Coren's Independent Artillery

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

Check out this rare surviving wax seal from 1782!

Why use a wax seal? It assured the recipient of a letter’s authorship and security.

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington used so much red sealing wax that he regularly ordered it by the pound. This example comes from a July 20, 1782, letter to Washington's friend Elizabeth Powel. Its design features the Washington family crest, including what Washington called a “flying griffin.”

Because seals were often split or cut from letters, surviving examples are rare.

08/17/2026

REENACTORISM: FIRE IN THE HOLE!
No one ever said such a thing when firing a gun in the 18th century, it's not in any of the manuals or first hand accounts. The term is most likely 19th century and comes from blasting and mining, when a hole was drilled into rock and explosives are placed in it. But people think is sounds cool! It was probably in some movie or TV show. - Frank

07/04/2026

Coren's Independent Artillery wishes Happy Anniversary to the greatest nation, The United States of America. God Bless us All.

06/25/2026

Great article on the infamous Henry Cooke

From the United States’ bicentennial to this year’s 250th anniversary, historical costumer and Tufts alum Henry Cooke has been remaking the clothing of 18th-century America

06/23/2026