War re-enactors slip into 18th century
OGDENSBURG — French and Indian War re-enactors from across New England, Canada and even Europe carried out centuries-old battle drills at the site of a former French fort here over the weekend, briefly bringing history to life — even if it was just for practice.
Donning wool uniforms and tricorn hats, about two dozen re-enactors from the north country colonial-era re-enactment group Forsyth's Rifles and several other units converged on the city's historic Lighthouse Point to train for the annual Founder's Day mock battles and living history events. Founder's Day will be held July 18 and 19 at Lighthouse Point.
The events commemorate the role Fort La Presentation, founded by French missionary Francois Picquet at Lighthouse Point in 1749, played in the French and British battle for control of colonial North America.
By Sunday afternoon, a handful of French soldier re-enactors remained at the site, preparing to go home after practicing tactical drills for mock battles to come against British colonial foes.
David A. Clarke, a re-enactor for the past 17 years, made the trip from Coventry, England, to play a French soldier. He said he has no regrets about opposing his country in battle.
"I prefer the French side," he said. "You get to be the bad guy at home. Everybody boos you. It's fun."
Fellow seasoned re-enactor John M. Miller III, DeKalb Junction, said he doesn't mind being on the losing side, either. The French cannon crew soldier said it's only fair that the French be represented in re-enactments, especially since they won many battles against the British before France lost the war in 1763.
Asked why he's been at it for 35 years, Mr. Miller replied, "I just love history."
Dana J. Denhoff, Potsdam, Forsyth's Rifles president, said his fascination with the St. Lawrence River's role in the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 fuels his love for re-enacting.
"When I was a kid I always liked history, but I never learned anything about the St. Lawrence River," he said. "Part of my ancestry is French and Indian on my mother's side, so it seemed like a natural thing to do."
The soldier re-enactors were accompanied by camp followers, women and children in charge of cooking and chores at camp using 18th-century methods while the soldiers train.
But one woman, Terri A. Papineau, Midcoast, Maine, proudly sported a French soldier's uniform.
"I've always been a soldier. Nobody's ever said to me that I couldn't be one. It's true that there are few of us. There are maybe two in the entire French ranks, counting myself," she said. "This is a very male-dominated hobby, but I've been blessed to be under commanders who are open-minded and of the mentality that as long as I'm willing to do the work, I have a right to be there."
Mrs. Papineau said that this weekend was her first at Lighthouse Point, and that she hopes to return for Founder's Day following the French and Indian War 250th anniversary events at Fort Niagara and Fort Ticonderoga later this month and in July.
Lighthouse Point will host the state's 250th French and Indian War Commemoration events in 2010.
More information about Fort La Presentation and Founder's Day can be found online at www.fortlapresentation.net. Information about the 250th French and Indian War Commemoration can be found online at www.fiw250.org.
