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News - Gananoque Remember the Raid 2012

The Gananoque event was another hot and steamy weekend.

Gananoque's 'Remember the Raid' weekend commemorated the American Forsyth Raid where 70 US Riflemen attacked Gananoque in September 1812. Forsyth's main encounter was with a ragged group of 60 local militia who quickly took flight when the more experienced US troops charged. Saturday's battle reenactment involved a roughly realistic number of troops and lasted probably about as long as our poor Canadian Militia did during the actual encounter. Despite a 20 minute march and over an hour waiting on a steamy street, the battle at the waterfront was perhaps the shortest battle in LFD history. It was all over before our Drum Major had a chance to say "At the ordinary".

In the evening a small group of the Canadian Fencible Fife and Drums marched with the Canadian Fencible Infantry to the battle grounds. We then played a few tunes at the Harbour Front before marching at double time to the ice cream shop. Compliments of Drummer Lindsey we feasted on some of the finest tasting ice cream this side of the Italian peninsula. With impeccable timing we arrived back at the waterfront just in time to lead our red coated brothers back to camp.

Sunday's battle was a glorious affair and was conducted over Gananoque's main bridge and along the town's streets. The Fife and Drums of the Canadian Fencibles played in the thick of battle driving the American Riflemen out of town.

As an aside, Martin the Glengarry Fencible and beer afficionado presided over the first official "Grog-off". Two fine homebrewed stouts, McGrog (by McGraw) and Grigrog (By Grigor the elder), faced off. After much deliberation I am happy to report that Martin selected Grigrog as the winner! I must say that the McGrog was a tasty brew and I offer McGraw congratulations and better luck at the next Grog-off.

Our Corps was well fed throughout the weekend. We were treated to breakfast, compliments of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92, on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, and a delightful dinner in the park provided by the Ladies of Grace United Church on Saturday evening. Many thanks to the kind volunteers for their generosity.

God save the King!