A Post Such As Portsmouth – Commemorating the 1781 British occupation!
Date: April 9, 2024 By: otba1400@gmail.com Category: Free Event
“A Post Such as Portsmouth” is an immersive, interactive, educational, child-friendly, annual spring event commemorating the 1781 British occupation of Portsmouth by the turncoat Benedict Arnold himself. On Saturday, April 13, Olde Towne Portsmouth will be brimming with reenactors, interpreters, and the like, as Youth Virginia Regiment hosts this one-of-kind event. Even residents and shop owners dress up (and act up!) for the occasion.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Market girls, foragers, redcoats, Hessians, members of the Ethiopian Regiment, musicians, rebels, camp followers, and spies mingle in their daily duties before the Battle of Scott’s Creek (after which you might even spot the Marquis de Lafayette!) Renew your pledge of loyalty to the King with General Benedict Arnold (or join James Fayette in a scheme to kidnap the traitor!). Learn a new dance and gossip about the politics and events of the day.
9 am – Portsmouth Welcome Center – “Occupation”
Formation, Flags Posted, Military Formation, and Council of War
Benedict Arnold gives orders to the Army and then gives a Loyalty Oath to the Civilians
10 am -4 pm – Reenactment Area Open to Public
Red Lion Square (corner of Middle and Glasgow Streets):
18th Century Displays, Music, Dance, Games, Public “Children’s Drill”
Middle Street Mall (beside the Children’s Museum):
See displays of Navigation Equipment & Weapons
Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market/Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (High & Court):
Royal British Marines will conduct “Patrols” throughout the day
4 pm – “Evacuation”
BACKGROUND:
► In 1781, preceding the arrival of General Cornwallis into Portsmouth Virginia, the infamous traitor, now British General, Benedict Arnold, led a British force into Hampton Roads. Occupying Portsmouth as their base, along with Colonel Simcoe’s Queen’s Rangers and Captain Ewald’s Jaegers, the British conducted raids in Hampton Roads, and skirmished with Virginia’s forces including Capt (“Major”) Amos Weeks at Kempe’s Landing and Great Bridge.
General Lafayette led a failed assault on the British post in March 1781, signifying the city’s importance to the beginning and end of the Revolution in Virginia.
As spring approaches, the British await Lord Cornwallis as he and his army campaign in North Carolina.
Photos courtesy of Virginia Youth Regiment
Text courtesy of Portsmouth Department of Museums & Tourism
As spring approaches, the British await Lord Cornwallis as he and his army campaign in North Carolina.
Text courtesy of Portsmouth Department of Museums & Tourism
