Well, the mosquito bites have subsided and finally it's time for some
reflection on Fort Ticonderoga. Thanks to all of you who put the time
and effort forth in support of the musicians. Each of you contributed
to the success of this event every bit as much as the fifers and
drummers did and don't forget it!!!
The caravan of both north and south met as planned at the Montvale rest
area and proceeded north meeting at Lake George around noontime Friday
August 5. After some members toured Fort William Henry ( Last of the
Mohicians) the entire caravan met at Duffy's Irish Pub for lunch. The
group departed Lake George at around 2:45 pm and arrived at the fort at
around 3:30. With plenty of helping hands our "Super Fly", company
tent, and company street were constructed well before dark.
The musicians spent the evening jamming with fifers and drummers from
throughout the land playing well into the evening as the rest of the
3rd NJ welcomed members who had arrived later that evening.
Saturday was an extremely busy day as the field musicians of the 3rd
did revielle for the entire camp at 8am. Later that morning all
participants were loaded onto buses to attend the parade of all 34
corps through the village of Ticonderoga. This parade was a huge
success as we marched in front of a surprisingly huge and enthusiastic
crowd throughout the entire parade route. The 3rd marched off to the
ancient tune "Hog Eye Man" passing the Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps
as well as the prestigious Old Guard of the 3rd Army along the way.
Next up was our performance inside of the Fort. This was absolutely
stirring as the place was packed and we entered though the Sally port
to raucous cheers. A big hit we were!!
Later that evening we were to perform as part of the Torchlight Concert
for Freedom featuring only 7 of the 34 corps including Williamsburg
and The Ticonderoga Corps. A crowd of about 1,500 on the hillside was
waiting for our performance. The music marched in first, peeled off to
one side, and Captain Pepe and the boys did various drill maneuvers and
firing for the spectators. They loved it!! Back in camp and after a
sumptous dinner from the Dogrobber himself, the merriment started and
continued well into the evening from Finnegan's Wake, to a country
fiddler, to an Ancient Mariner singing shanty songs. This evening had
it all!!
After Sunday's 8am revielle we performed one last time in the fort
Sunday am. This was also a big success as the musicians were a bit
more comfortable and the crowds in the fort a bit smaller. Upon our
completion of this performance we began to break down the company
equipment and headed home.
Thanks to all of you adventurous souls who took part. You did us all
proud.
John St. Peter-3rd New Jersey Volunteers
The caravan of both north and south met as planned at the Montvale rest area and proceeded north meeting at Lake George around noontime Friday August 5. After some members toured Fort William Henry ( Last of the Mohicians) the entire caravan met at Duffy's Irish Pub for lunch. The group departed Lake George at around 2:45 pm and arrived at the fort at around 3:30. With plenty of helping hands our "Super Fly", company tent, and company street were constructed well before dark.
The musicians spent the evening jamming with fifers and drummers from throughout the land playing well into the evening as the rest of the 3rd NJ welcomed members who had arrived later that evening.
Saturday was an extremely busy day as the field musicians of the 3rd did revielle for the entire camp at 8am. Later that morning all participants were loaded onto buses to attend the parade of all 34 corps through the village of Ticonderoga. This parade was a huge success as we marched in front of a surprisingly huge and enthusiastic crowd throughout the entire parade route. The 3rd marched off to the ancient tune "Hog Eye Man" passing the Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps as well as the prestigious Old Guard of the 3rd Army along the way.
Next up was our performance inside of the Fort. This was absolutely stirring as the place was packed and we entered though the Sally port to raucous cheers. A big hit we were!!
Later that evening we were to perform as part of the Torchlight Concert for Freedom featuring only 7 of the 34 corps including Williamsburg and The Ticonderoga Corps. A crowd of about 1,500 on the hillside was waiting for our performance. The music marched in first, peeled off to one side, and Captain Pepe and the boys did various drill maneuvers and firing for the spectators. They loved it!! Back in camp and after a sumptous dinner from the Dogrobber himself, the merriment started and continued well into the evening from Finnegan's Wake, to a country fiddler, to an Ancient Mariner singing shanty songs. This evening had it all!!
After Sunday's 8am revielle we performed one last time in the fort Sunday am. This was also a big success as the musicians were a bit more comfortable and the crowds in the fort a bit smaller. Upon our completion of this performance we began to break down the company equipment and headed home.
Thanks to all of you adventurous souls who took part. You did us all proud.
John St. Peter-3rd New Jersey Volunteers