RE-ENACTMENT

One of CrotonDunstable High School's committed history teachers who regularly takes part in historical re-enactments of the 1812 War between the UK and the United States kindly set up a re-enactment for us and the American students. This war lasted till the beginning of 1815 and was fought because of multiple reasons. Britain introduced restrictions to impede the American trade with France, with which Britain was at war. Furthermore, Britain tried to forcefully recruit seaman on U.S. vessels into the Royal Navy and British miliary supported Native Americans, who tried to resist the expansion of the American frontier. 

We were told about the uniforms and other details, for example that long hair was out of fashion because it was considered aristocratic but was required as part of the uniforms. So hats were partially equipped with a wig in form of a plait (Zopf). Muskets were flint rock muskets, conon balls did not explode, as it is often incorrectly shown in historical films and  Hessian soldier were hired by the British to fight overseas. Often soldiers fought in teams, namely one armed with a musket and one with a pike, a bayonet. The wedge tent was supposed to room 6 soldiers with only one blanket for all. Cutlasses (Entersäbel) were solely used on ships.