Anachronism
The city of Ogdensburg in Northern New York (simply referred to as "the city" in these parts, or "New York's Best Kept Secret!") sits on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Once a vital port in the early American (and Canadian) fur trade and the site of important battles in the French and Indian War, American Revolution, and the War of 1812--it is now a bit rough around the edges...and, as I understand it, some places in the middle.
French reinforcementsIt was home to a French fort--known as Fort de La Présentation--before the British came and destroyed it; then it was home to a British fort (Fort Oswegatchie). A century or so later, it was the birthplace and childhood home of television star Mark Valley. Recently, it hosted an historical reenactment of the famous battle in the French and Indian War, starring Mark Valley! Which brings me to today's post.
Faux indiansI'm not a fan of war, but masses of people dressed in historical garb pretending to kill each other seemed like a perfect summer excursion in the North Country. Also, there was quite a bit of hoopla in the NoCo leading up to the weekend, as Our Hero appeared on a national late night talk show and mistakenly referred to it as a War of 1812 reenactment. Outrage!
The water battleSo, we headed North from Potsdam and arrived a bit late for the water battle, an impressive spectacle of replica boats firing blank rounds at each other from cannons and muskets. After a few minutes of action we received word that the land battle was set to begin.
Modern day NoCo punks take pot-shots at the French
We stood with the other spectators and watched from behind the French (and Indian) troops with their floppy red hats (and mohawks and war paint), who did not yet know that they were badly outnumbered by the approaching, more sharply dressed, British. Well, at least the reenactors were acting like they didn't know that they were overmatched, but I'm sure they were informed of the impending final outcome through their pre-reenactment rehearsals or personal research on Wikipedia.
Victory/defeat is nigh
Watching the ill-fated French reenactors brought to mind the Washington Generals, the team that is repeatedly (and, presumably, knowingly) embarrased by the Harlam Globe Trotters in every "game." What type of person volunteers to join the pre-destined losing team? I mean, I'm sure that they're in it for the thrill of the battle and all the historical trappings, but I wonder whether they ever consider throwing the reenactment--not falling to the ground in pretend agony at the appointed time and, instead, fighting on in an endless fake war. A rogue reenactor--that would be something to see.
Mark Valley, a friend to the wounded
The land battle had a narrator--a man in historical dress who tried to explain what was happening, outlining the strategies employed by each side while making the occasional corny joke. Through the PA system, he told us about how the British were outflanking the French (Team Valley) and that this was bad news for Les Bleus.
How do you say "outflanked" in French? They must have a word for it.The battle went on for 15-30 minutes and many shots were fired by both sides before anyone fake-died. Our narrator explained that this was due to the inaccuracy of the firearms at that point in history, but I suspect an alternative explanation related to more modern times. If you signed up to be a reenactor, bought (or rented?) the proper historical clothing, practiced your role, traveled from Ohio, Tennesee, or Quebec; and gave up your weekend for the battle; would you want to die within the first 15 minutes? I imagine that there must be some sort of unwritten rule of historical reenactments that states that the first 30 minutes is a safe period where the fake bullets all miraculously miss their targets.
Our hero (in bleu) readying his digital camera
Eventually, the bodies started to pile up and the French were retreating with the afternoon sun. When the battle had ended, Mark Valley took up position in the French camp, signing autographs for a small line of fans and/or Francophiles.
CarnageWar is hell. Fake war is kind of fun.
Unwinding from the battle in the British camp
1 comment:
A few comments:
1. I was always confused when people referred to "the city." There was no city south of the border that I was aware of.
2. Remember how I thought we were being shot at as we drove through a rough area of Oburg, momentarily forgetting that we were there bc many people were being fake shot at?
3. "Outflank" in French is "déborder"
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