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Brien McWilliams, After-Action Report on the 2009 Commemoration |
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The 196th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Mims/Fort Mims Massacre was another roaring success. Thanks to all the participants who showed up to make it a great event for the many spectators who came out both days to see it. At least this year there was no hurricane blowing our way in the gulf. While it did rain a little on us Sunday morning, it was of short duration and did not mess things up for us. The weather was mild and the heat not bad. Sleeping at night was a pleasure in cooler temperatures and virtually no mosquitos. We pulled off the Skirmish at Burnt Corn Creek Saturday morning with a record 35 Creek warriors armed to the teeth. No yellow jackets assisted the Creek counterattack this year so the militia will have to take full credit for losing the battle entirely on their own. As the militia fled the scene, the Creeks began to plot their revenge. It was nice to have the battle area clear of logs and other debris once again. There was good musical entertainment between battles and some very good period impression talks. Thanks to those of you who volunteered your time to help us educate the public with these talks. The crowd obviously loved it and gave each of the speakers their full attention. A tomahawk throwing competition attracted a lot of interest and participation. A fine rifle and possibles bag was offered to the winner of a drawing. Some very nice artifact exhibits were on display at the pavilion. A blacksmithing demonstration and a full Indian camp had many curious spectators eagerly observing and asking tons of questions. The fight for Fort Mims was equally exciting as it went off without major glitches or injuries. I give credit to all who safely fought the battles, and especially to Darrell Hager and Forrest Bruton of the White Water Long Hunters who so graciously conducted the safety talk. Firelocks blazed, arrows flew, women and children screamed in mock horror as the garrison fell beneath war clubs and tomahawks of the Red Stick Creeks. The dip in Majors Creek was a welcome break, as always. The rock dam has been removed by the county, but the swimmin' hole was still nice and cool as ever. The crowd of bathers was large and a great time was had by all. Many a song was sung and a beer can drained during that wondrous soaking. The catfish meal prepared for us by the FMRA was delicious with all the trimmings. The reenactors appreciated the ice supplements for the ice chests as well. Many thanks to the hard working members of FMRA and friends. They made the reenactors feel welcome and did a wonderful job running the whole event. Following the meal, our Trade Blanket was hosted by Beardog Hager, who was absent last year. He runs a mean show and gets a lot of laughs the whole time. Many an item of value, as well as some of little value, was swapped among our many traders. It has certainly become one of the highlights we look forward to. As I said, Sunday morning rain fell but soon abated. The only problem seemed to be with a lot of misfires from the flintlocks. Wet pans, flints, and frizzens are not conducive to good warfare, we have found. Our numbers for Sunday were still very good. I counted 34 warriors reporting for action and many settlers. The final Fort Mims fight was the best of the weekend. We did take time to battle each other for a few moments over the barricades on either side of Patrick's Loom House which gave more realism to the events as they surely took place 196 years earlier. This was the 30th of August, 196 years to the day. Congratulations to all for another fine effort. Our impressions continue to improve as we strive toward perfection by 2013, the bicentennial of this great American tragedy. Each year we see more flintlocks and better Creek Indian impressions. Our Creek expert, Farris Powell, conducted a great school of the Indian for us and bragged several times on how well we looked and how far we have come in the past few years. Many thanks to Curtis Makamson for his traditional great job of narration before and after the battles. So many others gave so much and my hat is off to each and every one of you! See you next year at Fort Mims, the good Lord willin' an' the Creek don't rise! Brien McWilliams Reenactor Coordinator FMRA Board Member |