Revolutionary War Muster Day Brings History to Life

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – “Kids need this.”

Anthony Procko, a 12 year old Hudson Valley resident with a fiery passion for history, affirmed this to his mother and school when successfully advocating for a history club at his Westchester County elementary school. That love for all things history was ignited when Procko attended Peekskill’s “Day in the Life of a Soldier” reenactment event, sparking his membership in the 5th New York 15th Regiment of Foot Mott’s Artillery. Clad in Revolutionary War time period attire: A red and green coat, matching green vest, tan pants, and black boots and hat, along with a long brown rifle by his side, the poised Procko was one of several people taking part in Saturday’s Revolutionary War Muster Day on the Beacon grounds of Mount Gulian Historic Site.

“I really like the reenactment part of history, dressing up like a soldier, learning how to shoot and just all the hands-on part of it,” said Procko, who was initiated into the reenactment world at age eight during Covid. “I just really feel like I’m part of the time period.”

Guests at the Annual Mount Gulian Revolutionary War event were treated to that same special feeling, as the 5th New York Unit (joined by Lambs Artillery Company) filled its grounds with both American and British soldiers, along with artillery, including a loud, authentic cannon, from the time period as well as soldier tent stations resembling those used in the 19th Century. On an idyllic, crystal blue-skied, fall foliage laden day, both American and British soldiers invaded the Riverside Lawn, reenacting an actual battle, providing mesmerized spectators with a “real feel” for the land dimensions (circa a football field), visuals, sounds and smells of combat, as Joe Ryan provided “play-by-play” narration.

“This is the way battles were done, in a choreographed manner,” Ryan remarked as the battle ensued. “Every man counted and likely grew up together in the regiments, so when one went down, they all felt it; the whole idea was to load and fire, load and fire, making sure to set off three shots per minute.”

It’s a scenario whose allure is potent for those involved.

“I have always been a history buff, seeing reenactments at Fort Montgomery, and it was the fire cannons that really got me into it,” explained John Mirabella, who has been a member of the 5th for the past four years. “I saw these reenactments since I was really young, and could load a musket at around seven years old, and decided to get back to it later as an adult, especially with all of the technology distractions; it’s something I really want to see keep going.”

Mount Gulian is doing all they can to ensure the reenactment resurgence continues its momentum, especially with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing approaching next year. It’s multi-faceted Muster Day included; both musket and canon firing demonstrations, fife and drummers, the skirmish reenactment, flag presentation as well as Barn lecture, “The Road to Revolution: The Creation of an American Identity.” Here, Professor Robert Johnson, from the Culinary Institute of America, relayed an informative talk, covering such topics as; the Stamp Act, First Continental Congress and the Committee of Correspondence as well as delivering intriguing tidbits on historic icons: Thomas Paine and John Adams.

“If you can resist something, you can be a part of a powerful wave,” Johnson told the large, attentive crowd about the colonists’ banding together. “The colonists were living during all of this (lead up to Revolutionary War) and really seeing it as something becoming more and more effective.”

It’s that very energy that has kept the historic passion and reenactment fires lit for 45 year 5th New York Regiment of Foot Mott’s Artillery member, Douglas MacKinnon, going.

“Forty-five years is a long time to be fighting an eight year war,” joked MacKinnon following the skirmish segment. “I just really love getting out of my house, getting all dressed up, and let’s face it (about the cannon): When you put the flame to powder, and it goes off instantly, that’s just such a real thrill.”