West Boylston, Mass., June 6–8, 2008

Late in the War for American Independence, area militias and the citizens of West Boylston have heard that a British Force supported by artillery has come South from Canada. There is a fear that this British Force may be after the supplies that are located in West Boylston. New England troops returning home from the Highlands and a few French troops returning from the South have been engaged in reconnaissance missions to ascertain the strength of the British Force. When the British surprise the gathered French and American troops a battle ensues for the supplies needed by both sides.

The Allied Camp (Continental Line and Artillery, Militia, and French) will be located at the Bigelow Tavern. The Crown Camp (British Line and Artillery, Loyalist, and German) will be located at the Town Green between Church and Central Streets. Modern camping—if needed—will be behind the Masonic Hall on Church Street. All sites are grassed and flat.

The town will be providing the typical amenities of wood, water, and hay. Water will be town water through manifold distribution at the Tavern and Green sites. Porta-potties will be set up behind the Tavern and Masonic Hall and will be cleaned at regular intervals throughout the weekend. When the Tavern and Masonic Hall sites are open, there are running water restrooms. At the tactical site located at Camp Woodhaven, there are flush toilets and running water available all day as well as porta-potties. The concession stand at Camp Woodhaven will be open; however, it is recommended that all tactical and battle participants pack a haversack meal similar to the events at Battle Road. There will be limited to no opportunities to return to camp once the tacticals and battle have begun.

All reenactors will be parked at lots within a 2–3 minute walk from the camp sites. At both the Tavern and Green sites, there is temporary parking to close to the camp sites to facilitate off-loading of gear. Due to the rough camping areas available at Camp Woodhaven, all camping will be at the Tavern, Green, or behind the Masonic Hall. The Town will provide a locked lot at the DPW for trailered artillery pieces to facilitate transport on Saturday to the Camp Woodhaven site. Parking for artillery trailers will be available at Camp Woodhaven on Saturday. Once cars are parked, transportation will be provided to and from the battlefield for the reenactors and the public since there are limited to no places to park at Camp Woodhaven.

Once camps are set up starting Friday afternoon, there will be police and security details at both camps. An EMT/Ambulance and fire apparatus will be available at the Camp Woodhaven site in case of an emergency involving either the public or reenactors or in the event that a small grass fire should start from either the musket firing or the artillery.

All firing permits have been drawn by a member of the Crown Forces. Both the Police and Fire Chiefs have attended planning meetings and are well aware of and support the events during the weekend. Battle areas will be roped or taped off for public around the permanent buildings at Camp Woodhaven.

There will be a ham and bean supper provided to all pre-registered participants provided by the Town on Saturday Evening between 4:30 to 6:30. Four seatings will be scheduled for all reenactors and dependants. The organizers and the host groups are working on providing libations to the reenactors at the Tavern prior and after the Fife and Drum concert on the common.

A concert of period fife and drum music will be provided by the Middlesex County Volunteers from 7:00 to roughly 9:00 PM. After the concert, the Tavern will be open for all typical frivolity and entertainment.

Due to the cost of transport, the Town can only afford one day of transportation for the participants and spectators. To make the weekend an interesting event, the Strawberry Banke and Boston Garrison Cup competitions will be held on Sunday. The three main events will be execution of drill, maneuvers, and firing. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 men at arms and one officer or sergeant. Music is not included in the team count, but are encouraged to participate as part of their unit.

For the drill competition, each unit will be judged on the execution of their drill based on their manual. All published elements of your drill will have to be executed—including that of the bayonet, since this is late war. Units will be judged on accuracy of drill, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing.

For the maneuver competition, each unit will be judged on the execution of maneuvers based on their drill. At a minimum, maneuvers will including all facings while standing, wheels, obliques, marching in line and column, passing defiles, and bayonet charges. Units will be judged on accuracy of maneuvers, dress, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing.

For the drill and maneuver competitions, additional or unique elements will add to the score, but will also detract from the score if not executed properly. As usual, bribery of the judges will not be discouraged.

For the firing competition, each unit will be judged on how fast a unit can safely fire five rammed charges. All units will fire with two ranks standing. The first round will be loaded by vocal command with all evolutions executed. Time for the remaining rapid fire rounds will start when the command to fire is given by the commanding officer/sergeant of the unit. Units will be judged on crispness of firing, execution of all elements, discipline, and bearing. Deductions will be awarded for each misfire or dropped round. Units not firing in a safe manner will be disqualified.

The final event is known as "The Last Man Standing". All registered participants, including members not part of a team, are encouraged to participate. This event will determine who is the fastest individual within the BB or CL. Time will begin at 35 seconds and count down by 5 seconds until 25 seconds. Time will count down by one second thereafter until there is a last man standing. Time starts from the firing position and ends when the musket is at the shoulder. If time is called—usually through a whistle blow—before the musket is at the shoulder, that individual is disqualified. When the musket is fired, if there is a misfire, that individual is disqualified. An individual moves to the next round only when the musket has got to the shoulder within the allotted time and has discharged. If the top three individuals are part of a participating competitive unit, then points will be awarded to each unit that the individual is part of.

At the end of the competition, the Strawberry Banke and Boston Garrison Cups will be awarded as well as the prize for "The Last Man Standing".

Complete rules will be forwarded to all unit commanders by early May. If there is a member of your unit that would like to be a judge/referee for the competition, then let Steven or Ellie know.

The Registration site will be at the Bigelow Tavern located at 65 Worcester Street in West Boylston, MA. The directions are fairly straightforward; however, signs guiding participants will be provided to help direct folks to the Tavern.

Take 495 to Exit 25 for I-290 West. Follow I-290 W to Exit 23B / Rt. 140N. Follow Route 140N into West Boylston for approximately 5 miles. At the center of town, bear right at the light, continuing on Rts. 140, 12, 110. Shortly after bearing right, you will see the Bigelow Tavern on your right&mdash:a large red structure.

Take RT 90 to I-290 East. Follow I-290 E to Exit 23B / Rt. 140N. Follow Route 140N into West Boylston for approximately 5 miles. At the center of town, bear right at the light, continuing on Rts. 140, 12, 110. Shortly after bearing right, you will see the Bigelow Tavern on your right&mdash:a large red structure. Pull into the lot.

Take 190 to Exit 5 (W. Boylston/Princeton) to West Boylston. Take Rt 140 South. Follow Rt. 140 South over the bridge following the road left onto Worcester Street (which is still Rt. 140 South). The Bigelow Tavern will be a large red structure on your left.