An Author’s Random Musing: Historical Reenactment and NaNoWriMo!

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About the middle of October, I had the great pleasure to go to a historical reenactment near where I live. I knew next to nothing about the War of 1812, which this living history museum commemorates.

From June 1812 to February 1815, the American Army fought against British forces and the Native Americans who allied with them. What is now Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin was the frontier of the time. The Battle of Mississinewa marked the first offensive victory for the Americans. To this day, it is difficult to say who was the victor when peace was negotiated.

Interesting fact I learned: Since camp followers were often casualties, women had to be married to be with their husbands. If their husbands died, they had 30 days to find another husband or leave camp. (Maybe the seed for a novel in the future?)

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As a part of the day, reenactors from around the world demonstrated what a battlefield would have been like. The roar of the cannons made my ears ring (I was standing only a few yards from one of them), and the air smelled like gunpowder. Trained horses rushed across the battlefield. Different battle strategies were displayed.

By the end of the day, I felt overwhelmed with everything I had learned and seen. There were some amazing era costumes worn!

And now it is the beginning of a new month. November! Time to get noveling!

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