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Some Thoughts On Scouts And Spies by Gerry Barker
Sometime around 1757, during the French and Indian War here in the North America, Major Robert Rogers wrote a set of guidelines for his Rangers to follow when out on a scout in enemy territory. These “Rules of Ranging” as they came to be known were a set of common sense combat tactics that he learned through personal experience and which served to keep him and his men alive during this war. His rules are still alive and well today and in use by our present day American Warriors who operate in small groups behind enemy lines, gathering information in much the same way as was done in the 18th century. Gerry Barker is one of those Warriors and has written this excellent book outlining the methods and tactics used when out on a scout in enemy territory. And what, you might ask, gives Gerry Barker the expertise to write this book? To answer that question would take the better part of a separate book itself! Twenty-one years service in the Special Forces is a good beginning. Of those years, seven were spent living among and working with the Montagnard hill tribesmen in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. His assignment was to gather information about enemy activities and movements and to relay that information to Army Intelligence in Saigon. It was during these years that he was able to observe first hand how these “primitive” hill tribesmen moved silently through the jungle without getting caught. Sergeant Barker lived by the “Rules of Ranging” making them an integral part of his daily life. The very fact that he is alive today is the best endorsement these rules could ever have. This book is a compilation of the Rules of Ranging along with an abundance of tactics that Sergeant Barker learned and employed through his years serving our Country in foreign lands. And while he didn’t initially intend this to be a field manual that is exactly how it reads and can be used. His style of writing is clear, concise, and easy to follow. My guess is that you will want to read it more than once and will include it among the gear you take on your own excursions afield. Today, Mr. Barker lives in a remote location of Kentucky on a farm that is operated as an 18th century self-sufficient frontier farm. He is also a Living History re-enactor and can be found at several events during the year working with his team of four oxen, demonstrating how these gentle giants were used to pull wagons, till the earth, and, occasionally pull (modern) vehicles out of muddy fields. Mr. Barker also writes articles on a wide range of topics for several Living History publications and conducts seminars and classes on these same topics. One quote from the book: “Were you to become a competent scout you must divorce yourself from all thought of comfort and safety and think fear….think alone….and think silent.” MB-001 $15.00 |
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| The Ferguson Rifle: Could Have Changed the American Revolution by Tim Jarvisr
A concise description and history of the rifle and its inventor, this 117-page book tells the story of one of the little-known innovations in the development of the breechloader rifle. Whoever thinks of a breech loading flintlock rifle? And yet, there it was, in the hands of a small company of British riflemen lead by Captain Patrick Ferguson. In 1776 while in England, Captain Ferguson demonstrated his improved rifle at the Royal Military Academy by shooting and hitting a target 200 yards distant at a rate of four times a minute. When word was spread about this amazing feat, he was summoned to demonstrate his rifle for King George III. While King George may have been impressed with the speed and accuracy of this innovative rifle, the War Office thought otherwise: the Ferguson cost four times as much as the Brown Bess to produce and it took the best gun makers six months to make 100 of these rifles while in the same time, they could produce 3,000 Brown Bess muskets. In 1777 Ferguson was given a small company of 100 men and sent to New York to serve under General Howe in the hunt for George Washington and his rebel force. In the only known engagement where the Ferguson Rifle was used, the Battle of Brandywine Creek, the men and their rifles were very effective. Fortunately for Washington, Captain Ferguson was wounded and sent back to England to recuperate. He did not return until 1780 and by this time his old company had been disbanded and his innovative rifles put into storage. He returned to America as a major and was given a new command in the southern campaign under General Cornwallis. His rifles, however, were not re-issued to this new command. On October 7, 1780, at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina, Major Patrick Ferguson was killed and his innovative rifle fell into relative obscurity. To this day, only two of the original 200 Ferguson Rifles made are known to exist. Mr. Jarvis has one of the few reproduction Ferguson Rifles made and gives the reader a good account of how it is loaded and fired. This book provides the reader with a great amount of detail in a concise format. The Appendices at the end of the book provide even more good information. One unanswered question in the book: What happened to those other 198 Ferguson Rifles that were put into storage following the battle at Brandywine Creek? The British won that battle, forcing Washington to flee Philadelphia in September 1777. The rifles were considered expensive and too complicated for the regular troops to use. Could it be they were packed away in some forgotten warehouse in Philadelphia….where they await re-discovery? MB-002 $15.00 |
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Maggie Delaney the life of an indentured servant
This is the first DVD we are offering to you, our customers, and is without a doubt, the finest presentation we have ever encountered on the subject of Indenture in the American Colonies. Why learn about this form of slavery? Well, it could just be that somewhere in your family’s genealogy there lies a record of indenture because during the colonization of North America, it is recorded that 75 to 80% of all immigrants came to America as indentured servants! Carole Jarboe portrays Maggie Delaney in this moving presentation recorded before a live audience during a “first person” Living History portrayal at Fort Boonesborough State Park, Kentucky. The tale that Maggie tells begins in her native Ireland where she was married and began raising a family. Having suffered a financial crisis, indenture seemed like a good way for the family to come to America and begin to build a better life. Little did any of them realize this decision would literally tear their family apart. Maggie’s latest owner is a man called Parson John (in real life, Carol’s husband, Frank) and during her story telling he can be heard from time to time sternly admonishing her to keep to the point of her tale. While Maggie Delaney is not a real person from history, she is a compilation of many indentured servants Carol discovered in her research. Today there is much information available concerning African American slavery in America but very little about indentured servitude. The fact that thousands of white Europeans came to these shores under circumstances little different from slavery has not been as well told. The heart-wrenching tale of Maggie Delaney goes far in opening our eyes to this sad chapter in our country’s history. And yet, while there are moments of pain in Maggie’s 60-minute story, there are far more illustrations of strength and courage that inspire us and reveal with clarity that our ancestors were ever so resilient and resourceful. It is because of these experiences and traits that our forebears built a country where Freedom and Independence and Liberty meant far more than mere words. This DVD is an excellent teaching aid for American History classes unafraid of looking at a side of our history seldom seen. For Living History re-enactors, this is an excellent example of a first-person presentation. For all Americans, this story is a significant element of why we are who we are. MB-011 $20.00 |
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| Building the Southern Banded Horn by Cathy and Scott Sibley
This book is a companion to the first book this couple wrote entitled “Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn.” In this book the novice horn builder is taken step-by-step through the process of crafting one of the signature powder horns of the old South where it became known as a regional standard. Why or how this style came about is anyone’s guess. The Sibley’s make it clear in the very beginning that in order to make this type of horn according to their method, the builder will need (or have access to) a wood lathe. All the tools necessary for building this type of horn are listed in the first chapter of the book. The instructions are very clear and well written and the photos are simply excellent. If you have the desire to make this style of powder horn, then this is the book for you. Scott and Cathy take you through each step of the way in a clear and concise way so that you can be assured of finishing the project with a horn you will be proud to use and display. The book is divided into two parts with the first half devoted to the construction of the banded horn. The second half is devoted entirely to wonderful full color photographs of three different collections of Southern Banded Horns to serve as both historical record and creative inspiration. Even if you don’t have the desire to build one of these unique powder horns, if you are a fan of all things flintlock related , you will enjoy adding this book to your library.
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Drive the Snakes by The Tenants
This is the first CD by Jake and Autumn Book with Jake Moyle and Ellie Book. These young folks bring a collection of six old and new Irish songs to enliven any drive to your Living History encampment. The spirited style of this group is refreshing and all the musical accompaniment is that of traditional acoustical instruments. The only drawback to this fine collection is that it is just too short! We hope to see and hear more of this young group of musicians – and when we do, we’ll be sure to bring that work to you as well.
1. Black and Tans |
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| Lowlands of Holland by Paul and Kim Caudell
In this eclectic collection of songs – both historic period and contemporary – Paul and Kim have recorded some of their favorite songs. We hope that, like us, you too will count them among your favorites. The album opens with a song written by the Caudell’s entitled Can’t Raise The Dead and is the story so often told during the War Between the States. Paul and Kim live, work and record in the Nashville area and their songs often reflect the sad lessons we learned as a Nation during this heartbreaking period of our history. Of the 14 songs included on this album, the Caudell’s wrote four while the remainder are period pieces. Paul and Kim can be heard performing at a number of Living History events throughout the South and Midwest. We are very pleased to be able to bring their music to you. MB-031 $15.00
1. Can’t Raise The Dead |
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| Barbara and Dennis Duffy
...are two musician/singers of long renown in the Living History world. We are most pleased to bring their three CDs to our customers and share with you their talent and their unique renditions of traditional Colonial music. As will be shown, each of their CDs are quite different, offering these two musicians and their friends the opportunity of displaying various musical instruments and styles of music. Barbara taught music for more than 20 years and currently writes a musical column for the historical publication On The Trail. Both Dennis and Barbara appear at several Living History events during the year performing traditional music and hosting seminars and classes about historical musical instruments. |
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The Red Horse Inn Revisited Songs of 18th Century America
Dennis and Barbara Duffy along with Dave Wall, Dave O’Dell, Jan Pierce and Ellie Smith. This is the first album the group recorded and is a compilation of well-known and not-so-well-known traditional songs of the 18th century including one written by none other than Benjamin Franklin (The King’s Own Regulars, 1775). Nineteen songs in all have been included on this CD and are sure to put you in the proper mood for thinking all things 18th century! The title of this CD comes from the Red Horse Inn located in Sudbury, Massachusetts, once owned by one of Dave Wall’s ancestors. The songs contained herein surely would feel right at home returning to this historic tavern. MB-021 $15.00
1 Atholl Brose / Bottom of the Punch Bowl |
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| Out of the Ordinary With Loose Company Historic music of 18th Century America Once again, Dennis and Barbara Duffy have the pleasure of playing historic music with a number number of friends including Dave Wall, Dave O’Dell, Jan Pierce, Tom Verdot, Mike Nichols, and Emily Wall. Dennis and Barbara refer to their friends as “Loose Company” because they are never quite sure who will be playing along with them. This CD is all instrumental and goes a long way in soothing jangled nerves or setting the tone for a quiet evening of reading. Barbara’s skill on both the harp and the hammered dulcimer are complimented by the citern, bodhran, guitar,recorder, violin and cello played by the rest of the group on this most unique album. We feel certain you will enjoy this second album produced by the Duffy’s. MB-022 $15.00
1. Soldier’s Return |
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Among Good Company Music for a Convivial Gathering Instrumental and vocal selections from the 1700’s and early 1800’s Keeping the theme of producing wonderful traditional music with friends, Dennis and Barbara have included Dave O’Dell, Carroll Ross, Dave Wall and Jan Pierce on this, their third CD. And as the title for this album states, we are Among Good Company as these friends provide a wide variety of historic melodies including Spanish Fandangos seldom heard in the context of American colonization music. This CD is sure to broaden your knowledge of traditional music and will certainly become a favorite within your collection. The 16 original songs will lull your modern cares away in a pleasant reverie. MB-023 $15.00
1. The Flower Among Them All |
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