Camp Followers during the American Revolutionary War

The Encampment will be made up of volunteers of the 43rd Foot and Second Pennsylvania Regiment. Each of the two days will begin with revelry, posting of the guards, colors posted, safety inspection and orders read. During the day there will be practice battle maneuvers with artillery and infantry firing demonstrations. 

Visitors walking among the encamped soldiers can ask them questions about anything and everything, including their dress, weapons, maneuvers, and even their feelings about the Revolutionary War and their places in it.  The Continental Army was always under strength, so be careful lest you find yourselves drafted into their ranks!  The Encampment will continue into the evening hours, so you can hear talk of the day’s maneuvers and see how the soldiers and camp followers entertained themselves.  As the dusk deepens, the camp will be lit by campfire and lanterns on posts.  Be ready to hear some stories around the campfire but remember that it is traditional to do a little exaggerating in the telling! The day will end with taps.

There will also be a tent with a small field desk that will be used as the “headquarters” of the head of the Regiment, which will be conducted as an 18th century headquarters with guards posted at the door.

Mini-demonstrations will be featured in the Encampment throughout both days include wound dressing, emergency dental work, horseshoe smithing, campfire cooking, shoe repair, darning and button sewing, and fiddle and flute playing.

Saturday
9:30 am - Encampment begins with tent pitching and fire building.
10:30 am - Visitors will be able to begin moving among the encamped soldiers and followers with opening events followed by activities and mini-demonstrations throughout the day, until 9pm.

Sunday
10:30 am - Encampment opens to the public
4:00 pm - Soldiers will retire the colors and decamp.

Thomas Clarke House will be open for tours on both Saturday and Sunday.