The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums
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The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, Inc. have been officially recognized as the reactivated 19th 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 group participates regularly in a variety of events; parades, musters, re-enactments, demonstrations and concerts.

The Field Music

The musicians are attired in the regimental uniform of Col. Charles Webb's 19th 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. For more information about this distinguished unit, please visit our website by clicking on the cannon button

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 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.....

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