The Department of the Geographer
Army of the United States 1777-1783
A Military Living History Unit of the Brigade of the American Revolution
We had the pleasure of visiting the Tioga Point Museum in Athens, PA this summer for a very special program they offered free to the public. If you ever have the opportunity, please go! Museum's around the country rely on "us" the public to help support their foundations. It's important to let them know and to hear from us. If you aren't a member of your local historical societies and museums. Join! They put on rewarding programs throughout the year and you are not throwing your money away. You are helping to keep history alive!
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We attended a Living History Exhibition "the Mappers of the Revolutionary War. It was excellent and we enjoyed it very much.
In 1777, Scottish engineer Robert Erskine was appointed "Geographer and Surveyor of the Roads" to serve on Washington's headquarters staff. For the remainder of the war, over a dozen men in the Main and Southern Departments created approximately 300 maps of strategic and tactical importance.
Founded in 2005, The Department of the Geographer has members in three regional "survey parties" (based in the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and Virginia & Carolinas) and participates in battle reenactments and living history events throughout those regions and beyond.
The unit strives to achieve a high level of authenticity in the 18th century technical skills, military discipline, and material culture (Clothing, foods, camp, etc.) Typical events combine actual field surveys and exercises with in-camp talks with the public to create an educational experience for all involved.
Living History Impressions Include: Military Officers & Civilians: Surveyor, Draughtsman; Military Enlisted: Guard, Chain Bearer, Waiter
You can learn more at: www.ArmyGeographer.org
In 1777, Scottish engineer Robert Erskine was appointed "Geographer and Surveyor of the Roads" to serve on Washington's headquarters staff. For the remainder of the war, over a dozen men in the Main and Southern Departments created approximately 300 maps of strategic and tactical importance.
Founded in 2005, The Department of the Geographer has members in three regional "survey parties" (based in the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and Virginia & Carolinas) and participates in battle reenactments and living history events throughout those regions and beyond.
The unit strives to achieve a high level of authenticity in the 18th century technical skills, military discipline, and material culture (Clothing, foods, camp, etc.) Typical events combine actual field surveys and exercises with in-camp talks with the public to create an educational experience for all involved.
Living History Impressions Include: Military Officers & Civilians: Surveyor, Draughtsman; Military Enlisted: Guard, Chain Bearer, Waiter
You can learn more at: www.ArmyGeographer.org
A few things I didn't know:
* I never knew or heard about the Department of the Geographer, before this program.
* These men would be sent out ahead of the troops to quickly map the area, in this way strategic plans could be drawn up by the officers.
* Maps could be drawn up in the field using cartography and surveying tools.
* During the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, one member of the survey party was killed by enemy forces.
* I never knew or heard about the Department of the Geographer, before this program.
* These men would be sent out ahead of the troops to quickly map the area, in this way strategic plans could be drawn up by the officers.
* Maps could be drawn up in the field using cartography and surveying tools.
* During the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, one member of the survey party was killed by enemy forces.
Photos I took at the program. I wish I knew the names of the various tools, I'm sorry that I don't. The men in this unit were well informed and very professional and very friendly!
During the Revolutionary War, some wives and families moved with the troops and followed their husbands. At times there were many women and children marching with the troops. Yes, there were extra mouths to feed, but the women did a lot of the cooking, mending and laundry! They tended to the sick and dying. Many would not have survived by staying at home, if they had a home. It must have been grueling for them. The lovely lady in this photo gave an excellent talk on how she would have washed clothes for the troops and it started every morning with the children collecting all the urine in the fort! Yes, urine after setting for a certain number of days, it broke down to a basic Ammonia. There was so much to the laundry back then, it was really fascinating!
Mary Ellen & Ron Kunst August 2106