American troops at war

June 24-25, 2006

Genesee Country Village & Museum will serve as the centerpiece in the 2006 Grand Tactical, as some 500 War of 1812 reenactors bring "American's Forgotten War" to the Genesee Country on June 24-25.

Troops from throughout the Northeast, Midwest, South and Canada will restage skirmishes at Black Rock (July 11, 1813) and Conjocheta Creek (August 3, 1814).

These were British attempts to destroy U.S. supply depots along the Niagara Frontier and hamper or terminate U.S. efforts to invade Canada.

Both Congress and President James Madison viewed Western New York—particularly the Niagara Frontier and the adjacent Genesee Country—as a strategic staging area for a land invasion of Canada.

The Grand Tactical is held each year at a different historical site in the U.S. or Canada, with scenarios that reflect the bitter fighting and subsequent reprisals that occurred in small towns along the border throughout the duration war. Visitors will encounter a group of refugees from the Niagara Frontier, an illustration of the effects of these engagements on the civilian population.

British on the march

Visitors are also invited to inspect British and American military campsites to learn first-hand by talking with soldiers from both sides what was happening on the Niagara Frontier and the impact of the conflict on the region.

“Mr. Madison’s War” or “America’s Second War for Independence,” as the conflict was often called, was a bloody affair costing thousands of lives and resulting in huge losses of property, including the burning of Buffalo.

Finally, in December 1814, America signed a treaty of peace with Great Britain that acknowledged no gains for either side.

Activities each day include musical performances, musket firing demonstrations, parades and drills.

Download the full schedule.