A recreation of the Guards Grenadier Company composed of soldiers from the 1st, 3rd and Coldstream Regiments of Foot Guards on service in North America from 1776 to 1781. We portray the Grenadier Company of the Brigade of Household Guards as they would have appeared on the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign during the American Rebellion. We seek to honor the men and women of the Unit who fought and suffered during the American War of Independence, nearly two and a half centuries ago. By presenting the American Colony’s military adversaries as the tough, professional, adaptable and effective fighting force they were, we hope our recreated unit impression does honor to both sides in the conflict. British Soldiers were quick on their feet, highly adaptable and were not criminals pulled from prisons to fill the ranks. The soldiers of the British Army of the 18th Century were career professionals who came from all walks of life. British soldiers were not the stereotype from American folklore and Hollywood, but a remarkably professional and adaptable army - the most powerful in the world at the time. Our company also includes people portraying the cadre of camp followers who were an essential part of most armies during the 18th Century. Those people commonly providing critical services to the overall regiment, including cleaning, nursing, mending, and acting as petty sutlers (selling basic needed supplies such as alcohol, soap, and to***co); considered an official part of the Brigade's makeup, these people were paid and always on the roster for being supplied rations and other material support. The American Revolution took place during the culmination of the High Enlightenment period (1730-1780) of the Age of Reason, when the idea of traditional Authority was questioned. This helped lay forth the groundwork that the Common Person could command their own destiny. Rife with contradictions, liberty and freedom were spoken at the same time as men and women were held in bo***ge. It is our objective as historians to not only tell the story of the soldiers and wives that made up the Guards Brigade, but also the story of the 1000’s of slaves that made their way to the British lines to escape bo***ge. God save His Majesty, King George III, and success to the British Arms!
