When the Christmas Parade kicks off on Talbot Street Saturday morning Santa and Mrs. Claus will be accompanied by more than reindeer. There will be infantry. Lots of infantry.
For the first time this year, two historic militia units dedicated to telling the story of the War of 1812 in Maryland, will be marching together in the St. Michael’s Parade. Both the Chesapeake Independent Blues and the Fort McHenry Guard will be representing the militias who once protected St. Michaels from British attacks, helping it become “The Town that Fooled the British”.
The Chesapeake Independent Blues were formed in 2012 as part of State of Maryland grant given to five counties, including Talbot, to create living history representation of the Maryland citizen-soldiers who served during the War of 1812. The focus of the organization is on public education, and the group refers to its volunteer members as interpreters rather than re-enactors. The unit’s first program was held in Queenstown in April of 2013, says one of the group’s founders, Mark Dubin. Since then, the group has provided ceremonial and living history programs at public and private schools across the State, at national and state parks, and private historical sites as far south as Louisiana and as far west as Ohio.
Maryland suffered deeply during the War of 1812. The State itself saw more action and devastation than many other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The British blockaded the Bay in the Spring of 1813 and then systematically destroyed towns, vessels, warehouses and homes throughout the region. Local militias, like the Blues, were essential to helping communities fend off British attacks.
“St. Michaels was one of the few communities to successfully fight off the British,” said Dubin, a Maryland Park Service Historic Weapons Safety Officer.
On Saturday, 17 members of the Chesapeake Independent Blues along with the Fort McHenry Guard from Baltimore, will provide a glimpse into that past and perhaps a chance to give a silent thanks to those who fought to protect this town so many years ago. Dressed in historically accurate military uniforms with reproduction smoothbore muskets and other common military items, the militia will be accompanied by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corpsa 6-pounder field artillery piece, and, a brand new flag.
The large silk “Colour” the Blues will be carrying for the first time is a hand-painted reproduction of an original Maryland Militia flag from the War with an emblem that harkens back to its historical roots. Emblazed across the top of the flag is the original Latin phrase “Non Sibi Sed Patriae” which translates as “Not for Self but Country”. As patriotic a statement as the men who carried it over 200 hundred years ago.
“We based the reproduction on a printed image first published on the War in 1868,” said Dubin. “It’s probably the first time anyone has seen this Maryland flag in nearly 150 years, since the whereabouts of the original is now unknown.”
From the flag to the infantry, there will be several firsts when the Christmas in St. Michaels parade kicks off at 10:30 am. on Talbot Street, Saturday, Dec. 9th. Don’t miss the Home Tour immediately following the parade. Tickets are required. For more information about these events and many others, please visit christmasinstmichaels.org. Proceeds from all Christmas in St. Michael’s events go to support local non-profits providing important services to residents.
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