Today’s U.S. Army Was Forged in Greenville

On Saturday, November 9, 2013, the Garst Museum will present a unique Veteran’s Day program. Beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at 4:00 PM the recreated First American Regiment will give attendees a unique history lesson about the origins of the U.S. Army.

Was today’s U. S. Army formed in Greenville? Here’s the historical background. When General Anthony Wayne assumed command of the army in 1792, the existing First American Regiment was absorbed into his “Legion” as the 1st Sub Legion and fought at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20,1794. This victory ended resistance to settlement in the Northwest Territory for many years. The oldest unit in the Army today, the Third Infantry, was formed from Wayne’s force and this modern unit can trace its lineage back to the First American Regiment that camped at Ft. GreeneVille from October 24, to October 30, 1791.

On Saturday, November 9, visitors to the Garst Museum will have the opportunity to experience what it was like to serve under “Mad” Anthony Wayne through a presentation by the recreated First American Regiment. This group was organized in 1985 for the express purpose of interpreting the life and times of a soldier during the Federal period. Each member of the all-volunteer, self-supporting organization constructs his own uniform and equipment. The original appearance of the regiment has been thoroughly researched and clothing is made according to contemporary patterns and descriptions. The regiment’s structure is similar to that of its original counterpart, platoons and companies of infantry, field officers, fifes and drums and an artillery crew. An authentic campsite with artificers, camp followers (wives and girlfriends of members) and a Regimental surgeon are also featured as part of the unit's program. This group has participated in Europe and the United States in addition to being involved with twelve television productions.

The Garst program begins at 10:00 with demonstrations and displays of federal period army life. At 11:00 historian, Dave Heckaman, will lead a discussion on the history of the First American Regiment. At 11:30 visitors can learn to load and fire a cannon. At 12:30 there will be a discussion and slide show on fortifications during the federal period followed by a recruitment scenario, drill demonstration, and a guided tour of the Crossroads of Destiny exhibit.

Admission to the Saturday, November 9, daylong program is free and open to the public, however normal admission fees apply to tour the entire museum. Any Veteran who brings a photo showing them in uniform will receive free admission for themselves and their immediate family to tour the entire museum Saturday or Sunday.

Support for the Garst Lecture Series comes, in part, from the Harry D. Stephens Memorial Trust, Inc.