PARTICIPATION Participation in "The Taking of the Presidio" is open to all interested individuals who portray any Texas militia unit or Mexican regulars. Artillery will not be needed for this event, but some lancers and mounted Texan militia are welcomed. Participants carrying weapons must be of 16 years or older and those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Units, which attend together, will preserve their unit identity and personal command structure. They will however be subordinate to the organizer. All participants will be responsible for their own powder and ammunition during the event. This will not be supplied by the organizer!

 

REGISTRATION FEE All participants will be assessed a $10 Registration fee. This will cover the cost of one evening meal, fire wood, port-a-johns, hay (if practical) and postage connected to the event. This fee is non-refundable. Registration fees and forms must be sent to the address listed below on the registration form. The cut-off date for Registration is October 1, 2007. All money and forms must be in before this time in order for you to participate. Final event information will be mailed (snail or E) by October 7.

 

MEALS Due to the fact that this event is still in its infancy, there will be only one meal provided by the organizers during the course of the event. In the spirit of keeping loyal to the events purpose, Taking of the Presidio will be considered a campaign event and participants should come prepared to feed themselves accordingly. The soldiers that took part in this campaign in 1835 would have been on the move and unable to have large supply wagons of food. Therefore, it is recommended that each unit be responsible for obtaining and cooking their own meals during the weekend.

 

QUARTERS The Mexican garrison will be quartered inside the presidio for the entirety of the event. Soldados will be able to set up tents inside the walls in designated areas or sleep in the barracks, depending on your commanding officers wishes. No soldados will be allowed to quarter outside of the presidio and staying on site is recommended, but is not a requirement to attend. Texan militia will be quartered in the field to the east of the presidio. Texans are advised to bring tents of the period and set up appropriate camps. Once again, staying on site is advised, but is not a requirement to attend. No vehicles will be allowed in either camp after sunrise Saturday morning. Thanks!!

 

SAFETY INSPECTIONS All black powder firing weapons must be inspected before use. If they are found defective and cannot be repaired then they may not and will not be used. Company commanders will perform the inspections, but may be subject to inspection by organizer. Company Muster Roll and Inspection Forms will be due each morning at officer’s call. Flintlock system long arms should have a hammerstall and flash guard where appropriate (military style weapons). Pistols need only a hammerstall. After firing all weapons should be cleaned prior to evening meals. Hot water and rags, as well as gun oil, will not be provided but would be recommended in cleaning your weapon.

 

PHYSICAL IMPRESSIONS The setting of the event is Texas 1835. Many of the militia units that were involved in the Texas Revolution were from the United States. The Refugio Militia and other units were primarily Irish and had emigrated directly from Ireland. First person impressions should reflect the person’s life, this includes dress. Example: A blacksmith would be wearing a work shirt and possibly a mechanic’s cap, not a civilian frock coat and top hat, etc. The Mexican garrison should reflect the impression of a regular army soldier during the fall campaign of 1835. If you are a beginner and want to try us out but don't have a large amount of cash a simple solution would be any woolen period trouser with a woolen or jean overshirt. These were very popular in the time period we are portraying. Period shoes and headgear are required for the event. If you have questions please do not hesitate to ask!

The following are a few recommendations: 

 Those portraying Mexican Infantry should have:

• Blue winter service jacket for infantry

• Blue winter service trousers (white is acceptable)

• Issue shirt

• Leather stock (optional)

• Woolen or other period stockings.

• Military brogans

• Cartridge box on white buff sling with plate

• White baldric with bayonet scabbard and plate

• 100 rounds blank ammunition

• Brown Bess or Charleville Flintlock musket with bayonet

• Extra flints and cleaning rags

• Issue or period blanket(s)

• Shako or barracks cap

• Knapsack and or footlocker 

 

 Those portraying Militia or Volunteer Infantry should have:

• Roundabouts, overshirts, hunting frocks or frock and tailcoats circa 1835

• Vests, if wearing frock or tail coats circa 1835

• Shirt 1835

• Stock, or cravat

• Woolen fall front or fly front trousers. CW style is marginally okay. Can be more acceptable if covered by an overshirt. Jean cloth is also okay.

• Woolen or other period stockings

• Military or civilian style brogans or boots.

• Surplus black or white belts of 1812 era vintage

• Cartridge boxes or belly boxes on either white or black belt.

• Bayonet and scabbard on belt if using a military musket.

• Musket or rifle

• 40 rounds blank ammunition

• Extra flints and cleaning rags

• Period blanket(s)

• Period great coat or blanket coat

• Knapsack, bedroll or foot locker

• Civilian slouch hat or mechanics cap 

 

Those portraying Militia or Mexican Mounted Service should have:

• Same as infantry eliminating rifles, muskets, and bayonets.

• Period 1835 tack

• Horse with current Coggins test

• Sword and belt, War of 1812 era is acceptable

• Horse pistols in saddle holsters

• Tent Remember these are guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact me for further details.

 

FAMILIES Families are always encouraged to participate, but women and children will not participate in the scenarios that the men will be involved in during the weekend. Women and children are encouraged to create their own scenarios and a site will be designated for civilians.

 

WEATHER October in South Texas can either be warm, cold, raining or a combination of all of these. Last year it rained almost the entire event. The biggest thing is to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature can throw at us and realize that if it can rain, it will!

 

QUESTIONS If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my self or any of the other contact men listed below. Jim Lauderdale (512)461-9597, David Vickers (361)364-2011, Charlie Lara (830)751-3150, and Wade Marcum (956)421-3614.