Yorktown, 1781 (and 2012)

When I stop and think, really think, about the thirteen colonies that defied the greatest military power in the world at that time, and were victorious, I am overwhelmed.

Several years after the decisive victory at Yorktown, the Founding Fathers drew up the Constitution of the United States. The kids learned the Preamble last year, and sang it while General Washington held it out for them to see.

The Yorktown Encampment promised a great deal of excitement for us. Bearing a musket was just one of many thrills for the kids.

And not just the kids, either. Grandma wanted in on the musket action. As soon as she took up this weapon, the crowd cleared out.

And if you ask me, it looks like she's having a little too much fun with this gun.

The gentleman behind the fence finally had to take it away. She gave it up willingly enough. He was bigger than she, after all.

We were also able to witness the artillery crew fire a cannon. I took a video of that, and hopefully will be able to post it. It was loud.

We left the artillery area and made our way to the medical presentation. The young man there told us about some of the medicines and procedures they used back then for illnesses as well as wounds.

I just want to say, I'm very grateful for 21st century medicine. And pain-killers.

At one point, the "soldier" asked for a helper from those who were gathered around. Christian stood up to look at Mike and tell him to go up there, and the young man giving the presentation said,"All right! Come on over here!" Christian looked shocked, but he went over to the table with a grin on his face.

The young man told Christian that it was his (Christian's) job to be the surgeon. He (himself) had a musketball lodged in his person (his fist) and he needed Christian to get it out using the tools before him.

First Christian had to locate the ball, and then he had to try to grab onto it with the metal utensils.

He almost had it. Then it slipped out of the tong thingies.

Finally!

Then he told Christian he needed to do it again, but this time he couldn't use the tools.

Christian had to use his fingers!

He was laughing hysterically. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking medical school is not in his future.

He located the musketball quickly, and pulled it out fast too.

Young Revolutionary Soldier asked Christian which way was faster, and which way would he use next time. Christian replied that using his fingers was faster, but that he would use the surgical instruments next time.

Then the young man asked Christian if he had washed his hands before he operated on him. More laughing. Of course he had not washed his hands! So, even though the musketball was out, the soldier would likely die from an infection.

We had a good time at this presentation, and were thoroughly grossed out as well. The soldiers died more from illness and infection (like, in the mouth from a rotten tooth) than on the battlefield. In all seriousness, it is humbling and horrifying and sad to think about all that any of them went through, on either side.

We moved on from that area to look through the rest of the encampment. There was an officer's tent, with a uniform, writing materials, a map, dinner paraphernalia, a cot, and a desk. It really is hard to imagine life without all of the luxuries we take for granted. (Toilets?! Electricity?! Pens?! Toothpaste?!)

We gained insights into the Continental Army's days as we noted not only the obvious war-related objects, but also things like the games they may have played, and how they were cared for by women who washed laundry and cooked for them.

Games, laundry, cooking...some things don't change much over the years, do they? Stay tuned for a visit to the farm next...