My First Command, and My Many Mistakes
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2017
- Note: It has been confirmed that the distinction between "Firelocks" and "Arms" was no longer in use by the French Revolutionary wars.
When drilling at Fort Laurens, we decided that it would be good fun to change it up a bit and let everyone try their hand at parading the troops. It was great fun, but more stressful than I would have imagined, given that we were so small a group and without an enemy to concern ourselves with. I made a number of mistakes in the field, of varying severity, which would have overall rendered me a fairly incompetent commander. Especially if these mistakes took place during the day's later battle, or with a larger body of troops! -
-
- -
- -
This video was made in support of The Native Oak. Learn more about our educational mission here:
www.nativeoak.org/
If you'd like to support the channel, please consider giving on Patreon,
/ brandonf
You can follow me on social media too!
/ thenativeoak
/ brandonfisichella
With a bayonet on the end, it now constitutes two weapons.
Making them arms.
Mistakes get made all the time, I’m glad to see someone in the field who’s open to admit it. That being said you still did a heck of a better than I did my first time
Thank you! And, I figured it's some nice footage as well, so this was a fun way to put it on display.
British officers don't make mistakes. They make spontaneous and creative modifications to the standard drill and trust that their men are intelligent enough to understand what they mean. It helps confuse the enemy.
…and British soldiers always follow their officers into battle willingly… albeit frequently only due to curiosity about what will happen next…
Hi, can you do a video about soldier´s personal things (something to eat and drink from, pipe, etc.)?
Once I manage to purchase enough items to put something like that together, that would be an interesting video topic!
Deefer ye old Vape
There was a british article about soldier's kit through the ages, from early medieval britain to a modern royal marine.
Living in Britain myself I find it odd that there are people in the US who are this loyal and devoted to Britain, and it makes me happy :P
Why not? People are not ashamed of their heritage if they come from elsewhere here in the States. We have Latin, Black, Irish pride days in various areas even here in New York City. And elsewhere nation wide. (Nothing wrong with it IMHO). For one to feel shame for their heritage is to deny one's humanity.
""I pray, Mr Adams, that the United States does not suffer unduly from its want of a monarchy."" - King George to President John Adams
Tom Owen I mean I’m more loyal to my country than I am to England but at the same time the revolt was a result of propaganda
It's not that people are loyal, it's that the Continental reenactors need somebody to shoot at :-D
This is reenactment, he isnt actually "loyal" or "devoted" to britain
I someday want to see a TH-cam video that explains exactly how a column goes "By the left (or right) by file into line." I've read the description of the maneuver in Hardee at least a hundred times, and it still boggles my mind.
If I understand what you mean correctly, it's actually quite simple when you see it done in real life. The front file would halt, and every subsequent man would run diagonally either left or right, to "Form front!" and present a full line to the enemy. You can see an example of this in my video "Old Sturbridge Village Redcoats and Rebels, 2016 | Second Day | First Person Reenactment" where in the first minute and a half, we go from marching in column to forming a full line. After forming the front, we also extend the line into open order, which you may also find interesting.
Another similarly interesting maneuver, marching from line into column by wheeling, can be found in my video "Fort Laurens 2017- Tomb of the Unknown Patriot Ceremony and Salute"
Brandon2495 interesting. I think it would make a little more sense in my mind if I saw it from the opposing point of view. From the description in Hardee's manual, it sounds like it would just be a disaster.
Ryan Frederick I've done it with my 2nd Wisconsin battalion numerous times. It's confusing at first then more practice we got better.
Jared Alexander Very nice. Big fan of those sharp Wisconsin regiments. My great-great grandfather was a corporal in the 23rd.
You should join the 32nd Regiment in Mount&Blade Warband: Napoleonic Wars. They are as close as it gets to the orignal orders and they do drills and linebattles. It takes time to get used to being in a line, and I imagine it goes the same in real life. Imagine having to keep all those rules in mind under the threat of enemy musket or artillery fire.
By file into line is one of the basics. If it's by the left, the left column will form the front rank and the right column will form the rear rank. The first person to form up is the soldier at the front of the left column, during the form up he is the anchor of the formation. The soldier at the front of the right column will go behind him while at the same time, the 2nd man in the left column will move besides the soldier previously in front of him.
"I'm a reenactor in a world renowned group" Bro I'm a Cpl in the BallzDeep Battlefield1 Ace squadron
And I'm A Seaman in the World of Warships BWC division :-P
Man Of Harlech lol 😂 dude
I’m a Captain in the 29th Regiment of Foot in Battle Grounds III, a Revolutionary War FPS :)
I salute you
I know exactly how you feel. My sport is rowing, and as my height determines, I am a coxwain. I am, basically, the officer, or captain if you will, of the boat. I am on charge of many things, like motivating the men, or controlling their spacing, or their timing, or their rate. It can be very stressful.
just discovered your channel love it hope to see more! :D
Thank you! Lovely to have you here.
I'm so happy I am finally getting into a a British regiment!
How do you mean? Reenacting, a game, or the real thing?
Stay in the Indian Army, you Irish mountebank. John Company is getting too big for his britches, I say.
Reenacting!
Quick question, how’d it go?
Column left cadet! You were supposed to call a column left!
Jk. I couldn't find any mistakes because I didn't know any British Drill.
Are you a Loyalist? It looks like you are :D
After a fashion.
Brandon F. After a fashion??
Avadhut Kasinadhuni loyalist? Lol nigga did you not see the intro?
im currently in the process of my application to the British Army to become an officer in the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and my Sgt. Major at my Army Cadets detachment decided to give me command over a parade of roughly 60 cadets, suffice to say, by the end of the night, they really were moving from A to B in a smart and soldierly like fashion :D
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution and called them "persons inimical to the liberties of America".
I was younger than you are now, when I was given my first command. I led my men straight in to a massacre, I witnessed their deaths firsthand. I made every mistake, and felt the shame rise in me, and even now I lie awake, knowing history had its eyes on me
BeeLover goddamnit washington whatchu doin here
MY MIND DID THIS TOO!!!!
Now I want to be a reenactor. It's the next best thing to actually being in the real thing and having the stellar uniforms. One of my favorite channels and keep up the great work!
I'm not sure the real thing would be all that fun! I like being able to take a shower and sleep in a bed after the weekend. And, of course, not getting shot helps too.
Having marched men around a Parade Field, your first crack at it wasn't bad, certainly better than most. A lot goes through your head when marching troops as you stated, once you learn to confidently clear your head, and focus on the commands you need to give them, the rest fall into place.
I used to be a drum major in my high school marching band. I'm curious as to how different the experience is from commanding in a reenactment.
I used to do this with my friends when I was 12. These guys never grew up, did they? I envy them!
You must've had a really good childhood :c
I envy you
It takes a while, even when you're Active Duty, to get everything 100%.
You did a good job for your first time
3:46 you look like the son of the guy behind you lmfao
I love this event! Didn’t know you attend. Awesome!
Congrats on your command, it is always a hell of a lot harder to recall the orders once you are in charge.
When I got promoted to Corporal in the RAFAC (mostly involves taking drill and parade) I made mistakes when taking drill, I am used to it now but it’s the transition which is usually quite sudden from being in the squad to being in charge of it! Keep up the breath content, I always love to see an American who is interested in British history!
I just discovered this channel and after watching many of your videos, you are now one of my favorite channels. Your personality makes you stand out a lot from other similar channels. Keep up these fantastic videos!
I'm glad to hear that! So much of this 'TH-cam game' is trying to stand out from the crowd after all.
Brandon2495 one question I would like to ask you is how you keep your camera hidden on your body during reenactments. I am considering using a GoPro at an upcoming event and I'm having trouble finding a way to keep it out of sight but still be able to film what's happening. So far the best I've come up with is clipping it to my cartridge box sling but the GoPro is clearly visible that way
The best way is always to obscure it in your hat, if at all possible. What I do with my AWI kit is wrap it in fabric and hang it on my belt. It is still fairly visible, but I move it out of the way behind my coat whenever near the crowd. I also
don't use it at every event, such as this one at Ft Laurens, because of how close the battle was to the public.
dude being a sgt of a small fireteam was the most stressful job i've ever had! you did pretty well and with a few days of practice, i'd follow you into battle for king george
What you went through is one of the reasons our unit has a spring training every year. Not only for the enlisted to knock off the rust, but for the officers and NCO's to do also. As you now know from your experience, it's one thing to be in the ranks and get it right, another to be in command. The hardest thing for me is when facing the troops is having them face opposite of the way I will be turning. (Telling them to face right, and then turning myself left) 😃
On the bright side, you didn't get anyone accidentally shot! You did better than most people I know of could managed on their first time.
I love your channel keep up the great stuff
The humble peacock . Entertaining . Well done.
I know nothing about the period but from personal experience in the Military with respect to drill I would suggest.
1. Stand at the rear or March Behind a column including moving to the right of a line if you are going to turn them into a left column and vice versa. why?
A You are not exposed to enemy fire.
B Your men are all inside the "cone" of your voice commands and YOU ARE FACING THEM. If you issue a command when in front maybe only the first or second man will hear you. If there were thirty men instead of six you would have a "ripple" effect and possibly some doing nothing at all as they didn't hear you ( which can be very bad if you oerder to halt because the one behind will slam into them).
Project your voice not at them but over the heads of the first few so the fourth or fifth person ( or the third rank back in a larger formation ) can hear it.
C You can observe men out of line or step ( and they will not see if you are:) It isnt a huge problem if you are it is only one person but I assume the body of men need to be coordinated for firing and formation etc.
Try standing in the same spot and ordering them to move in formation around you as you rotate to encompass them all with your voice. Try getting them to turn column into file and then marching as a line where they pass either side of you . Then turn about and issue another command.
Im sure you have seen "trooping the colour" and you realise this can look very good with say thirty men turning line to file, wheeling etc. Splitting the ranks and doing half turns makes it very fancy. a lot of the time the ground is marked off for places of key people.
Also with larger numbers, Arrange them into a single line tallest to shortest. Get people to switch until they have a shorter person on one side and a taller on the other. then have them march past you or number off. Numbering off is best not done for less than two groups of even/odd.
As they march past point tap or select them one by one saying "first rank, second rank, third rank, first rank ..." etc. The single line will then become three and it will be sized from one side to the other looking from the front. This looks better for drilling but it also assists in a short guy having to shoot over a kneeling tall guy in a rank in front of him as people are comparable height near them.
I literally had the job of doing a drill comp and marching them to and from all the meals. It sucks but by the second week straight my voice was gone but I learned how to do it right and I had my voice back and some competence commanding. So in short practice makes perfect
I can sympathise, having had to march troops around in my Jr Leadership course, when I missed my turn, and my troops had to march an extra block because of me. Had similar things first time crew commanding an APC.
You're not alone, I was given command of a very small squad retiring the colors at an Indian Wars era Candle Light event. I was very happy just to get the colors to the post commander and get my squad off the parade field.
hey man not bad for your first time marching troops. i spend 4 years in the USMC, and one of the things i hated the most as an NCO was having to march other marines around.
This is the second time you have showed up in my recommendation list and I don’t know how it keeps happening
At 3:05 you command the platoon standing behind their backs. This is never done. You have to be in front of them. Additionally, each command consists of three parts: address - preparatory - execution. This is often not distinguishable.
Giving a pause to Brandon!
Thank you!
This is absolutely the best channel I have ever come across
You are too kind!
I really like your videos. Drill looks easy until you're the one in the hot seat! Keep up the good work.
Drill is not really hard however it is quite easy to mess up smaller details and not to dis the reenactors but it seems like they don’t really care about timing and or sharpness like what would matter to an actual military unit or JROTC/ROTC unit
Could've stood to use the full power of your voice, too. I got picked out on that one when I got voluntold to briefly lead some of our guys through FIBUA drills - I'd only raised my voice a bit to make sure they could hear me. I'm so conscious of how loud I usually am that I won't actually shout unless specifically told to, I guess.
Plus, giving orders is more fun when you're bawling them out.
I would love to do it Brandon.
Salute!!!!
I already was interested in colonial/Napoleonic era style combat and I've been reading a lot on Napoleonic wars, could you do a video on what the spacing conventions are? I read about this half and full interval, spacing or something? Not too sure what that means. Well I would love to see a video on the formations at its entirety from spacing, platoon/companies and stuff like that.
I have diagrams of formations and have general idea and stuff like that, its just mainly the intervals that throw me off. There's this "distance equal to half frontage of a platoon" and what not... I'm rather confused.
this right here is exactly why we have drills. No one cares if you muck up during a practice, thats why its practice. So you make your mistakes in practice so your well practiced to not make those mistakes when the bullets are really flying
I've an idea! If you wish not to march out of step with the company, I suggest you mount a horse. Problem solved, though the mount might set you back a bit.
My guess with the shoulder firelocks and shoulder arms is that it dates from when armies used both spearmen and musketeers. English civil war for example
There is a 1 hour and 16 minutes TH-cam video titled the "Massed Band of the Sea Cadets and Eastern Area Guard - National Trafalgar Day 2012". To see parts missed by one video there is another TH-cam video titled the "Massed Bands of the Sea Cadet Corps - National Trafalgar Parade 2012". Also in 2012 the Sea Cadet Corps carried out an important ceremony at the Tower of London, which is also on TH-cam.
The video about the guard follows the issuing of rifles with fixed bayonets to the cadets, the forming the guard, traversing of command from the chief petty officer (CPO) to the officer guard commanders, the uncasing of the Corps Colours and the colours with escort taking position in the middle of the guard. There is interesting interaction between the different levels of command including the quiet correction or reminding of senior NCOs and officers by lowing ranking adult instructors and at lest one by a cadet to a CPO. There is a good display of rifle drill and officer sword and CPO cutlass parade movements.
As the SCC massed bands play a rear admiral with his flag lieutenant and the Captain of the Sea Cadet Corps (a serving RN captain) correctly inspects the guard - halting to speak to every single cadet. Of the platoons (or divisions) are inspected by naval Commodores or equivalent ranked Royal Marine, Army or RAF officer.
The Rear Admiral takes the salute of the march past and the column of 500 to 600 cadets and adult instructors and staff march from Trafalgar Square through Admiralty Arch down the Mall, past Buckingham Palace and proceeding to the grounds of Wellington Barracks. For a re-enactor you may be interested that the approx. 80 strong massed bands marches at times on a frontage 4 to 8 files. The column behind the bands is mostly in three files and stretches out a long distance down the straight length of the Mall.
2012 was the 12 to 18 year olds were allowed carry rifles in public which resulted in adults replacing two of the cadets in the colour escort party. In 2014 the fixed bayonets were then removed from only two rifles on the parade.
If you are in the UK in October then try going to the Sea Cadets Corps national Trafalgar parade, with various display teams and memorial service for Lord Nelson. There are numerous videos on TH-cam about this event. The SCC parade at Trafalgar Square has been going on for at least 100 years. In 2010 there was in London the Royal Review of the various cadet corps as part of "Cadet 150" as 1860 has been taken as the start date of the military style civilian youth movement.. The parade was from Horse Guards, down the Mall to Wellington Barracks. Latter the cadets were marched from Wellington Barracks into the grounds of Buckingham Palace for a Royal function.
I will be in the country in October, so I will definitely have to look into the Trafalgar parade! Thanks for the info!
I used to reenact civil war, and was at an event in ohio as a private. Somehow, our squad got put behind a barn while the enemy was way over someplace else. Our placement behind a barn lasted for quite a while and the battle was just going on elsewhere. Our sarg sent runners to the colonel to see what was going on, and got the run around. So he yelled "OK BOYS I DON'T CARE HOW YOU DO IT! JUST GET BACK INTO LINE WHEN WE GET TO THE FENCE...FOLLOW ME!!!! We busted ass to the battalion and reformed. Lack of communication on the officers parts I think.
nice video. always interesting to see americans do these revolutionary war reenactments. not something you tend to see too much in the UK.
Napoleonic and English Civil War reenacting is far more common, though there are actually some AWI and American civil war reenactors in the UK.
We do like to concentrate on the ones we won ;)
One does have to keep in mind that during the American Revolution there were many Americans who fought for the British and watching this video I wonder if those who were wearing the green uniforms weren't loyalists. The Loyalists were usually depicted wearing green uniforms and afterwards in Canada, where many Loyalists settled, the Canadians also wore green as well (I think, I could be wrong.) Besides I assume getting guns for reenactments are easier in America than they are in England, even if they are single shot muzzle loaders.
I always wanted to eb a reanactor when I was younger.
This is great to watch
Front Rank Fire
Second Rank Fire
Third Rank Fire
Thanks Brandon
Man, that's so cool though !
Nice video I remember seeing other people do this.Such as my friends they all make very stupid mistakes.
I'll get there soon enough. Thanks!
This made me realize that reenacting for pre-1914 would be hard because it is difficult for me to walk/march that slow.
I usually walk quite quickly as well, but it's something you get used to.
take sleeping pills before?
We do the same thing in JROTC and it's pretty funny when you get anything wrong which I have commanded a few guy and im lucky when I don't miss anything
I saw the video of the friend you mentioned about firelocks
I've been placed in the driver's seat as well and it's not as easy as it looks!
Nice video.just earned a sub
Glad to have you here! Thank you!
and here i am, in my sweatpants, looking at a video with the best dressed guy on the internet.
I hope to see you command in the field one day. With less mistakes of course.
As do I! And may all of my mistakes be done purposefully for historical effect!
I think that those things you mentioned happen to all of us when we get our first chance to lead, at least it happened to me a month ago in Ciudad Rodrigo where I got to lead a company...section...platoon... Let's just leave it in a body of men. I don't' know if this happened to you but when I got my first chance I felt quite observed and judged. It was quite weird hahaha.
And in the Napoleonic wars, they removed the "firelocks" and "arms" difference. You would always refer at the muskets as "arms".
I understand the feeling of being judged, especially because if you're parading the men in the sun too long, or don't change positions often enough and their arms get tired, or are out of step and that messes up people looking to you, it all has a negative effect!
Are familiar with the NWTA organization, I'm with 84 highland royal emigrants regiment, it would be cool if u could come to a reenactment and join us
I am! In fact, I have been to a few joint events where the BAR and NWTA have collaborated.
what nice young clear cut man
what's the correct step rythm? At least in my country we have always done left, left, left-right, left with pretty much the same drum beat.
Why don't you buy a tie
I have three, but I tend to go without unless it's a formal occasion. This is my 'day to day' wear.
Including the cane? :p
No comment.
hey its me logan
+Kaiser Sorry, I'm awful with names. From the event?
I was just wondering, if this is the Revolutionary War, are these commands more or less the same during F&I? (French and Indian war) also, nice video, keep on posting!
Not quite. I'm not familiar with 7 Years drill, but I know that some of the maneuvers and motions were very different to what was practiced in the American War of Independence, where the British army was utilizing the 1764 Manual of Arms.
Arms vs Firelocks. Who knew?
Were you wearing a grenadier's bearskin in the video? You mentioned something about fusiliers wearing bearskins that were shorter than those of the grenadiers and I just noticed that you seemed to be wearing the taller hat.
It is a very tall hat, but the bearskin a grenadier would wear is still slightly taller!
This is why soldiers drill… even in a modern army drill is important to develop a habit of obedience… and drills continue through the practice of Fieldcraft - reaction to effective enemy fire is reduced to a drill so that soldiers have muscle memory of what to do when the enemy starts firing at them… and NCOs and officers practice commanding drills so they don’t have to think about how to execute small unit tactics…
Arms refers to the blade-- from old pike drill
The distances are a real pain . . . especially if you have no depth perception . . . .
How do you get promoted in a reenactment? Why some are chosed as an officer reenactor and some are just a ranker reenacter?
I have little detailed knowledge of the period, so take this with a few grains of salt. But an idea of why it might have been "Shoulder your arms." when bayonets were fixed, but "Shoulder your firearm." when without bayonets, could be because with the bayonet fixed the musket was two weapons or arms (musket and spear due to the bayonet), but with out the bayonet it was just one, a firearm.
Just a thought I had.
i was the same age as you are now...when i was given my first command...led my men straight into a massacre...i witnessed their death firsthand.
I made every mistake, and felt my shame rise in me, but remember from here on in, history has it’s eyes on you
This is why we practice and drill the hell out of the fundamentals when it becomes second nature little errors are far more difficult to make. Reenactment gets off easy though haha
Is one gut of the rifles reg. has a Jaeger rifle?
good to fuss up!
Brandon, have you played Holdfast: Nations at War? You might enjoy it!
naa he should at hoi4
Helps if you point in the same direction as the rest of your squad.
Is there a reason that nobody swings their arms? Not sure about historical accuracy but it makes keeping pace in line a heck of a lot easier when you're marching.
The arm swinging is actually a fairly modern development. In these days, you want to move your arms as little as possible. Generally speaking, the more you look like a toy soldier, the better!
You mean about face (left face and right face)?
Yep, just get out there and screw up and fumble about and then it gets more comfortable!
You know, I was always under the impression that line infantry (or fusiliers) trained to reload and fire their muskets with bayonets fixed. Seems like no one uses their bayonets in reenactments. :o
They did, but certain reenactments will not allow you to fix bayonets for safety reasons. Bit silly I think, but such is the way of things!
I presume you are drilling 'light troops' but I would suggest you and the men would find it easier if they were in elbow contact as per the drill manual. When the troops have mastered close order drill you can then progress to drilling in a looser formsation. Thank you for showing the video and prompting the comments.
No worries even modern day armies, mistakes are always made during drill. Funny on many occasions had my fill in the day. Yet as the old saying goes... practice makes perfect.
How much does a uniform cost?
#1: Did not break ranks properly
#2: Did not give commands from the position of attention prior to moving your lines
(Helpful hint) When giving commands, sound off! Inflection of voice also helps differentiate between command of preparation and command of execution
Other than that not bad for a first time drill
Young Ensign Brandon F........ In his first battle.
We have the same distinction in our Seven Years War drill, albeit 'firelock' turns into 'bayonet' when the bayonet is fixed. I think it's in the 1790's the distinction is changed so it becomes 'arms' universally? Also if you're acting NCO in your period do you not need a bayonet fixed?
I haven't heard of the bayonet-NCO rule, and it's not something that is usually done in the hobby, but I can't rule it out historically. I imagine that the change from "firelock and bayonet" to "firelock and arms" has something to do with the plug bayonet versus the socket bayonet? In the former, the 'firelock' can't actually shoot, so you may as well refer to it what it is at that point, just the bayonet.
Brandon2495 Yeah my guess is it was carried on from previous drill, either out of tradition or as a reminder that bayonets are fixed (possibly?). Some point post-AWI and pre-Napoleonic the sussed out that you don't need the distinction any more. There's a lot of carrying over of old things in British drill, bayonet drill prior to the Norfolk Militia Exercise in 1760 was essentially taken from pikes.
Will the 23rd be taking the field with the crown forces under the good General Howe around the Brandywine Creek in September?
They shall! It is actually the 23rd's "Colour event" where they try to have as large a showing as possible. I'm sorry to say I won't be able to attend, though.
Brandon2495 that really is too bad! I was hoping to bump into you. I'm sure it'll happen eventually
Some time! I will try to post an update whenever I can make it back out to a big American event.
I'm gonna try to join the continental army at fort Laurens
Where would one acquire a musket?
make one yourself?
Great job. My thoughts are that I think you have been a little hard on yourself. very well turned out body of men.
While I may snicker a bit and make my stupid little jokes to protect my fragile ego my inner dork thinks this looks like a lot of fun and want to do it.
Hey Brandon (and anyone else that may know) - would you know any good sources for buying old military uniforms or is it best to make them yourself?
I actually have a video on precisely that topic! th-cam.com/video/s81cZFLe5eY/w-d-xo.html
The quick answer would be, though, that often times uniforms are either made by the individual wearing them or custom commissioned.
Brandon F. Wow thanks for the quick reply man!!!!! And for the info, love your work!
Well, thank you, too! I'm glad to hear you like it!
Where was this reinactment at and who was it hosted by?
Fort Laurens in Bolivar Ohio, hosted by the Northwest Department of the Brigade of the American Revolution.
Brandon why does your gun look so much shorter than the others, is it rifled or something.
It's how I'm carrying the weapon. If you look at the men, they're marching at the 'Shoulder,' where the musket is held by the butt of the stock. I'm marching at the 'advance,' where the musket is held by the right hand (not the left) and gripped around the lock.
it was like me on my first time taking drill at Cadets
Congratulations ensign, fetch the brandy.
Section 1 mad ready , Take aim , Fire . Section 2 mad ready , Take aim , Fire , March... This are the simple command for your group that never get mistakes , slowely we will learn ;)
How did you become interested in the British Army (particularly the 23rd) if I may ask?
My interest began as a young child. When learning about the American War of Independence I was enthralled by the apparent professionalism, discipline, etc. of the British army (who were portrayed as basically being robots) compared with the ragtag, citizen-soldier, 'independently-minded' colonial army (just as much a myth!). While the things I was being taught were far from the reality, it was still enough to inspire an interest in history, particularly British history, and so here I am today! The 23rd was more of a coincidence than anything else. They were a large reenacting group with a proper website and members/events near to my location (I also really liked the look of their uniforms) so I joined with them!
I was! Though, naturally, a replica coin!
we all make mistakes
Thankfully I didn't get anyone killed.
Would you happen to have a source for your drill commands and regulations? I'd love to integrate this into my outfit.
Yes, the "Manual of Arms 1764" which you can find online, contains most commands.