SW0144 Young Soldier Recruit Details SemWar Living History Appeal

In the 1830s, the US Army actively recruited young people from ages 16 up to 23 or so as privates to fill its ranks. In time, the duty that service entailed led to assignment in Florida. It was a miserable duty, where there was a war raging between the US government and the Seminole Indians. Soldiers barely able to shave became the instrument to fight the Seminole and remove them to the Oklahoma territory. 

Jump ahead two centuries, one will still find the sky-blue uniforms of those soldiers at living history events, but they are mostly filled out with old timers to the community. Although the regular Army had older troops back in the day, they weren't really this old. 

Now, as a means to infuse some young blood into this history hobby and to more accurately represent the youthful ages of the troops from that period, the informal company of Seminole War reenactors is actively recruit new members. Those who would like to explore these possibilities should contact Ross Lamoreaux  rlamoreaux@tampabayhistorycenter.org with Dade Battlefield Society, or Bill Gruber with the Dade park Bill.Gruber@dep.state.fl.us .

One new member with the history bug is Ethan Parks. He is a junior at South Sumter County High School in Bushnell, Fla. He joins us this week to discuss the ins and outs of getting outfitted and trained up in this specialized martial hobby. He tells us everything one needs to know about suiting up and moving out on the march as part of the spectacle that re-enacts for the public the military conflict between soldiers and Seminole. 

 

 

Ethan Parks with his sky-blue 1830s soldier uniform and kit. Below, Ethan donned his modern US Navy JROTC uniform and carried the US Flag in the color guard at the annual commemoration of the Dade Battle of Dec. 28, 1935 in Bushnell, Fla.   

 

 

Above and below, Jesse (aka "Archie") Marshall takes recruits under his wing to prepare them for soldier life. Here, he gives the troops a much deserved rest after drilling in General Winfield Scott's infantry tactics. He then orders them into a line march. Mentors such as Jesse Marshall, Matt Milnes, and George Webb, among many, many others take the time to help recruits get outfitted, often by loaning their own extra accoutrements.  

 

Amber Lamoreaux, president of the Dade Battlefield Society, and Bill Gruber, park manager at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, are two key players who help young historical hobbyists enter the soldier living history community. 

 

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Fla. 

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