A Hero Not Even to Himself - The Sad Narrative of John Robert Shaw Chris the Redcoat 2022-12-04 | There are many accounts from the American Revolution that detail the many privations and traumas of the American soldiers that partook in it - the most famous example being the narrative of Joseph Plum Martin. But few accounts from the British perspective exist, and the ones that we do know of are often quite dry, and don't offer a great deal of insight into how the British redcoats felt about the war, or how it affected them in the long-term. One of the exceptions to this, however, is the narrative of John Robert Shaw, a British soldier of the 33rd Regiment, who partook in several notable battles before being captured and eventually deserting to the American side. This is his story.This video is part of a wider collaboration between myself and eight other Youtubers, in which we explore themes of privation and trauma in warfare throughout military history. Please see the links to their channels, below:youtube.com/@BrandonFyoutube.com/@AtunSheiFilmsyoutube.com/@theministryforhistoryyoutube.com/@TheShogunateyoutube.com/@TheFallofRomeyoutube.com/@TheFarOffStationyoutube.com/@thehighlandsubaltern8139youtube.com/@adventuresinhistoryland5501My Patreon:patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
Revolutionary War Reenactor Reacts to War of Rights 1776 Chris the Redcoat 2025-07-06 | The developers of the niche American Civil War first-person shooter game, "War of Rights," have released a limited time mode that turns the clocks back to 1776. But is it any good? This Revolutionary War reenactor weighs in...patreon.com/c/ChrisTheRedcoat
I Marched Seven Miles from Lexington to Concord! - Battle Road 250th Retrospective Chris the Redcoat 2025-04-28 | Last weekend was the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. As part of the commemoration, I took part in part of a recreation of the British march to Concord and back - approximately 10 miles by the end of the day. This was my experience.
Facial Hair and Shaving in the 18th Century Chris the Redcoat 2024-09-30 | I'm back from an unexplained eight-month hiatus with another video to make everyone mad! Today's hot topic: beards and facial hair in 18th Century reenacting!For further discussion on this topic, check out the links below:youtu.be/NdIcUvu3edY?si=FZpKhw3YTyH5-naNyoutu.be/YUP5IaoG6jo?si=f_d0tJtGPL99bjh4facebook.com/bostongarrison/posts/pfbid092fnNTfEU9sXZWKJSD3DaJd7UYmYQhBENS9hf3fJ6nwVHgrp25GgrSJFHom3Gv6Elkabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2019/08/soldiers-and-facial-hair-in.htmltheroguesretreat.blogspot.com/2024/07/how-common-was-facial-hair-on-anglo.htmlfacebook.com/media/set/?set=a.601645949865361&type=3
British Charge at Bunker Hill - Hudson MA 2022 #history #reenactment #revolutionarywar Chris the Redcoat 2024-06-17 | ...
Covering the Retreat - Battle Road 2024 #history #reenactment #revolutionarywar #british Chris the Redcoat 2024-05-25 | ...
Over the top! - Newville Nov 2023 #history #reenactment #military #ww1 #worldwar1 Chris the Redcoat 2024-03-30 | ...
Rifle Grenade Firing - WW1 Newville Nov 2023 #history #reenactment #ww1 #smle Chris the Redcoat 2024-03-02 | ...
Rainy Rev War Battle - Monmouth 2023 #history #reenactment #americanrevolution Chris the Redcoat 2024-02-24 | ...
Biplane Flyover - WW1 Newville Nov 2022 #history #reenactment #ww1 #biplane #aircraft Chris the Redcoat 2024-02-24 | ...
Lewis Gun Firing - WW1 Newville November 2022 #history #ww1 #reenactment #lewisgun Chris the Redcoat 2024-02-24 | ...
11th Border Regt in Action! - WW1 Newville Nov 2023 #history #reenactment #military #ww1 #worldwar1 Chris the Redcoat 2024-02-18 | ...
Original WW1 Gas Masks -clip from my first WW1 event! #history #ww1 #reenactment #gasmask Chris the Redcoat 2024-02-17 | ...
The Best Regiment in the British Army? - The Pattern w/ Robbie MacNiven Chris the Redcoat 2024-01-20 | A casual chat/book review with historian Robbie MacNiven, author of "The Pattern: The 33rd Regiment in the American Revolution 1770-1783." Also featuring my good friend Colt: the #1 33rd fanboy in America!To check out Robbie's book: barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pattern-robbie-macniven/1142034106patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
The Disturbing Trend of Myth Presented as Fact Chris the Redcoat 2024-01-01 | In a bit of a departure from my usual style of content, I wanted to take a moment to give my thoughts on two film projects which have been on my radar for a while: "Luso: The Series," and "Washington's Armor," and the concerning ways in which they blend the line between history and myth in service of right-wing, Christian nationalist narratives. Yeah, this is gonna be a spicy one.patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
The Battle of Germantown: Thomas Musgraves Finest Hour Chris the Redcoat 2023-07-23 | I don't normally like to talk about battles - I find that it's too easy to get bogged down in the minutia of troop movements, and it's not interesting to read, write about, or listen to. However, there's a particular aspect of The Battle of Germantown - Lt. Colonel Thomas Musgrave's defense of Chew House, - that I actually do find fascinating and I wanted to talk about it. The fact that the 40th features heavily may or may not also be a contributing factor....patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoatko-fi.com/christheredcoat
The British Light Infantry Jacket, 1777 Chris the Redcoat 2023-07-09 | This past year, I made the official YouTube debut of my 40th Regiment of Foot Light Infantry impression. A few people expressed confusion at the appearance of the kit and wanted to know more about it - to which I promised I would be making a dedicated video about it at some point in the near future. Now, over six months later, that video is finally here! Hope you enjoy! :)Jacket image database: http://www.larsdatter.com/18c/mens-jackets.htmlpatreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoatko-fi.com/christheredcoat
Myth vs Reality: Recruitment and Training in the 18th Century British Army Chris the Redcoat 2023-06-24 | Everyone has probably heard the tired stories of the shady practices supposedly used by recruiting parties for the British Army during the mid to late 18th century: from enlisting men taken from prisons, to slipping coins into men's drinks. But is there any truth to these stories? Or is it all nonsense, and if so, where does it come from? In this video, which is part of the "History Matters" collaboration, I hope to answer these questions, and more.Collab Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbGwg11hQxtmYbZNyxHln5NMhZWDhHXs3Enjoy!patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
Improve Your Reenacting Impression INSTANTLY (...almost) - Ft. @HMthRegtofFootndBattLI Chris the Redcoat 2023-05-20 | A lot of reenactors can get very defensive whenever they are faced with suggestions about ways that they can improve the look of their impressions - and it's not hard to understand why. After all, building an impression takes a lot of time and money, so once a kit is "complete," most people balk at the idea of having to spend even more money. So, I asked around for some suggestions of SMALL, inexpensive changes that people can make to their impressions that can improve them in a big way. These are some of the responses that I got. Enjoy!patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoatfacebook.com/40thBloodhounds
RED FLAGS of Reenacting (...and some green ones) - Ft. @HMthRegtofFootndBattLI Chris the Redcoat 2023-05-13 | This past weekend, I went to the Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale, PA with some of my fellow members from the 40th Regiment of Foot, and while I was there, I asked them: "what are some red flags that people should watch out for when looking to join a reenacting group?" Here are some of there responses.patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoatfacebook.com/40thBloodhounds
Tower Park Revolutionary War Reenactment 2023 - Lexington, MA Chris the Redcoat 2023-04-17 | After the heavily-scripted Battle Road reenactment in the morning, the Patriot's Day commemoration continues at Tower Park in Lexington, Massachusetts, about a quarter-mile down the road from the Munroe Tavern. This event loosely represents the arrival of Earl Percy's relief column to support the retreating flank companies on their retreat back to Boston.
Battle Road Reenactment 2023 - Minuteman National Park Chris the Redcoat 2023-04-16 | Every year, Revolutionary War enthusiasts from across the country converge on Minuteman National Park in Lincoln, MA, to commemorate the opening actions of the historic conflict. The recreated battle spans across several miles of preserved trail which runs approximately on the same ground that British and American soldiers fought and died on over two hundred years ago. For many hobbyists, this event marks the start of the reenacting season.Normally, I would be participating in the event alongside the people in this video, but as my unit currently does not have a completed early war impression, I opted to attend as a spectator, instead, and came equipped with my camera to capture some of the action.Enjoy!
Why Didnt the British Army Wear Green? Chris the Redcoat 2022-11-14 | We've all probably heard at least one person say, "Omg, the British were so dumb! Why did they wear red when they could've used green to blend in?"Well, the obvious answer is, "because red dye was cheaper." But there are other reasons, as well.patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
The Ultimate Gettysburg Battlefield Roadtrip! - September, 2022 Chris the Redcoat 2022-10-04 | A few weeks ago, I took a week off to go to Gettysburg, PA with some friends, to tour the battlefield, which I had never seen before. We looked at a lot of monuments, visited a few museums, got tintypes taken of ourselves, and even detoured to South Mountain and Antietam for the 160th anniversary event. Naturally, I documented every step of the way.
How Did Redcoat Regiments Tell Each Other Apart? Chris the Redcoat 2022-09-05 | Everyone knows that during the 18th and 19th centuries, British soldiers wore the famous red coat. But with over a hundred different regiments in the army, how did the different regiments tell each other apart on the battlefield? Well, by using a complicated system of lace loops. What are lace loops? Well, you'll just have to watch the video to find out.patreon.com/ChrisTheRedcoat
Bunker Hill Reenactment - Hudson, MA, July 23rd 2022 Chris the Redcoat 2022-07-24 | This weekend, I attended a reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA. This was a very special event, with over 250 reenactors, pyrotechnics, and a live narration from noted Rev War historian Don Hagist! It was also 96 degrees on this day, so big props to the reenactors for putting on this show.Shot on Canon XF400.
In the Trenches of Newville - WW1 Reenactment, April 2022 Chris the Redcoat 2022-04-12 | Just a good old-fashioned reenactment video from the GWA's annual spring tactical event in Newville, PA. This was my first proper tactical at the site, and suffice it to say it surpassed all expectations. A huge thank you to the men of the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment for putting up with me. Check them out on FB, here: facebook.com/2ndBorderRegiment
What IS a Reenactorism, Anyway? Chris the Redcoat 2022-02-05 | Today, I ask some fellow reenactors to explain a common term in the hobby that people on the outside might not fully understand. Enjoy!Be sure to check out the 40th's YT channel as well for more Bloodhound-centric content!: youtube.com/channel/UCLQNG800B5J6Na_m7E2p9IA
My First World War One Reenactment! - January 1915 Immersion Event: The After-Action Report Chris the Redcoat 2022-01-22 | Earlier this month, on January 7th, 2022, I had the pleasure of attending my very first proper World War One reenactment - after nearly two years of having the impression assembled. Given the nature of the event, I wasn't able to get much actual filming done. But it was still such a special event that I decided it was worth making a video about, anyway. So, I decided to a podcast style talk with one of my friends who was also at the event. Hope you enjoy!
How I Made a Replica Lewis Gun! (And You Can, Too) Chris the Redcoat 2021-10-29 | Today I finally get to share a special project that I've been working on since last year. Enjoy!Want to make one yourself? Check out this tutorial: whitearmor.net/forum/topic/11017-how-to-t-21-blaster-scratch-build
Your Most Common Reenacting Questions... Answered! Chris the Redcoat 2021-08-10 | Today I take a moment to answer some of the questions that I get asked the most frequently about reenacting. Enjoy!
How Historical is the Term The Brown Bess? Chris the Redcoat 2021-07-02 | I'll give you a hint: not very.royalarmouries.org/stories/our-collection/brown-bess-musket-or-mistresshttp://revwar75.com/library/hagist/brownbess.htm
Rev War French Musket Drill! - Ordonnance Du Roi 1776 ft. Le Régiment Bourbonnais Chris the Redcoat 2021-06-20 | This past weekend I teamed up with Ian of Le Régiment Bourbonnais once again, to have him demonstrate some of the basic musket commands used by the French forces during the American War of Independence. I thought this footage would be interesting to share, as there really aren't many other videos already on this platform that discuss this topic at length (or if there are, they're very old and therefore not particularly visible). It's fun to compare this drill with the British 1764 manual and the Continental von Steuben drill. In some ways, this drill appears to be very similar to the von Steuben, but somehow even more streamlined.Enjoy!
Bayonet vs Cartridge Pouch: Which Goes On First? - The Crossbelt Conundrum! Chris the Redcoat 2021-06-14 | There's a long-running debate in the reenacting community about which order a soldier's crossbelts are supposed to be worn. Does the cartridge pouch go on before the bayonet belt, or vice versa? Today, I weigh in with my two cents - for all it's worth. Spoiler: there's really no straightforward answer!
Marching 10 Miles as WW1 Tommies! - Men of Harlech Charity March 2021 Chris the Redcoat 2021-05-24 | Eight months ago, eight World War One British reenactors marched eight miles to raise funds for charity. This past weekend, they did it again! Except this time it was ten miles in two days, with an overnight camping portion with period cooking and rations. All in the name of raising funds for The Overwatch Project - a charity organization dedicated to combating veteran suicide and PTSD.In two months, we were able to surpass our initial goal of $2,000 by over a thousand dollars, brining our total donation amount to over $3000! Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the cause.overwatchproject.org
Everything to Know About: 18th Century Serjeant Sashes Chris the Redcoat 2021-05-15 | Today we'll be taking a closer look at a very special new piece of kit I recently received: my brand new 18th century sprang serjeant's sash. What is sprang, you might ask? Well, you'll just have to watch the video to find out.
Cartridge Pouch vs. Cartridge Box - Whats the Difference? Chris the Redcoat 2021-05-07 | You've probably heard people use the term "cartridge box" to refer to the accoutrement that soldiers in the 18th Century wore over their shoulder - but what if I told you the correct term was actually "cartridge pouch?" Pouch, box... is there a difference? Well, yes, actually! Let's talk about that.
A Few More Points on Bayonets - Blood Grooves and Lugs Chris the Redcoat 2021-04-27 | Welcome back to another installment of "Chris talks about myths that really shouldn't be a thing anymore, yet somehow still are." In today's episode, we talk about "blood grooves" and why they're not a thing. Also, "bayonet lug" or "sight" - which is correct? Watch to the end of the video to find out!
Your Lexington and Concord Memes Suck - Heres Why Chris the Redcoat 2021-04-19 | Here's another spicy one, for you: were the Battles of Lexington and Concord about gun control? Well, yes, but only if you use the word "gun" in its appropriate 18th Century context. Otherwise, well, I have news for you...
Why Is Your Hat Sideways? Chris the Redcoat 2021-03-30 | Some people are fond of saying that the "tricorne" (actually a cocked hat) which I wear is supposed to be worn with the point facing straight ahead, rather than off to the side. They could not be more wrong. Let's talk about the reason why.
Too Clean Chris the Redcoat 2021-03-19 | Back with another topic which I'm sure will not be controversial at all (wink wink nudge nudge).... cleanliness in the 18th Century! How often did soldiers really wash, if they washed at all? More than you might think, as it turns out!
Duties and Responsibilities of Rank in the British Army During the American Revolution Chris the Redcoat 2021-02-26 | Previously on this channel, we have discussed identifying rank in the British Army during the American Revolution. But what do those ranks actually do? In this video, I hope to shed some light on the topic.References used:"A System for the Compleat Interior Management and Economy of a Battalion of Infantry" Bennet Cuthbertson, 1768Hagist, Don N. Noble Volunteers: The British Soldiers Who Fought the American Revolution. Westholme, 2021. Hagist, Don N. “Untangling British Army Ranks.” Journal of the American Revolution, 26 Jan. 2017, allthingsliberty.com/2016/05/untangling-british-army-ranks/. Hagist, Don N., and Eric H. Schnitzer. British Soldiers, American War: Voices of the American Revolution. Westholme, 2014. "The Element of Military Arrangement" John Williamson, 1781"The Military Medley" Thomas Simes, 1767
British Army Winter Uniform (1775-83) Chris the Redcoat 2020-12-22 | Contrary to popular belief, the British Army uniform during the American Revolution does not remain static over the entire course of the war. Today I present an overview of some of the adaptations to the uniform that were introduced over the course of the war during periods of colder weather.
Busting Reenactorisms - The Myth of the Triangular Bayonet Chris the Redcoat 2020-12-18 | Everyone knows that triangular bayonets are "bAnNeD bY tHe GeNeVa CoNvEnTion!" Except... they're not. Let's talk about that.
Identifying Rank in the French Army (1779 Warrant) Chris the Redcoat 2020-10-11 | The British Army of the late 18th Century is anything but consistent when it comes to uniforms, and how those uniforms reflect rank. But how do they stack up against the French uniforms of the same period? In this video, I hope to answer this question with a little help from a special guest - Ian Graves of Le Régiment Bourbonnais.This video is focused specifically on French uniforms under the warrant of 1779, and not the earlier warrant of 1776. French uniforms go through different warrants a lot more frequently than the British, and many French units were slow to adapt to changes (or, in some cases, ignored those changes completely). So this video, while lengthy, is more of a general overview and less of a deep-dive. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!The Bourbonnais' FB page: facebook.com/Le-Régiment-Bourbonnais-146334508798719Ian's tailoring page: facebook.com/RoyalBlueTraders
Scenes from the Men of Harlech Charity March Chris the Redcoat 2020-09-28 | For the past three weeks, we have been promoting the Men of Harlech Charity March - eight men, marching eight miles, in full First World War British kit, to raise funds for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. We surpassed our goal of $1918.11 the other day, and yesterday we fulfilled our obligation and did the march! Thank you to everyone who donated a supported us through this project. We hope you will enjoy this collection of scenes from the march.
Wheres Your English Accent? - A Redcoat Reenactors Second-Most Frequently Asked Question Chris the Redcoat 2020-09-23 | As a follow-up to last week's video, I answer the question of "where's your English accent?"Germans in the British Army: youtu.be/jI8oIQdj6kIFurther reading: brigadeofguards.blogspot.com/2018/12/on-english-accents.html?fbclid=IwAR1Yq2htpZ_sveUCNeHmqU9aejrrI-fsLensuxfdt8VgANxuk9SakXL1bRc
Why British? A Redcoat Reenactors Most Frequently Asked Question Chris the Redcoat 2020-09-15 | Today I answer probably my most frequently asked question as a reenactor - right up there with "are you using live rounds" and "is that a real fire?"
