Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
HUBBARDTON — At 8 a.m. sharp on Sunday, July 12, soldiers dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms marched onto a grassy ridge. As commanders shouted out orders, soldiers took position and fired musket shots that crackled across the hillside. A crowd watched as the soldiers performed what occurred in this same spot on July 7, 1777: the Battle of Hubbardton.
Every summer, a dedicated community of hobbyists makes the trek to the ridge in Rutland County. For them, the annual battle reenactment is more than just a theatrical display of wool uniforms and black powder muskets; by stepping into the boots of those who fought and died on the hillside 249 years ago, the reenactors seek to keep history alive.
“It’s my opportunity to participate in the retelling of the American Revolution and to keep a tradition that has been going on for a while,” Bristol resident Ian Gamling, a reenactor dressed as an American soldier, said. “The people who participated in this battle can’t speak for themselves because they’re long gone. So it’s our job to speak for them.”
During the Revolutionary War, British General John Burgoyne’s forces made their way south from Canada to group up with other British forces near Albany, New York. The British caused the Americans to evacuate Fort Ticonderoga by placing cannons on hills overlooking the fort. On July 7, 1777, the British caught up with the American rearguard at Hubbardton, and a battle commenced for control of the Hubbardton ground.
During the battle reenactment, soldiers held and fired muskets, shouted out battlefield orders and war cries, and some even played dead in the grass after “getting shot,” lying face-up on the battlefield.
Michael Barbieri, a historian from Wallingford, narrated the battle to the audience.
“I always have it in the back of my head that I’m not just publicizing myself or the battle; I’m trying to get folks to understand the guys who fought here on both sides — the American soldiers and the British soldiers — and to have some respect for those who died here, got wounded here, and even for the guys who survived the fight,” Barbieri said. “It’s an honor for me to be here, and I am more than happy to help support this site, support the hobby and remind folks of what happened here.”
Paul Novotny of Clifton Park, New York, is one of the reenactors for the British side. He was dressed in a wool coat and a tricorn hat as a commanding officer.
“When I was a wee lad of 15, I always liked history and similar stuff,” Novotny said.“I am with the 24th Regiment of Foot, who actually fought the battle and lost their major, so it’s important to my regiment that we recreate it.”
The reenactment lasted for about an hour. When it was over, reenactors returned to their period-accurate canvas tents. Spectators roamed around the field and talked with reenactors who demonstrated 18th-century medical care, cooking and gunsmithing. According to reenactors, one of the main goals of the event is to give the public a window into what life was like for Revolutionary War soldiers.
Reenactors, like Colt Falletti of Somers, Connecticut, take historical accuracy seriously.
“I’m not just a guy who puts on a uniform and goes to an event a couple of times a year. I also do research,” Falletti said. “We look through original documents and regimental returns, and we base our uniforms on the best evidence there is. We want to present that information to people. We’ve done a lot of research on how the British Army actually was organized and operated during the war, which is not the way it’s taught in movies or schools, and we want to share that knowledge.”
Jason McKenna of Cuttingsville attended the reenactment with his family.
“I am here for the reenactment, and have a 10-year-old son who is really into history and has a large interest in it,” he said. “We have been making rounds to different historical sites, and seeing his interest has been great.”
Vanessa Holcomb and Trevor Hazell, both from Bomoseen, also attended, but for a slightly different reason.
“We were hiking at Taconic Ramble State Park and saw that the reenactment was going to happen,” Holcomb said. “We got excited about the event, and that it was happening, so we decided to come see it.”
Added Hazell: “Having people who are super knowledgeable about what the time was like is great.”
Holcomb and Hazell said that they had already met two of the reactors the previous evening at a bar nearby. The soldiers were still in full reenactment garb, watching England defeat Norway in the World Cup.