The Early Years - Our New England Beginnings

During the mid 1970's in the height of "Bicentennial Fever" a group of High School and College students from around Kingston Rhode Island, and all loosely associated either through schooling or family employment at the University of Rhode Island, became interested in participating in the numerous historical events that were beginning to take place in New England and the Eastern Seaboard.

Being that Rhode Island had "officially" rebelled against British authority with the burning of the British Revenue Schooner Gaspee in 1772, there was early interest in the modern maritime state to portray this aspect of their history. The Sloop Providence, a small armed Rebel merchantman, was recreated, and numerous seamen recruited from the towns surrounding Narragansett Bay. Among those young sailors were Don Hagist, a future Commander of the recreated 22nd Regiment of Foot and Jim Cosgrove, who was to become the Commander of the Regiment's predecessor unit.

A Red-Coated Militia Company

One of the things many American history books overlook is the fact that the Colonial Militia was not always made up of a bunch of back-country farmers who constantly grumbled against British authority and dressed in rags. Many towns and provinces were content under British rule and did all they could to emulate their brothers across the seas. The town of Kingston initially fit that mold. Not really being a hotbed of revolution and in fact being a colony of religious tolerance with direct deep water access to the Atlantic Ocean, Rhode Island was host to vessels and people from around the world, who were only too willing to take advantage of the protections of the British Crown and the religious and cultural tolerances of the people of the colony. It is interesting to note that Newport is home to the first Jewish congregation in North America, and the original temple stands today almost 250 years since it was erected.

Kingston, being a larger farming community a short distance from the sea side, had a well organized company of Militia. So well organized, in fact, that they were clothed and accoutered in a near approximation of a British Regular (Red Coat) Black Facings, white belts, cocked hats, etc.

The young men of the 20th Century town, tired of the limitations of naval life, gravitated toward land action and the Kingston Reds. Jim Cosgrove and Don Hagist, among others joined forces with an older gentleman who possessed what he purported to be a Kingston Red uniform coat of the period. Upon actual examination however, it was discovered that this family heirloom, while being a Kingston Red Coat, was instead one of an early 19th Century vintage, and so the new Commanders of the Kingston Reds followed the more common and historically correct British Military pattern of the period of the American War for Independence.

Rebel Colonial Militia Fights as British

At the various colonial affairs and other events in Rhode Island, the Kingston Reds portrayed their role as Rebel Militia and were recognized as such, however, once they began to move outside their immediate environs and take part in some of the larger Bicentennial events, they were faced with a sort of identity crisis. If they were not mistaken for Rebel Fieled Music in reversed colors, they were often times mistaken as British Red Coats.

Early in the Bicentennial there was a real shortage of British Regulars. The 23rd Foot had been recreated in the late 1960's along with the 10th Regiment of Foot, but their numbers were still small and they were often stretched too thin to make an impact an some events. Consequently on numerous occasions, the Kingston Reds were asked to fight alongside the British to "fill out their lines a bit". Over time, with the creation of the later-war Rebel 2nd Rhode Island Regiment and the continuing "red coated" identity crisis, the membership of the Kingston Reds decided that those who wished would change over to a historically locally based (Newport) British Regiment, and still continue, to a limited extent, as Kingston Reds, while others would join their rebel sister unit, the 2nd Rhode Island.

A New British Regiment

The research side of things and ultimately command of the new regiment fell to Don Hagist, an engineering student at URI. His research indicated that of all the British Regiments garrisoning Rhode Island, one stood out head and shoulders above the rest - The 22nd Regiment of Foot. Not only were they an active foraging and reconnaissance force against the Rebels, they maintained their 1768 Warrant standard British Red Coated appearance late into the War and were a Buff Regiment. Something that had not yet been recreated during the Bicentennial. As the Bicentennial years entered the early 1980's, the 22nd Foot began to become well established in the living history community.

As the members of the old Kingston Reds moved from high school to college and out into the "real world" the unit began to expand it's geographic reach beyond Rhode Island. The fledgling group also joined the Brigade of the American Revolution (BAR), and in an effort to strengthen the organization and participation of British Regiments, joined a group of other recreated British Regiments to become a founding member of the British Brigade.

Membership in the recreated 22nd Regiment of Foot grew and expanded into New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Maine. At the same time the Bicentennial began to wind down and the 22nd Foot as well as the bulk of the British Brigade and other associated Crown Forces began to celebrate the Loyalist Arrival in Canada in the mid 1780's.

We Begin to Mature

Age, geographic changes, marital and other adult responsibilities began to catch up with the members of the Regiment in the mid 1980's. We were no longer just a happy band of teenagers. Some left for College or joined military service, others married and began families of their own, others moved on to graduate schools which either took them across country or even overseas.

Fortunately, as members rotated out of the ranks, numerous new ones rotated in. Many of these men and women enjoyed living history but, as was the case with the 22nd Foot, started out on the Rebel side and were beginning to look for some new adventure and a Regiment that was willing to travel to some events and locations that they had yet to encounter.

The post Bicentennial Era of the late 1980's and 1990's saw a shift away from an event every weekend to a greater focus on the "living history" apects of this avocation at a select few large events per year. Having curtailed the Regiment's bicentennial Era "nomadic,every weekend" schedule, membership in the 22nd Foot began to appeal to an older generation of members with families could afford to get away a few times per year and even bring their families if they wished.

About the same time, after over a decade of high quality leadership, Don Hagist, having taken on the responsibility of restoring an 18th Century house, marriage and children, stepped down from Command to focus his attentions to his family, Regimental research, and life in-general, being subject to emergency re-call when necessary.

In 1989, Tom Vilardi, the Regimental Adjutant, having just graduated Law School and now able to devote a little more time to the Regiment, became commander. Through the dedication of a high quality, historically interested and genuinely caring membership, Tom has been able to see the Regiment through the 1990's with a steady growth and into the era of the 225th Anniversary of the War for American Independence.

225th Anniversary

The Regiment now boasts more members than ever before, being able to field over 30 Men and Field Musicians at select events - the ultimate goal being to field an historically accurate full strength Company of Men. Our numbers continue to grow, both with men and distaff, who are experienced living historians and those who are new to the avocation. As we entered the 225th Anniversary this year, we are happy to report that we have met and exceeded several field attendance high water marks and eagerly look forward to the numerous high quality events in the years to come.

250th Anniversary - Looking Ahead

Source: First Recreated 22nd Foot Website - H. Joswick