Page Created and Maintained by Bob Castillo
In July of 2002, in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001, The Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution invited the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums to their city to participate in the events surrounding their 4th of July celebrations.
The Corps enthusiastically accepted and enjoyed participating at five separate events. Arriving on Tuesday, July 2nd, they performed for the Lights of Liberty Show, a Sound and Light Spectacular in the City of Philadelphia.
Then, on the afternoon of the 3rd of July, a performance was put on at the National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge National Historical Park. On the Fourth of July, The Corps participated in the "Let Freedom Ring - The Nationwide Ringing of Bells" in Washington Park, in the vicinity of the burial place of over 3500 Revolutionary-War Soldiers. This ceremony is performed annually by the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution. Individuals are chosen each year to go into the bell tower at Independance Hall and symbolically "ring" the actual Liberty Bell. (On July 4, 1995, the founder of the Nathan Hale Corps, Mr. John Hetzel, was honored by being one of those chosen to perform this ritual.) At the same instant, (2 p.m.) a replica of the Liberty Bell is sounded 13 times at Washington park, and simultaneously, bells are rung at thousands of locations including The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor ... The National Cathederal in Washington ... The American Flag House ... The Betsy Ross Memorial ... and thousands of churches, synagogues, state capitals, radio stations, carillons, and government institutions including every one of the 316 commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy.
It is very difficult to put into words the feelings experienced while marching in Philadelphia on the first 4th of July after 911. The City of Philadelphia, with it's history and it's heart made a statement to all who would do us harm. Those of us who came and participated will never forget what we experienced on this Independence Day, 2002.
Organized in 1965, The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums of Coventry, Connecticut have been officially recognized by the State of Connecticut as the reactivated 19th Connecticut Regiment of Foote - Continental Line. The Incorporated group consists of four units: The Field Music, Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers, Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery, and the Company of Artificers. Members of the latter units perform with the Field Music a variety of ways from time-to-time. Their commitment to authenticity has resulted in their having won the coveted recognition from the Company of Military Historians. Several of the muskets carried by the Rangers are actual Brown Bess Tower Muskets * not reproductions!
The musicians are attired in the regimental uniform of Col. Charles Webb's 19th Connecticut Regiment
of Foot in which unit Capt Nathan Hale served in 1776. The regimental coat is "snuff" brown wool with white facings. The waistcoat and britches are a buff-colored linen. A black leather stock (for protecting the throat against saber slashes) with a white ruffled shirt, white knit stockings, military cocked hat, hand-cast pewter buttons and shoe buckles complete the uniform. Carried before the field music by the Color Guard are their colors: the Cambridge flag of 1776, the flag of the Connecticut Colony (like the present CT. flag but on a RED field, the gold regimental colors of Col. Webb's regiment, and the corps own colors derived from the Hale family coat-of-arms.
Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers are armed with flintlock muskets typical for the period. This group represents the infantry of the revolutionary period. The unit patterns itself after what is known of the original unit formed by Lt. Col. Thomas Knowlton of Ashford, Connecticut in 1776, under a commission from Gen. George Washington, to provide a force for probing attacks, scouting, and espionage. Capt. Nathan Hale was on a volunteer mission of espionage from this unit when he was captured and executed in New York, at the age of 21.. All of the arms,clothing, and accoutrements are of the design of the period.
Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery wear uniforms patterned after the original unit which saw service from 1776 and 1781, this artillery battery participates in all corps events.
The smaller cannon, often used in parades, was cast from a mold made from an actual cannon hauled out from Lake George. It should be noted that Capt. Buckland was later taken prisoner and died on the infamous prison ship, JERSEY.
The Company of Artificers has as it's model, the unit formed by Gen. Knox for the maintenance of equipment. This unit is composed of people who are preserving 18th-century crafts. Appropriately dressed interpreters demonstrate activities such as flint-knapping, pewter casting, candle dipping, spinning, cooking, the art of the apothecary and weaving on looms (depending upon availability of the crafts-people).
Together, this organization has performed all over the northeast, as far west as Michigan, Valley Forge & Philadelphia, PA, south to Williamsburg, VA; and has traveled across the Atlantic to Ireland, and north to Old Sturbridge Village, Lexington & Concord, Bunker Hill, , Bennington, Vt., Saratoga Battlefield, and Quebec, Canada. Performances range from parades and musters to specialized groupings, to complete 18th Century encampments.
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The group participates regularly in a variety of events; parades, musters, re-enactments, demonstrations and concerts.
If you would like to join this exciting corps, Click Here!
Nathan Hale is also trying to locate the many, many former members who may be lurking out there in cyberspace. If you were ever a member of any of our units, please provide as much of the information requested below as possible.
When were you in the corps?:
Which Unit were you in?
MUSICK!
RANGERS!
ARTILLERY!
ARTIFICER!
COLOR GUARD!
What do you think of this website?
It's Great!
It Stinks!
Ho Hum!
Do you think you might like to re-join us in our ongoing adventure(s)?
NO!
It Sounds Like it might be fun!
YES!
Thanks for your input
Bob Castillo
MUSIC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. This wonderful CD is available online at the Liberty Bell Museum, Gift Shop While you are there, make sure to look over the rest of this very unique store.
Last Update: February 27, 2012
The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums
Home Pages
Photograph taken at National Memorial Arch,
Valley Forge, PA. On July 3, 2002
Photo by Jeff Mobed
This was followed by putting on the opening ceremonies that evening at the Phillies vs. NY Mets baseball game.
The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums were further honored by the City of Philadelphia by being chosen to be the leading musical unit in their 4th of July Parade.
Where and When to See the Corps Performing 2012
to view latest schedule of appearances
ABOUT THE NATHAN HALE ANCIENT FIFES AND DRUMS
WHO we are and WHAT we do.
The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, Inc. have been officially recognized as the reactivated 19th Connecticut Regiment of Foot - Continental Line. Organized in 1965, the group now is comprised of four units: The Field Music (Better known as The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums), Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers, Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery, and The Company of Artificers. Their commitment to authenticity has resulted in their having won the coveted recognition from the Company of Military Historians.
The Field Music
The musicians are attired in the regimental uniform of Col. Charles Webb's 19th Connecticut Regiment
of Foot in which unit Capt Nathan Hale served in 1776. The regimental coat is "snuff" brown wool with white facings. The waistcoat and britches are a buff-colored linen. A black leather stock (for protecting the throat against saber slashes) with a white ruffled shirt, white knit stockings, military cocked hat, hand-cast pewter buttons and shoe buckles complete the uniform. Carried before the field music by the Color Guard are their
colors: the Cambridge flag of 1776, the flag of the Connecticut Colony (like the present CT. flag but on a RED field, the gold regimental colors of Col. Webb's regiment, and the corps own colors derived from the Hale family coat-of-arms.
Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers
Armed with flintlock muskets typical for the period, this group represents the infantry of the revolutionary period. The unit patterns itself after what is known of the original unit formed by Lt. Col. Thomas Knowlton of Ashford, Connecticut in 1776, under a commission from Gen. George Washington, to provide a force for probing attacks, scouting, and espionage. Capt. Nathan Hale was on a volunteer mission of espionage from this unit when he was captured and executed in New York. All of the arms,clothing, and accoutrements are of the design of the period.
Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery
Patterned after the original unit which saw service from 1776 and 1781, this artillery battery participates in all corps events. It members wear the uniforms designed from those of the original company.
The smaller cannon, often used in parades, was cast from a mold made from an actual cannon hauled out from Lake George. It should be noted that Capt. Buckland was later taken prisoner and died on the infamous prison ship, JERSEY.
The Company of Artificers
This group has as it's model, the unit formed by Gen. Knox for the maintenance of equipment. This unit is composed of people who are preserving 18th-century CRAFTS. Appropriately dressed interpreters demonstrate activities such as flint-knapping, pewter casting, candle dipping, spinning, cooking, the art of the apothecary and weaving on looms (depending upon availability of the crafts-people).
If a member of the musick, what instrument(s)?:
Drop a note telling us a little about your life after Nathan:
If you have an interest in joining us, arranging for an appearance at your event, or simply desire more information, feel free to write to: Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes And Drums, P.O.Box 776, Coventry, Ct. 06238.....
or... Contact Bob Castillo by e mail