By Andrew Danielson
The Old Fort in downtown Fort Wayne was the scene of bustling activity as reenactors from the Midwest came for training and mentoring in the art and skill of historical reenacting.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, men and women of the War of 1812 reenactment community gathered at the Old Fort on 1201 Spy Run Ave. for the 1812 Officer & NCO Garrison event. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., these reenactors learned how to lead a military unit from the War of 1812, as well as how to guide other historical interpreters in military drills and practices from the period.
“This is an annual opportunity for the reenacting community here to knock off the rust of the off season,” Cory Balkenbusch explained. “There’s not a whole lot of reenacting over winter time.”
Balkenbusch is a reenactor currently living in Ohio. He’s no stranger to the historical recreation community. As a child, Balkenbusch and his mother, Jennifer Balkenbusch, attended many events at the Old Fort. A board member of the Old Fort noticed their interest and eventually asked Balkenbusch if he’d like to join them and do reenacting himself, an opportunity Balkenbusch snapped up immediately at the young age of 12.
“I’ve always loved history,” Balkenbusch said with a laugh. “My mother always brought me out to reenactments here as a kid.”
Balkenbusch’s enthusiasm for reenacting and his commitment to helping others get into the hobby was shared amongst the attendees of the event.
John Davis, who lives just outside of Marion, Indiana, is a veteran with many years’ experience in historical depictions. He leads a reenacting unit called Davis’ Company, Indiana Territorial Rangers.
Back in the early 1800s, Indiana Territorial Rangers assisted the fledgling United States military throughout the military campaigns of the War of 1812 in what has become the state of Indiana.
“The War of 1812 finished the Revolutionary War,” Davis mentions, as he leans back against his bunk in his quarters at the Old Fort.
Davis explained that the Indiana Territorial Rangers were considered the special forces of the US military at the time. Members of the unit fought guerilla style, shooting from behind trees and bushes, patrolling paths and roads, and acting as scouts for the military. Their uniforms were the color of earth or snow, providing them with camouflage throughout the year.
Davis’ Company member William “Bill” Blevins was a perfect example of the Indiana Territorial Rangers, with his white overcoat and white boots blending perfectly with the Indiana snow lying on the grounds of the Fort.
Blevins, a surgeon with the Davis’ Company, originally came into contact with reenacting as a Boy Scout leader, where his troop had frequent camping events in connection with historical reenactment camps. When the troop closed down, Blevins, an ardent lover of the outdoors, decided to continue his enjoyment of camping and the outdoors by joining the Davis’ Company.
Standing near his friend Bill Blevens, David Taylor, another member of Davis’ Company, munched some authentic early 1800s chow – peas, bread and some cheese. Taylor came to reenacting via the influence of his father.
Taylor’s drab brown coat and boots provided a unique contrast to the white coat of Blevins, but their coats represent the many kinds of camouflage these early special forces soldiers had in the early 1800s, as the Indiana Territorial Rangers did not wear official US military uniforms.
With nearly 60 people registering for the event, there was a wide variety of historic uniforms and costumes on display throughout the day. Soldiers in green coats and trousers were chatting by the Fort’s flagpole, while other participants in dark blue coats marched through the front gates.
Balkenbusch, from Ohio, said that this particular event, organized cooperatively by various reenactment organizations including those at the Old Fort, had participants from across the Midwest region, including folks from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Some attendees had come to the event to “brush up” on their skills in reenacting. However, some event goers had come for something specific – military training, such as that given to soldiers stationed in Fort Wayne during the 1812 War.
“The US Army is using three different drill manuals during the War of 1812, even up to four at one point,” Balkenbusch explained.
That military training was on full display, with soldiers practicing marching and military drill outside the Fort. Others soldiers stood guard at the front gate. One could hear orders being shouted, a drum beating out a military call to assembly, and officers passing along orders to their command.
Participants came to this event to do what they love – bringing history to life through reenactment. The event at the Old Fort is just one way volunteers can help showcase that history.
“There are so many different options to get involved here,” Balkenbusch said of getting involved with reenacting at the Old Fort. “We always like to say we have something for everybody.”