Rogers' Return at Fort 4 is usually one of my favorite events: it is relaxing because we don't have any battles to deal with; the weather is nice and crisp; the fall colors are usually wonderful, and good people always show up. Last year's Pickpockets, Rogues, and Highwaymen coincided with Rogers' Return, but I missed it last year. I heard it was great fun, so I was looking forward to this year.

Autumn colors and the Connecticut River, viewed beside the wall at the Fort at No. 4, October 31, 2004. Photo courtesy of Dave DeManbey.

The colors certainly didn't disappoint. This might have been the best year for fall colors that I have seen so far. Unfortunately, I arrived too late on Friday to enjoy the event, which runs specially from 4:30-8:00pm, basically as part of Halloween celebrations. I heard very few people were there that night anyway, and as we were camping in the upper meadow all by ourselves, it seemed as though it would be a very quiet weekend. We sat around the campfire with a full moon lighting everything, and turned in early as the temperature dropped quickly.

Saturday's weather didn't help, as we woke up to a drizzle that continued on and off throughout the day, but we were lucky most of the time. During an early break in the rain, Wade made an excellent breakfast of bacon and pancakes, using the antique (18thC) cast iron griddle I got from a blanket sale at the Jacobsburg Rifle Frolic this past summer. (The copperware you see hanging is (left) a large cooking pot/water pot and (right) a coffee pot, both made by my favorite coppersmith, Tom Brown (of Westminster Forge.)

Not long after 1:00, during another one of the breaks in the weather, I and my fellow Rangers—Alec Asten, Wade Stoner, Bob Neely, Dave DeManbey, and Wallace McMillan (aka Kristin McMillan Lunak), along with Carol Hoyem as a captured Indian woman—got into our canoes and went upriver to wait for the signal to row to shore starving, in desperate straights, and in Dave's case badly wounded from our return from the raid on St. Francis. A small crowd had gathered so when the signal musket was fired, we were rescued by a good sized bunch of settlers as well as modern spectators.

Dave promptly began putting on a tremendous performance of pain and anguish from a leg wound, and did it so well that he was hauled up the embankment, through the Sally Port, to the far end of the fort, and into Hastings House where teh doctor was waiting for him. The doctor was brilliant in cutting off his leg quickly and efficiently, with minimal loss of blood. Dave was brave as long as possible, but passed out when the doctor cauterized the stump of his lower leg using a red-hot poker that had been heating in the fireplace. The crowd loved it.

We had the afternoon free to ourselves and when we were done with the return, we hustled back to the fire where hot corn chowder was waiting for us, along with lots of good dipping bread. That's an excellent meal on a cold autumn day. We spent the afternoon chatting with friends (one reason I like this weekend!), viewing the fort, canoeing on the river, and just relaxing. Mac had to leave early. Then at 4:30, we were called up to perform and encore, but Dave refused to be injured this time.

After our second return, the Pickpockets, Rogues, and Highwaymen events began. We watched a bit and took part in various dealings. The sun set quite early so we wandered amongst the lanterns in the courtyard, and the fires in the houses, and it was a great site. Someone had cut a fantastic jack-o-lantern, a really big one, and put it in Farnsworth House. A couple of ladies and I moved it so it was looking out the window, brightly lit. This event was mostly staged for families with kids. I believe it was not as well-done as last year, because many of the real "characters" we used to see where not there. Sadly, the Fort has fallen into disfavor with a large number of reenactors for some political reason we disagree with; our unit has made a point of continuing to support the Fort because we don't believe we can thumb our noses at such a great place to reenact. There are so few places like the Fort at No. 4!

Bob Neely cooked up a great lamb stew, Wade had to leave for home (after some apple pie), Alec read ghost stories, to us, and the weather drizzling again.

Richard Wright working at the blacksmiths shop at the Fort at No. 4.

Sunday morning was rather dismal because most of the people who were there Saturday were only there for Pickpockets, Rogues, and Highwaymen, and so were going home early or had already left. On the other hand, the day was clear and breezy and so we knew we would get lucky with our canvas tents drying out. I passed the time chatting with Richard Wright, who was working in the smithy at the Fort. Richard is a professional blacksmith and is making his own blacksmith shop, and so was working on door hinges for his new shop.

We debated whether to stay for our scheduled 1:30 "return", but some visitors did indeed come to the Fort and we felt it right to complete what we said we would do. With a diminished crew (only four of us left), and a tiny group of spectators, we returned once again, then hustled home.

I sincerely hope the fort picks up this coming year, as I look forward to another relaxing event at the end of October next year.

And now, for something completely different (if you haven't read this already): please read Dave DeManbey's (very funny) stories from Fort 4: Portraits in Time.