By Garrett Swader
As many of the blog readers might already know, I am a lover of early colonial history. I have, for most of my life, been interested in the Discovery Age through the French and Indian Wars time period in the Americas. The coming together and clashing of distant cultures and how the world was shaped by this momentous, and at times messy, period of history. Through this interest in history I have discovered a new hobby that I quite enjoy: historical re-enacting.
Background
In 2023 I attended the History festival in St. Augustine, Florida. Founded in 1565 St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in the contiguous United States. When Phillip II of Spain learned that French Huguenots, led by Jean Ribault, had established Fort Caroline in modern day Jacksonville, the crown dispatched Pedro Menendez to rid La Florida of Protestants and to finally found a Spanish settlement and establish a presence in the region. While in pursuit of the Spanish the French were shipwrecked by a hurricane at an inlet south of the city now called Matanzas, Spanish for massacre. Most of the French Huguenots were killed at the inlet giving the inlet its name.
After its founding, pirate attacks on St. Augustine were not uncommon, starting with the most famous, Drake’s raid in 1586. It began after his ships spotted a watchtower on the way to the ill-fated Roanoke colony up the coast of North America. Drake looted and burned the town after his campaign of privateering in the Caribbean. The St. Augustine History festival is capped off with a recreation of this event. The next big event is Robert Searle’s sack of the town in 1668. This event was important because this pirate raid would help justify and kick start approval for the Stone fort project that would eventually be the Castillo de San Marcos.
Starting Out on the Reenacting Path
The Searle’s Raid reenactment is held every year on the first Saturday in March. After attending Drake’s raid in May, I immediately wanted to try reenacting. I contacted the event organizers and was able to have a discussion with them on what to expect. They offered to allow me to borrow some clothing for my first time, but instead I decided to buy the bare minimum of a sailor outfit.
I drove down on the Thursday before the event and was able to help set up the encampment at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. I would be sleeping in a tent all weekend. These are basic A frame tents just made of canvas. Aside from the peacocks on some nights it was pretty enjoyable.
Friday at Searle’s Raid Reenactment
Early Friday was spent setting up a few more things and getting the camp ready to function as a military camp. I walked downtown Friday afternoon to see the Trinidad Nao, a replica of Magellan’s ship that circumnavigated the globe. After that we started to practice the roles we would play in the upcoming battle. I was designated a Pikeman as I was new and it is generally a beginner-friendly position.
We drilled a few times and marched around the camp. Learning all of the commands was a lot to take in. “Order your pike” is standing with the butt of the pike on the ground on the outside of your right foot. “Advance your pike” is the method that you use to make yourself and your pike ready for action essentially, at the end you should have your right hand under the butt and the pike resting on your shoulder. “Port your pike” is 45* up from the ground. “Charge your pike” is putting your pike parallel to the ground and pointing the business end of it at the enemy. There are a few commands that get called out for marching as well but I will not bore you with that. Maneuvering in a block formation in an open field is also harder than it looks!
Saturday at Searle’s Raid Reenacting
Period-appropriate food was served basically all day Saturday and the camp was open to the public for a few hours before the event. It was fun getting to talk to visitors about the history behind the event. For the event we first marched down St. George street (the primary tourist street in St. Augustine). I was pressed into duty on the English side to fight against my Spanish brothers.
As Pikemen our job was to secure street crossings during the march so the artillery could safely cross. Defending against cavalry charges is one thing, but a pickup truck is a whole new ballgame! The group fired artillery and muskets at my Spanish brothers in front of the redoubt near the old city gates. The small pike block did some maneuvers and drills in front of the Spanish as well.
At the end of the day we intimidated the Spanish into relinquishing the town and the plunder. Afterward the partying began with period singing, rum and period games into the night. The next morning I was on my way back home and eager to come back for more events whenever I could.
How to Participate in Searle’s Raid
I think this is something that I will look forward to for years to come. if you think you would enjoy doing something like this and you are able to make it down for an event and participate. Anyone can contact James Paul, our overall commander, by E-mail at jamespaul685@yahoo.com.