There have been comments made about blowing the scenario, scrïpt, or any number of designations.  Let me tell you about the one blown this weekend.  It was a pre-Creek Indian war event  and I have just brought my swollen self in from it.  The Red Stick Creek Indian contingent was in place and were in the process of being attacked by the Mississippi Territorial Militia.  It was at that point those good militia lads encountered not one, but two and possibly a third, yellow jacket nests that took extreme umbrage at their presence.  Yes, the scrïpt was blown.  The Mississippi Territorial Militia broke and bolted into the spectators.  The Indians, seeing what was happening to the opposing force, departed the field in the opposite direction of the air assault.  And speaking of the field, the yellow jackets were left in sole possession of the field.  After it was all over and done with, three were hospitalized and several departed the event.  One poor soul had those things go up his pants legs and ended up being stung in excess of 30 times on each leg.  All of us managed to get souvenirs of the occasion that were most unappreciated.  

--Last edited by Curtis Makamson on 2007-08-27 18:47:00 --

Wow Curtis, that really stinks.  If only the real guys could've called time out when encountering bees!  Hope you aren't allergic.

That must have made for interesting spectating..

I recall back at 3rd Winchester event in 1999, we were fighting along a cow path and some of the unit in front of us step in a couple of bee's nests.  As we advanced we found them quite riled up and one found his way under my belt and coat and zapped me good in the back.  Others thought I was "taking a hit" and afterwards told me how real it looked.  

The regimental history of the 118th PVI (Corn Exchange Regiment) has a good tale of the regiment being routed by ground bees on the drill field while they were still in their initial stages of training, which wasn't all that much as they were soon to learn on the shores of the Potomac.  

I wish I had known about this in time to have attended (sans yellow jackets) -- my gggggrandfather from Amite Co. marched under Jackson in response to the attack.  If its an annual event, I'll mark my calendar for next year!

Jennifer, Ft Mims is an annual event.

i hear its a bad season for them. we were sitting outside at a boat race the other day and my 6yo was stung by one. the next day he couldnt even open his eye!

Miss Elodie,

Feel free to contact me directly about participation at Fort Mims. As a CW period reenactor, much of the requisite clothing for lower class early 19th century Alabama settlers is hanging in your closet---you just currently think of it as underpinnings.  

A few simple upgrades and a weekend of dedicated sewing will fit you up nicely for both this event and for the Battle of New Orleans, which takes place annually on the  original site at Chalmette, about 6 miles below the city.  Meeting Andrew Jackson in person is quite an honor.