Archive for September, 2010
Your author dressed out as a Marine Lieutenant, Circa 1812. Naval guns at the McHenry Water Battery in the background.
First – My apologies for such a long delay in blogging. Life just got in the way, but I’m back now.
This past weekend the US Marine Corps Historical Company was at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, for Defenders Day, to tell the Marine Corps story – what the Marines did during the War of 1812. This is an annual program for us, and we are contracted by the National Park Service to provide educational services to the visiting public. To do so, we brought in an impressive group of active duty Marines from various bases around the east coast. These were led by a cadre of historical interpreters who are active duty, former active duty, retired or otherwise members of the Marine family. Indeed, this cadre is the mainstay of the Historical Company.
Supported by our superb logistics team, we had a dozen Marines in 1812 uniforms, doing both infantry drill and working our 12 pounder naval gunnade as a precision artillery crew. At this time in Marine history, all Marines were expertly trained in multi-tasking. They served as infantry, artillery (on land when needed and in support of naval gun crews on board ship), and conducted naval shipboard duties, as well. Over the weekend we fired 18 rounds from the gunnade and numerous infantry volleys, after demonstrating precision manual at arms movements and other drill exercises. The park visitors do so love a big bang, and we gave them plenty.
Marines (in full dress) functioning as infantry.
We had several thousand Baltimore school kids pass thru Friday, alone. Bus loads arrived one after the other. Non-stop presentations. Tom Williams, the Director USMCHC, gave talks from morning until late pm, not only Friday, but all three days.
Marines (in fatigue dress) functioning as artillery, manning the 12 pounder naval gunnade, while the Director USMCHC explains the gun drill to the visitors in background.
We told the Marine Corps story to lots of good folks, and demonstrated the precision and professionalism that has become the Marine Corps standard of excellence, then, and now. Although I may have just a bit of prejudice, I would have to say our Marines were awesome.
Semper Fi !
Marines in platoon front formation exiting the Fort. GySgt Tom Williams, Director USMCHC on left as you view photograph.
Full seven-man gunnade crew loading the piece in preparation for firing. There are four Marines on the gun itself (Crew Numbers 1 thru 4), a gunner commanding the piece just visible to the rear, and two Marines at the ammunition box in the foreground (Crew Numbers 5 and 6). This versatile gun could be used either on board ship or as a field piece on shore.
