The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums |
If you would like to join this exciting corps, Click Here!
Nathan Hale is also trying to locate the many, many former members who may be lurking out there in cyberspace. If you were ever a member of any of our units, please provide as much of the information requested below as possible.
When were you in the corps?:
Which Unit were you in?
MUSICK!
RANGERS!
ARTILLERY!
ARTIFICER!
COLOR GUARD!
What do you think of this website?
It's Great!
It Stinks!
Ho Hum!
Do you think you might like to re-join us in our ongoing adventure(s)?
NOT!
It Sounds Like it might be fun!
Are you NUTS?!
Thanks for your input
Bob Castillo
This year's event will be held on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, Ct.
On Friday & Saturday there will be two battles during the day, along with many Revolutionary War re enactment activities.
Then; on Sunday, at NOON, a short parade will take place, followed by the Grand Fife & Drum Muster of about 15 corps.
Due to the historic location and the type of event we hold there will be no "F" troop ending the muster.
Parking will be available in the field adjacent to the Nathan Hale Homestead as in the past. It will be crowded dthsi year so plan accordingly.
The group participates regularly in a variety of events; parades, musters, re-enactments, demonstrations and concerts.
Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums stormed the Westbrook Muster Field in August of 2002 with cannon blazing. Here is a slideshow of the event.
If a member of the musick, what instrument(s)?:
Drop a note telling us a little about your life after Nathan:
Where and When to See the Corps Performing 2008
of
Coventry, Connecticut
cordially invite you to their
- Twenty First Annual Encampment Weekend & Fife & Drum Muster -
Friday, Saturday & Sunday July 25th-27th, 2008
Instead we have a formal "Grand Finale" where all of the participating units fall in line together and march on to the field performing as one.
This is followed by the "Circle of Friendship" signaling the end of the formalities and the beginning of the jam session. Those units wishing to participate in the "Grand Finale" are asked to do so in uniform until the jam session begins. During the morning and early after noon, there will also be a Farmer's Market on the grounds.
ABOUT THE NATHAN HALE ANCIENT FIFES AND DRUMS
WHO we are and WHAT we do.
The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, Inc. have been officially recognized as the reactivated 19th Connecticut Regiment of Foot - Continental Line. Organized in 1965, the group now is comprised of four units: The Field Music (Better known as The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums), Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers, Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery, and The Company of Artificers. Their commitment to authenticity has resulted in their having won the coveted recognition from the Company of Military Historians.
The Field Music
The musicians are attired in the regimental uniform of Col. Charles Webb's 19th Connecticut Regiment
of Foot in which unit Capt Nathan Hale served in 1776. The regimental coat is "snuff" brown wool with white facings. The waistcoat and britches are a buff-colored linen. A black leather stock (for protecting the throat against saber slashes) with a white ruffled shirt, white knit stockings, military cocked hat, hand-cast pewter buttons and shoe buckles complete the uniform. Carried before the field music by the Color Guard are their
colors: the Cambridge flag of 1776, the flag of the Connecticut Colony (like the present CT. flag but on a RED field, the gold regimental colors of Col. Webb's regiment, and the corps own colors derived from the Hale family coat-of-arms.
Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers
Armed with flintlock muskets typical for the period, this group represents the infantry of the revolutionary period. The unit patterns itself after what is known of the original unit formed by Lt. Col. Thomas Knowlton of Ashford, Connecticut in 1776, under a commission from Gen. George Washington, to provide a force for probing attacks, scouting, and espionage. Capt. Nathan Hale was on a volunteer mission of espionage from this unit when he was captured and executed in New York. All of the arms,clothing, and accoutrements are of the design of the period.
Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery
Patterned after the original unit which saw service from 1776 and 1781, this artillery battery participates in all corps events. It members wear the uniforms designed from those of the original company.
The smaller cannon, often used in parades, was cast from a mold made from an actual cannon hauled out from Lake George. It should be noted that Capt. Buckland was later taken prisoner and died on the infamous prison ship, JERSEY. For more information about this distinguished unit, please visit our website by clicking on the cannon button
The Company of Artificers
This group has as it's model, the unit formed by Gen. Knox for the maintenance of equipment. This unit is composed of people who are preserving 18th-century CRAFTS. Appropriately dressed interpreters demonstrate activities such as flint-knapping, pewter casting, candle dipping, spinning, cooking, the art of the apothecary and weaving on looms (depending upon availability of the crafts-people).
If you have an interest in joining us, arranging for an appearance at your event, or simply desire more information, feel free to write to: Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes And Drums, P.O.Box 1776, Coventry, Ct. 06238.....
Or... send e-mail to them from