Hello Friends,

Individuals from various D.A.R., S.A.R., and C.A.R. chapters began arriving around 9:00 with their wreaths of remembrance. Two pictures are still in my mind’s eye today; one is of the men, women, and children standing to sing our national anthem. While most were dressed in modern clothes, others were attired in colonial costumes. This visual game me pause as to how we are honoring and remembering those who came before us to settle this great country of ours; because of them, we are here.

Later in the program, the Musgrove Mill Militia carefully loaded and shot their rifles, but in the midst of their line was one reenactor dressed as a member of the British Legion. There was no mistaking his green jacket amidst the men wearing their hunting coats and every day colonial clothes. This would never have happened during the American Revolution, but it reminded me of some words of George Washington that he wrote in a letter to James Madison in 1788. Our first President said, “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” Our country is a product of the sowing of the seeds of Liberty.
 

 Robert Hall, a descendent of Elsie Bratton, knows all about his lineage and told me some stories about the Bratton family after the Revolutionary War. There is no doubt that he knows his family’s history and has continued to tell its story through reenactments.


 Two sisters of the reenactors of the Musgrove Mill Militia & Co. safely spent the night on Friday. There were no distubances to their sleep, but they did say that several pairs of eyes greeted them. (You might want to check out this militia group’s Facebook site.)

 During the eighteenth century, hot weather was ignored when their was work to do. This blacksmith and his helper never stopped during the day, but explained the process to all who stopped by.

 This is a picture of Tony Zeiss, the author of Backcountry Fury. Dressed in early nineteenth century clothes, he was visiting on the porch with Bob Swager. Tony shared an entertaining and informative monologue of the life of Thomas Young, one of the young men who fought at the Musgrove Mill battle and the protagonist of his book.

 Here is Tony Scotti, the reenactor dressed as a member of the British Legion. Just in case you are interested, Tony’s musket is a 54 caliber smooth bore. (This was the same British Legion that fought with Captain Christian Huck at the Battle of Huck’s Defeat.)

 The reenactor, Fitzpatrick Williamson, was dressed as one of the Overmountain Men. He and Chris Swager, author of numerous Revolutionary War books catch up. (Chris’ books are available through Sandlapper Publishing.) She is an expert on the Southern Campaign in South Carolina. 

John had the opportunity to cut many silhouettes of the children visiting the site, and the typical summer humidity of our state didn’t mar the day. We came away with a renewed resolve to continue telling the stories of the fearless and courageous men and women who lived and fought in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. We were glad to be part of this day of celebration at Musgrove Mill.

Martha Washington said, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”
 
That was good advice then, as well as now!

On Friday, August 5, our friends and family joined us at 7:00 for the book launch of Fearless Martha, A Daughter of the American Revolution. Children and their grandparents kindly listened to my words of introduction to the biography on the life of Martha Bratton. I read the chapter, “Fearless Martha” and answered a few questions. Thank you for your love and support; John and I appreciate your allowing us to be part of your lives!

As guests entered the Visitor’s Center, they were greeted by Michael. He answered many questions, including mine. John and I were seated at a table right next to his desk.

On Sunday, we gathered at the stage area for worship. The Reverend Donald A. Lowery read from the Old Testament and then shared from a sermon that was preached two weeks after the Battle of Waxhaws. He led the congregation in singing from the Psalter and encouraged everyone to remember the freedom we have came at a cost from men, women, and children that chose liberty two hundred years ago. It was moving to look over and see those in colonial dress seated by others in modern clothes sitting on half log benches; it brought Reverend Lowery’s words to life. Hats were doffed by all the men for the prayers.

On Sunday afternoon visitors enjoyed the entertaining and stirring monologue presented by Howard Burnham.  In costume and using the words of long ago, he became General Thomas Sumter. He shared the General’s biography and ended his presentation with ” in South Carolina, there will always be a fighting gamecock.”

As we walked to the Battle of Huck’s Defeat Reenactment, we were greeted by violin music. Drawing the crowds closer to the battlefield was a musician playing eighteenth century music. The soloist took us back to a simpler, but a harder way of life. I was glad of the modern technology that enhanced the tunes.

Here are some of the reenactors that helped us all picture the reality of those days and encouraged us to two days of remembrance. I was quite excited that my fictionalized biography, Fearless Martha, A Daughter of the American Revolution, had its debut in Historic Brattonsville. Martha Bratton was a woman who stood tall, along with her family and many others, to make sure the British did not stay in Carolina in 1780.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July celebrations this week. We visited the King’s Mountain Military National Military Park for a few hours, and there were many families walking the trails, watching the movie, and exploring the museum and bookstore. We are blessed in South Carolina to have many state and national parks to visit.

During this week of the Fourth, another Revolutionary War author, Suzanne Adair, asked several authors to write on her blog about different aspects of the Revolutionary War. I thought you might be interested in visiting the site to read our discussions. suzanneadair.typepad.com/blog/2011/04/index.html –

On the early evening of July 4, one of the HBO stations rebroadcast the last episode of the phenomenal PBS series about the life of John Adams. As soon as it was over, the Capitol Fourth, sponsored for the thirty-first year by PBS, began with stars and music to celebrate America’s birthday. If you missed this, you can catch most of the music at http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/ It is a hand-clapping concert that is over much too quickly, and the fireworks were spectacular over the Washington monuments.

Happy birthday, America!

Hello Friends,

During the weekend of July 9-10, I want to invite you to Historic Brattonsville. My second book, Fearless Martha, A Daughter of the American Revolution, is going to make its debut during this yearly festival. My husband John, the illustrator for both my books, and I will be there from 10:00 – 4:00 on both Saturday and Sunday for a book signing.

Here is the information about the event from their web site.

Battle reenactment at 2 p.m.

See how soldiers and civilians survived the Revolutionary War in the Carolina backcountry. Historic music performances, firearms demonstrations, talks by noted experts, and camp life will be shown throughout the day. Younger visitors can explore the Children’s Encampment area and experience historic toys and games, take part in military drills and explore a Revolutionary War camp.
Cost $8 adult; $6 senior; $4 youth ages 4-17. Children 3 and younger, free. CHM member discount, $2.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 9 
 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, July 10

As you can see, it will be a lot of fun, and there will be something for all ages to enjoy. I look forward to seeing you there!

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John and I will be in the Lowcountry in the middle of the month. On Friday, July 22, I have been invited by the Mt. Pleasant Barnes and Noble to participate in their monthly American Girl program. We are going to wear our colonial costumes and look forward to showing you what a mother might wear to church and what a traveling artist might wear during the Revolutionary War.

Here is the information from their web site.

American Girl with Visiting Author