The First Pennsylvania Regiment

07/01/2025

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your participation in this year’s 4th of July celebration. Here is pertinent information:

Arrival:
Please arrive as close to 9:00 as possible. The camp needs to be open and ready no later than 10:00. Though the gates officially open at 11:00. It is not unusual for guest to arrive early.

Parking:
There are 2 options for parking:

Option 1: If you are only carrying personal equipment, i.e. equipment you can march with, and are planning to stay through the fireworks, please park in the main parking area. You will be directed to a parking area. I will be on hand with a cart to carry you to the encampment. I will also be on hand to move you to your vehicle at the conclusion of the evening.

Option 2: If you have a large amount of equipment to unload/load, or are leaving before the fireworks begin (i.e. leaving between 6:30-7:00) you are welcome to park behind the new independence Hall building. If you plan to leave before the fireworks, let me know and I will lead you out.

Schedule:

Camp will open at 10:00. I am sure the captain will want to conduct a brief drill to review the manual and company exercises.

Public Demonstrations:
11:30, 12:30, 2:30, 5:00, 6:00

Battle for the Bridge:
1:30, 3:30

Powder is provided.

Please plan on staying until at least 6:30.

Food:
Laurel cousins will cook in the camp. In addition, every participant will receive a meal ticket.

Health:
There will be an ample supply of water and Powerade. In addition, there is an air conditioned room in the basement of the building next to the encampment. PLEASE take advantage and protect yourself. If you need to sit out a drill, let the sergeants know.
If there is a threat of lightning, programs will be suspended. Programs will not be rescheduled. Please shelter in the basement.

My phone number is 205-645-8776. Please call or text if you have any questions.

Again, thank you for your participation. I look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Chris

06/26/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,
There is a work day this Saturday. Please arrive by 9, we will work till 4.(perhaps a little later). Lunch is on your own. We will break when the village is conducting a demonstration. Water will be provided.

06/25/2025

Greetings to all! Just a reminder that we have a work day scheduled this Saturday to prep the camp for Independence Day! The more folks, the better! The Bowery we build are indispensable for the long and sweltering day to come. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I will bring the power auger so maybe it can do most of the work.
Also and sadly, our drummer, George Graham is moving on to bigger and better things. He will be selling all of his clothing and equipment at the encampment this Saturday, so plan accordingly. Let’s help him out the best we can. George’s contribution to the First Pa is above measure. Being a professional percussionist and an Army veteran he fit his role to a tee. He and the others will be missed. Thank you George. I am glad to call you friend.
Drop me a line if any of you need anything. Hope to see you Saturday.
Allen Cousins

06/17/2025

These photos were taken a few years ago. I find it enjoyable to visit the final resting places of the original Officers and Men of the First Pennsylvania Regiment. Here we have the graves of James Chambers, John Holliday, and David Ziegler. When reenacting, it is easy to get lost in the narrative and the history. Standing in front of their monuments, I am reminded that these were real flesh and blood men. It helps put things into perspective so that we can do our best to honor them and their sacrifices. DOMARI NOLO!

06/13/2025

I love you guys, but there are times...
https://www.facebook.com/100064328156801/posts/1118147017006226/

-Yoda

06/11/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A remeinder that we will gather this Saturday, June 14, at the American Village for the Army 250 birthday celebration. Please be in place at the camp by 9:00. The event will conclude at 4;00.
We originally planned to hold a cookout afterwards to celebrate the founding of the regiment, but that is postponed. We will wait until more mebers can participate.

I ecieved a message regarding the need for reenactors to take part in a filming on June 22. THIS IS NOT A VILLAGE EVENT. Let me know if you are intrested and i will send further information.

Chris

06/02/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Once again, words cannot express my gratitude and pride at your activates on Memorial Day. Your dedication, knowledge, discipline, and enthusiasm should be the envy of any unit of any period recreation. Furthermore, you camaraderie should be the envy of all. An hour with all of you teaches me more about the "soldier like way" than a lifetime of books. I am thankful for the privileged of working with you all.

A few notes regarding upcoming events:

I still do not have a full plan for June 14. Let us keep to the general arrangement of arriving by nine and operating the camp until four. We are doing a cookout afterward. More details on that shortly.

We will hold our usual work weekend of June 28 9-5.

Then, of course, July 4.

I hope everyone is well.

Chris

05/22/2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I need a single soldier to fire a musket at the beginning of the 5k run Monday morning. Please contact me if you are interested.

Also, regrettably I will not be joining you either Memorial Day or the 4th of July. While I hope to be medically cleared to resume interpretive duties soon, participation in the encampment is still some time away. I will, of course, be there both days. For Memorial Day, my uniform of the day will be khakis and my official American Village golf shirt.
At least I get to keep my beard.

Chris