Overmountain Victory Trail This Thursday Through Sunday!

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History looking back with Ned Jilton

Overmountain Victory Trail This Thursday Through Sunday!

Published Wednesday, September 23 2009 - (0) Comments

On October 7, 1780 a group of men from current day N. E. Tennessee and S.W. Virginia, know as the Overmountain men changed the course of the American Revolution with a victory at the battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.

Every year their march, the route they took and their gathering at Sycamore Shoals on September 25, 1780 is remembered with the Overmountain Victory Trail which will pass through our area this week.

The Overmountain Victory Trail will host an exciting educational event that will take place on Thurs., Sept. 24 from 10am to 2pm at the Bluff City Middle School. The purpose of this event is to educate and promote the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail - specifically the story of the Overmountain men who led the military campaign and defeated Ferguson's army at the Battle of King's Mountain during the Revolutionary War.

Participants will include Bluff City Middle School students and teachers, Mary Hughes Middle School students and teachers, parents, volunteers, city officials, sponsors, OVTA, NPS, county officials, demonstrators, story-tellers and media.

On Friday, September 25, The Overmountain Victory Trail Crossing will recreate the September 25, 1780 gathered at Sycamore Shoals on their march to victory at King's Mountain. Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association have recreated this historic journey since 1975, following the same route and timetable as their legendary forebears. Marchers will cross the Watauga River at the Sycamore Shoals, as the frontiersmen would have done 229 years ago. Approximate time of crossing the river is 12:30 – 1:30 pm.

On Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, join the Overmountain Victory Trail Celebration as a host of frontiersmen gather at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga. Their mission is to form an army and launch an attack against a British-led force that had threatened their lands and homes. Re-enactors in period clothing will be on hand throughout the weekend to share stories of the excitement and danger of that tumultuous time.

MILITIA MUSTER SCHEDULE FORT WATAUGA: SEPTEMBER 26 – 27, 2009

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th

10:00 – Militia Inspection & Raising the Colors - Witness the Washington County Militia fall in for inspection of arms. Hear the roar of muskets and rifles as the flag is hoisted for the day.

11:00 – Kids Militia - Attention! Boys and girls needed to come to the fort and join the County Kids Militia! Meet Captain Bogart in the fort and learn how to march and drill just like the soldiers in the militia.

12:00 – Baking in the Bread Oven - Join Miss Ramona at the Talbot House for a look at the art of baking on the colonial frontier. See the bread oven in action.

1:00 – Guilford Courthouse Fifes & Drums - Come to the fort and hear the signature sound of 18th century America. You don't have to be a music lover or a history buff to enjoy the unique and distinctive sounds of a fife and drum corps. Let the Guilford Courthouse Fifes and Drums stir your patriotism!

2:00 – Organizing the Patrol - On September 26th 1780, over 800 backwoods militiamen departed from Sycamore Shoals in search of British Colonel Patrick Ferguson and his loyalist army. Those drafted to stay behind were faced with the difficult task of protecting the settlements from attack by hostile Indians and Tories. Come be a part of this dangerous time as those left behind make plans to patrol the area and, if need be, defend hearth and home.

3:00 – Foods on the Campaign Trail - Join Mr. Reece as he explains and displays the types of victuals carried by the Overmountain militia on the campaign trail. Learn about making jerky, parched corn, and other portable provisions.

3:30 – Guilford Courthouse Fifes & Drums - Enjoy another delightful set of revolutionary tunes performed by the Guilford Courthouse Fifes and Drums.

4:30 – Camps Close to the Public - Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of life on the colonial frontier!

Saturday Night at Fort Watauga Lanternlight Tours at 8:00, 8:20, 8:40, 9:00 (by reservation only) Take part in the story of Sycamore Shoals… Join us for an interactive adventure tour of Fort Watauga and the surrounding forest, set in the dark and uncertain years of the Revolutionary War. Reenactors in period clothing will portray a variety of characters, from fighters and hunters to spies and thieves. Space is limited on each tour, so you must have a reservation to attend! All ages are welcome to participate. To sign up for a tour, call the park at (423) 543-5808.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th.

10:00 – Militia Inspection & Raising the Colors - Witness the Washington County Militia fall in for inspection of arms, and hear the roar of muskets and rifles as the flag is hoisted for the day.

11:00 – Worship Service - Feel free to join the militia for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga. In the event of inclement weather services will be held inside the Talbot House.

1:00 – Foods on the Campaign Trail - Join Mr. Reece as he explains and displays the types of victuals carried by the Overmountain militia on the campaign trail. Learn about making jerky, parched corn, and other portable provisions.

2:00 – Organizing the Patrol - On September 26th 1780, over 800 backwoods militiamen departed from Sycamore Shoals in search of British Colonel Patrick Ferguson and his loyalist army. Those drafted to stay behind were faced with the difficult task of protecting the settlements from attack by hostile Indians and Tories. Come be a part of this dangerous time as those left behind make plans to patrol the area and, if need be, defend hearth and home.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR BOTH DAYS INCLUDE: Open Hearth Cooking – Flintlock Musket & Rifle Demonstrations – Children's Recruiting Station – Militia Drill-Colonial Music – 18th Century Camp Life.

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