The Return to the Hook, Gloucester, VA

The 17th rode at the Battle of the Hook this past weekend in Gloucester, VA.  The event was a great success, fun was had by all, and riding with the Colonial Williamsburg contingent of the Queen's Rangers on Saturday made our numbers double.  This weekend included over 1,000 reenactors on both sides (Continental and British).  There were boat landings, cavalry demonstrations and battlefield engagements, a night skirmish, the raiding and burning of a farm house as well as overall fun!

235th Anniversary of The Battle of Monmouth

The 17th rides with Tarleton's Legion and the Queen's Rangers
(Horses L-R:  Riley, Tank, Sir, Bea, and on the end Huckleberry)
(Photo by the 17th Light Dragoons)

The 17th engaged the rebels this past weekend, 15-16 June 2013, at The Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey.

Click here to watch the Cavalry charge at the battle and also check out the full battle here.  

Private Bradford on Riley
(Photo courtesy of Gary Vorwald)

Private Dawes riding Sir(Photo courtesy of Gary Vorwald)

Captain Phillips riding Sergeant by Christopher Robbins at New Jersey.com

Sergeant Fisher and Private Clive by Christopher Robbins at New Jersey.com

Raid Upon the Potomac 1781 - Gunston Hall Plantation

Camp

The Battle on Saturday

     This past weekend the 17th Light Dragoons participated in the "Raids Along the Potomac" event at Gunston Hall Plantation the home of George Mason.  The event was hosted by the 7th Virginia of the Continental Line, the Cold Stream Guards, and our unit of the British Brigade.

     The setting was Virginia 1781 as Lord Cornwallis marched his Army into Virginia that spring with Gunston Hall Plantation serving as the backdrop.  The event offered two excellent battles, a tactical, plundering of the out buildings and cellar by the dragoons, and campfollowers marching out with the army and getting ambushed by the rebels!

A woman on the ration is shot and the ladies work together
to take her with them to get away from the rebels.

     The women were following the Army out and as we were leaving found ourselves in the middle of the rebels and the men trying to protect us.  We had to fall on the ground, get up and run, then fall again.  We were herded into the woods but just before one of the women went down.  One of us would not leave her lying there, so we so we dragged her off.  Her shoes fell off so we grabbed those too and all that she was carrying.  Once in the woods we were told to run through the gully - most of the women couldn't maneuver it and we had to go on the road.  We were open to anything at that point, almost running behind the rebels main line.  Another woman went down and we didn't have time to drag her so we grabbed her basket, took off down the road, and into the woods finally safe.  

In Battle

Woman on the Ration with Taz - Photo by Kelsey Freeman of Drifting Focus Photography

Sergeant Fisher testifies on behalf of a soldier's conduct on the field.

  

Presidents Day Weekend Annual Battle Re-enactment at Ft. Ward Park

Private Clive, Lady Walters, and Private Farrell

His Majesties 17th Light Dragoons attended the Presidents Day Weekend Annual Battle Re-enactment at Ft. Ward in Alexandria, VA hosted by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line. The day was blustery and cold with an occasional snow flurry, and forded an opportunity to go out and burn some powder and educate the public.

His Majesties 17th Light Dragoon dismounts help form a skirmish line with the 84^th Regiment Foot of the Second Battalion, Royal Highland Emigrants (Light), and His Majesty's Marines

 

2013 Schedule of Events

The 2013 Schedule of Events has been posted!  Our first event will take place during the George Washington Birthday Celebration at the Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday, 17 February.  Come see us during the Revolutionary War Encampment & Skirmish starting at 10 am.