18th century sieges were more like the trenches of World War I than the battles commonly recreated by Revolutionary War reenactments.  Portions of the over 90 acres at Endview Plantation that most participants did not have the opportunity to see or use at previous events will be utilized to attempt to bring the look and feel of a period siege to life.


During the day, soldiers will build fortifications, artillery batteries will exchange fire (possibly with the use of ground charges and air bursts to add realism), and civilians will operate hospitals, laundries, etc. Just before dusk, there will be a public demonstration to recreate the assaults on Redoubts Nine and Ten will be held, starting with an artillery barrage and when the guns go silent, the Allies will sally out with assault ladders to go "over the top".


After taptoo, there will be a voluntary “immersion” opportunity for those who want to participate.  Sentries will be posted and maintained and at a pre-determined time time known only to the commanders, the British come out into “no man’s land” with the intent of spiking the Allied guns, testing the reactions of the Allied sentries.

 

“Our watchword was ‘Rochambeau,’...a good watchword, for...it sounded, when pronounced quick, like rush-on-boys.”

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

  1. Earthworks and camps with wooded areas that obscure modern intrusions

  2. Focus on actually recreating a siege with emphasis on artillery, field engineering, and assaulting the works

  3. Powder stipends for artillery

  4. Circular camp kitchens in both camps

  5. “Night” assaults on the works at dusk to have the look and feel of the assaults on Redoubts Nine and Ten without compromising safety

  6. An optional unscripted “sortie” from the British works

Endview Plantation

362 Yorktown Road

Newport News, VA 23603

Event Coordinators:

  1. Todd Post, 2d Virginia Regiment

  2. Michael Grenier, 64th Regiment of Foot