Third Battalion Pennsylvania Regiment of Foot
"The Augusta Regiment," Burd's Company
1756-1764

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Where we'll be in 2013
March 10– Charter Day at Conrad Weiser Homestead
The official kickoff event for our reenacting season. With our sister unit, the Weiser Battalion, and again this year the French LaReine, we present aspects of 18th century military life. Drills, presentations, laundry, hearth cooking, hand crafts abound. Meet Conrad and Anna Eve Weiser as they consider the impact of impending military action in their and their neighbors' lives. From their site: "Weiser was an 18th century German immigrant who served as an Indian interpreter and who helped coordinate Pennsylvania's Indian policy. He played a major role in the history of colonial Pennsylvania." Come visit and learn why that is an understatement.
  March 16 - The Augusta Regiment has the honor to be presented with the DAR National Award for Historic Preservation for our work in keeping history alive for schools, historic sites, and so many organizations for whom we do presentations and demonstrations. We cannot thank the DAR enough for this most pleasant surprise.
 

April 26 - 29 -- Market Faire at Fort Frederick in Big Pool, Maryland
You'll find us scattered amongst the shoppers at what's been called "the mall of 18th century America." The grounds of the fort are filled with over 100 quality sutlers offering everything from clothing, arms, fabric, furniture and furnishings to food, culinary supplies, toys and books and everything in between. Entertainers perform in the 18th century manner for your diversion throughout the days. It's a wonderful time to renew old and gain new friendships and find out what's fresh in the world of living history.
  May 4 – Fort Halifax Festival in Halifax, Pennsylvania
Much of the supplies used to build and outfit Fort Augusta and its men came through Fort Halifax, making it a critical part of the system. This event supports the planned historic park which we expect to feature the reconstructed Fort Halifax. The encampment features river and woodswalk scenarios immersing visitors in trade, travel, and some of the political hazards of the time.
May 27– Sunbury (Pennsylvania) Memorial Day Parade
Honoring our local veterans with a parade and gathering at the city's oldest cemetery where many veterans of many wars enjoy their eternal rest.
June 2 -- Colonial Craft Day at Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania
Members of the unit, along with Weiser Battalion members and other craftspeople demonstrate the essential material needs in the 18th century - possible demonstrations include basketry, ironwork, tinwork, pottery, woodwork, clothing, laundry products, weaving, gunsmithing, knifemaking, and domestic processes. Some craftspeople will have items available for sale.
  July 5 - 7– Fort Niagara
This fort played an important role in the struggles of France, Great Britain, and the United States to control the Great Lakes region of North America, and also helped shape the destinies of the Iroquois (Six Nations) peoples and the nation of Canada. Today Old Fort Niagara is a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site that welcomes more than 100,000 visitors every year. It offers a unique collection of original military architecture and fortifications from the 18th Century and the 19th Century, as well as living history events and programs, historical exhibits and collections, archaeology, and education.
August 2 - 4 -- 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run in Jeannette, Pennsylvania
This commemoration features something for everyone: battle reenactments, wargaming demonstrations, bagpipe concert, Military and Native American camps and programs, Fur Trade programs, a luminary event, and the unveiling of the new monument. From their website, "In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run, we recognize the contributions of Andrew Byerly to American history with this Commemorative Raffle. Andrew was a soldier and frontiersman who witnessed much of the French and Indian War conflict. He ran the station that Natives burned days prior to the Battle of Bushy Run and braved the harsh and often inhospitable, frontier to carve his piece of America." A raffle of several types of arms will be held. Tickets for the raffle are available through their website or at the event.
 

August 10 -- Colonial Living History Day, Fort Augusta Museum in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Members of the Augusta Regiment demonstrate the skills and crafts necessary to the life of the fort - gardening, military drill, construction of fort elements, laundry, cooking, and pastimes of the soldiers and the civilians who relied on the fort for the safety of their homes. Visit the new exhibit in the museum, a part of the Northumberland County Historical Society on the property. There is no admission charged. Donations are welcomed.
August 24 - 25 – Newtown Battlefield
Commemoration of the Battle of Newtown. From their site: "Because of repeated attacks against the white settlers, his orders were to drive the Indians out of the wilderness of New York, to burn their villages and destroy their crops so they could not return. The army was to push its way northward to the shores of Lake Ontario and to capture the British Forts Oswego and Niagara. As the army of about 5,000 soldiers pushed northward from Pennsylvania, they came to this hill and here, on August 29, 1779, near an Indian Village called New Town, they engaged in a battle...The Battle of Newtown." This is a departure from our usual French & Indian War impression, appearing as "woods rabble" and milia during the Revolutionary War..
October 5 and 6 – Heritage Days at Fort Freeland, Warrior Run, Pennsylvania
Taste, smell and see the wonders of the Warrior Run, Pennsylvania area. Sample goods fresh from the hearth and the pot - apple butter, bread, pies, soups and stews. Watch talented handcrafters build furniture, make rope, weave cloth, spin wool, create bobbin lace, work with tin and wood. Enjoy the sounds of wandering musicians. Witness the attack on Fort Freeland, a fortified home in the breadbasket that supplied our Revolutionary War armies. Visit their newly expanded native village to learn a critical and all-too-often minimized part of our valley's history. The Augusta Regiment honors the men of the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Riflemen in this Revolutionary War event.
October 11-13 – Fort Ligonier
The careful reconstruction of the full-sized on-site Fort Ligonier in Ligonier, Pennsylvania makes it a site not to be missed. Soldier accomodations from tent to barracks, a battle with the French, and fort life are demonstrated. Those interested in shopping will enjoy spending the day a few blocks from the fort for the craft festival this weekend.
 

October 19 -- Candlelight Tour of the Fort Augusta Museum in Sunbury, Pennsylvania

The doors open to the public at 6:00 this evening for candlelight tours of the museum and the surrounding fort locations - the powder magazine and fort well which still exist on the property, the cemetery where Col. Samuel Hunter and family members rest. Listen to the groups of soldiers talk amongst themselves about fort conditions and events. You can never be quite sure who you'll meet here. There is no admission charged. Donations are welcome.
November 10 -- Provincial Road Veterans Remembrance
The Augusta Regiment holds a private veterans remembrance each year on a local property that holds the remaining portion of the road from Fort Augusta to the Reading (Tulpehocken) Road, built by the men of Fort Augusta. Included in our remembrance is a march along the road. Though the property's owner has passed on, his enthusiasm for having us here for this event has carried on to his family who have graciously invited us to continue the remembrance. Serjeant Bernie lives on in our hearts and our appreciation for his generosity.

December 14 – Historic Warrior Run Church Candlelight Service
In our guise as the Fort Freeland Company of Independent Rifelemen and families, we take part in historic Christmas services at this 1835 church which saw service beginning as a log church in 1769. Carol singing with a reed organ accompaniment makes this a cozy and inspiring service for people of all beliefs. There is no fee for entry, though contributions to help preserve the church are appreciated.