quite overpowering at times. So hardly can one see at such at time that one is moved to wonder if this, indeed, is what the Commentators mean when they do speak of the 'Fogge of Warre'. For foggy it was indeed, there in the deep Foreste.

'BOOM!' Thus went the French Cannon, which, for all they be smalle, and easily conveyed across the mountainous Countryside, yet are they powerful enough, and do make such a Din as to cause one to hold one's Eares and almost drop one's Camera. And yet there were some younge Boyes who happened by and demanded to help with loading one of the small Monsters. This they were permitted to do, under supervision – but only before true Hostilities had begun. After this, they were safely returned behind y^e Yellow Tape to their Guardians.

Fierce fighting could be observed among the trees beyond y^e Yellow Tape, and hair-raising Yells from Indians and y^e Scots Irish. Alas for y^e Scottish troops: y^e Piper fell dead, though not before carefully noting where he fell, so as not to sully his instrument. A true Piper in y^e grand Tradition, and will be missed, as will the gallant British Troops who fell decoratively in y^e Foreste. We shall not see their like again…

Until 11.30 am the next morning, when the Whole Troop will reenact another Skirmish.

This Seneca warrior was proud of his paint, and gladly posed.

Specialle to y^e h2g2 Poste.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

13.07.15 Front Page

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