Coassement de la Grenouille

Journal of the Milice de Ste. Famille

Vol. 12, No. 3 May 2000

Thank you, everyone for a Wonderful Frog Talk. It is the

participating of the unit that makes it work. I sent Carl

Ekberg a short thank you note and told him I was sure he

would knock'em dead in Paris with his ideas. Thanks again to

Dan Hechenberger. He is thinking about joining the Milice.

Thanks to Shawna for a very interesting talk. Tom and John

deserve big kudos for all their work on the fly fishing

talk. And a very big thank you to all who participated in

the auction. Your generosity has made Frog Talk 2001

possible.

Lyle Cubberly and Tom Connor have offered to chair the 2001

event. It will be held at Fort de Chartres the 3rd weekend

in April (April 21-22).

I was very honored to receive the unit gorget at the dinner.

It makes me very proud to be the first to wear it. The

halbred should be done by June Fort.

This is a short letter, but my mind is still numb from Frog

Talk weekend.

Your Humble Servant

John Mefford, Capt.

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Hi -

It was a great camping trip, and the weather was beautiful.

the auction for Frog Talk 2K was very successful. Thank you

for your support.

Jim Chestney

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NOTICE

At the March meeting we discussed having a Milice Yard Sale

at June fort this year. John Massey will be in charge of

the trade blanket.

The Milice will pay the camp fee.

Any Milice member can place items on the blanket as long as

they have a price tag attached, and your name or mark so we

can keep track of the money. Also, anyone using the trade

blanket MUST spend time helping to watch it. This is a must.

John Mefford

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Monsieur le Brigadier Protz

I wish to report that I have successfully returned from the

reconnaissance undertaken by your direction of

the Fort on the shore of the Great River know by the

Sauvages as Mississippi near the town of Prairie du

Rocher in the Illinois country by the name Fort des

Chartres. I remained with the People of the Fort for two

days before making great haste to return to my duties and

offering my report.

My travel down the great river was without any difficulties

with many sights of the prosperity of this new

land everywhere to see. I arrived near where I believed the

Fort to be near at midnight with fog all covering

the land and silence all around me. Unsure of my

whereabouts and not wishing to become lost, I moored

my craft and preceded on foot until I could smell the fires

of the fort and a camp outside its walls. Not

wishing to disturb any alert sentries performing their

duties, I brought my craft closer into the fort but

stayed in the forest where I slept under the most beautiful

clear sky unmarked by any human lights.

I arose early the next morning on the 29th Day of April and

put on my justaucorps having travel in only my

vest feeling that its white color would allow me to safely

approached the fort and let my presence to the

garrison be known. I needed not have been afraid as I was

able to approach quite close to the post before a

cannonier-bombadier challenged me and recognized me as

French. He was a friendly fellow who was not

assigned to this post but was here to help site the

positions of cannon and other technical matters. He

showed me where I could make camp and would present me to

the Fort commandant when the hour was

more respectable.

I will take this moment to report on the state of the Fort

and the surrounding area before I continue with the

matters of the garrison and the people of the Illinois

country. The Fort itself remains in an incomplete state

with only the eastern wall being finish as in the design

due to the want of Livres. Both the northern and

southern walls are complete but halfway, a low wall marking

the outline of the completed plan of the

remainder. The Northeast and Southeast bastions are

finished as well, providing adequate defense to the

side of the fort away from the river. As a fort built with

consideration of modern design, it is wanting as the

Fort lacks all nature of covered ways, ravelins, glacis and

all manners of defense against an enemy well

equipped with cannon. But as the garrison explained to me

the difficulties on moving cannon to this place is

fraught with many problems as to make that situation

arising more unlikely than receiving their back pay

from the King. Against the Sauvages the Fort will have no

difficulty as it is true and well built and covers

an adequate area of ground into which the people can be

protected with safety. The walls themselves are

modest as to those of Fort Carillon being half again as

high as a man and no more than a man thick. The

walls lacks firing steps for the garrison or ramps upon

which to place cannon so to place the defenders

above their enemies but instead find themselves on the same

level as their attackers with only the wall

betwixt them. The wall is well-looped hole to permit the

garrison to fire in safety upon any one approaching

the walls, the lack of any concealed approach the Fort

being apparent upon glazing over the flat land

surrounding the Fort. The Fort possesses several building

all of stout design and construction which gives

shelter to the garrison and the people of the Illinois

country. Within one building are many gifts and

treasures found around in the countryside that provide

visitors with a sense of the people that live here and

their history while in the Illinois country. One can wander

through this building without paying a Sou to

examine and learn about the people and land of the Illinois

Country.

After completing the making of my camp, I was taken to the

presence of the Fort Commandant who is the

commander of the Cahokia Milice that protects this land

from the enemies of the King. Capitaine Jean

Bapiste Tavernier has the appearance of a country Chevalier

who very much looks the part of a seasoned

military leader with countless expeditions against his

enemies behind him. With him were several members

of the garrison numbering only four or five. Capitaine

Tavernier explained to me that as the Fort wants for

the provisions provided by the King, the situation requires

most of the garrison be away tending farms and

hunting game to preserve the strength of the garrison so to

leave only the few who I see before me. We

laughed together as I spoke of our similar problems in

Nouvelle-France with our Intendant Bigot and we

agreed that the intendant in Nouvelle-Orleans must be

Bigot's brother.

At this time I will offer my observations of the garrison

and the people of this country as I determined

during my brief stay. I had arrived at a time of

celebration and gathering amongst the people here to sell

and

barter goods from near and far and to learn from travelers

who came to share knowledge. I found this last to

be very interesting as all in attendance were excited with

the opportunity to share time with the several

learned men that had traveled to the Fort to sit and talk

amongst the crowd. I will talk about these men

presently but I must first continue with my observations of

the people of the Illinois country. The garrison is

a lively group with much knowledge of the country around us

and of the ways of the Sauvages but are

poorly in mastering the ways of modern war. They want for

uniforms, cannon, arms and the understanding

of the Kings regulations for the conduct of a regiment.

Because of the celebration they were in want of my

uniform which to place in their celebration as they raised

the Flag in honor of our King. I found myself

partaking in the honors of the ceremony in the front rank

of the Milice before the people of this country

where my justaucorps and vest of my Regiment de la Reine

brought a touch of France to this distant

wilderness. Upon the end of the honors to the flag the

command to cheer the King was heard but only I

shouted "Vie la Roi!" as the Milice looked upon me and said

it must be true that I am a soldier of the

Troupes de Terre as the King had not done anything for them

as of late. After the ceremony the people

gather at many places to share adventures and told stories

of their successes and failures over the last

seasons since they had gather before. The People of this

are well dressed and live a fine life that they gladly

share with strangers. I did not want for food or drink or

entertainment and much pleasant company was

found around the campfires that was different from the

sober fate that hangs around like foggy blankets on

the people of Nouvelle-France.

At this time the first of the learned men was to speak and

all gathered around inside the Fort to hear his

words. While waiting for the beginning of his tales I found

the people called these gatherings Frog Talk the

origins of such a name I know not where comes from. They

said it was L'ecole or school for which one

can listen and to learn about all matters of things that

the Priests of which were two present would never tell

the people. The first man was named Micheal Accault, a

voyageur that spoke to us in a wondrous and

beautiful language of the Sauvages which lived amongst the

People of the Illinois country. I couldn't

understand but little when he spoke but by his gestures and

body movements I could realize some sense of

his speech. He then spoke in our own language and told us

about the Sauvages and where they lived and

traveled and who they knew and called friend or who they

fought and called enemy. He spoke well and

even the children listened intently to his every word as he

spoke of the stories and games of the Sauvages.

In the afternoon the People had a great market where all

came to purchase what others had provided but

their method of purchase is surely different than those of

other markets. Where in other markets the buyer

and seller will discuss the issue of price in private with

none others around to partake, here they make a

game of it. They place the items for sale on a table and

let one person make an offer of Livres after which

others may offer Livres for the same item as long as it is

more Livres then the previous offer. I have heard

of this in some of the great houses in Paris but to see it

hear in the Illinois country was unexpected to say

the least. It was fun and all were having such a great time

that I took partook and purchased a journal in

which to gather my writings. I later overheard that the

market was a great success and that Capitaine

Tavernier received a handsome commission from the profits.

That evening the Capitaine provided food and drink for a

modest fee and there was more than enough food

feed our company as all was well prepared. The next man

spoke after the meal was finished and he was a

noted Scholar who was traveling through the Illinois

country before he returned to Paris and report to the

King of the happenings here. His name was Doctor Carl

Ekberg a Professor of Knowledge from the King

and he talk to us about tilling the land and the ways of

how People lived and showed all the People here his

collection of Maps drawn by many of the great

cartographers. He was travelling to tell the King that of

all

His lands and People in Nouvelle-France and Louisiana that

the Illinois country was most like the land and

People of France. I do not know what the People here in the

Illinois country think about that but the

Canadians in Nouvelle-France will surely be upset as they

think they are just as good as the King himself.

There was much discussion about the Scholar's thoughts but

many were pleased at the thought that they

were very French.

I spent another beautiful evening enjoying the friendship

of the People of this land and glories that God

himself offered on that night. After some good conversation

and a few cups of wine I slept as my late night

travels the evening before had left me unable to stay

awake.

The Sunday morning when I awoke found few People up and

working. As a soldier to sleep pass daybreak

is a sin but the People knew it was Sunday and enjoyed

relaxing in the morning. After all arose and were

about the camp a woman was selected to speak next to the

gathering. She was Shawna Kadlek a learned

woman in the healing arts that knows of many wondrous

plants and herbs that can defeat fevers and help

those in a badly way become whole. She showed us many of

these plants and discussed their applications in

many forms of tonics, teas and tinctures so one could

provide assistance to those in need. As I listened I

was wishing that our regiment surgeon were here to hear

her knowledge as he is in want of medical

knowledge beyond that of asking for the Blessing of God to

save our soldiers when wounded or hurt.

The last of the men to speak today were called Tom Connor

and John Hammond and had actually spoken

some yesterday but they continued their tales today so I

will speak of them at this time. They had brought

the knowledge of a different way to catch fish using a long

pole and a reel to gather and release thread and

hook to catch the fish. This they called this fly fishing

and you throw the hook far away into the river so not

to let the fish know that you near so they will eat the

food on the hook and be caught. The reel has a handle

so you can gather the thread on the reel like a spindle and

pull the fish to you. The thread must be very

strong but very light so it can be throw far but can still

bring the fish to you when it is caught. The speaker

John Hammond had himself made one of these complicated

devices and spoke of the ease in which he can

harvest the fish in leisure to feed himself. It is an

interesting way to catch fish but of no use to a soldier as

you must carry the rod and reel which is easy to break and

would cost many Livres to buy as it is too

difficult for an unskilled Person to make.

During their talk I began to pack my camp as my journey

back was to be a long one and I wished not to

arrive back to the regiment in the night. So I left before

the final celebration was done so to complete my

journey and offer my report. I would Highly recommend to

all who wish to gain knowledge of many things

not taught by the Priests should journey to the King's Fort

des Chartres to sit around with others and listen

to the men and women speak at Frog Talk.

Written this 15th Day of May

Respectfully

Soldier of the Regiment de la Reine, Troupes de Levis a Ste

Foy.

(by Jeff Leser, a retired army officer, whose persona is

Wilhelm Leser, a soldier of the Regiment de la Reine from the

Alsace-Lorraine area of France.)

***********************

Heartfelt thanks to all of those who sent cards, e-message,

attended the visitation or just held a good thought for me

and my family at the recent death of my mother, Olive I.

Joyner. The donation in her honor to the Humane Society is

deeply appreciated.

Thank you again

Lynn E. Mefford

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Dear Milice Members,

Thank you very much for the beautiful flowers, the cards,

kind words of sympathy at the passing of my mother. You are

truly a caring group of friends!

Very much appreciated,

Jerry and Jeanie Nix

*************************

Gentlemen:

I saw your notice of a program involving French & Indian War

Camp. My husband and I have attended 3 such functions, two

at Fort Ticonderoga and one at Fort Ontario, both in New York

State. Our purpose for attending was to present a book based

on the French & Indiana War written by my late father,

Parrish Wells. Book used diaries of colonial soldiers and

talks place in New York State, two escape stories:

First, two men escape from Fort Niagara and head for Sir

William Johnson's headquarters - second, men leave Fort

William Henry and are captured by Indians and then live in

Montreal until they escape that city. Book is completely

authentic and has been reprinted 3 times. sells for $5.95

Please contact me if you have an interest in such a book.

Perhaps send me info if we could have a table for signing

and selling book. I have signed the book as author's

daughter at the different programs we have attended and the

book DANGEROUS JOURNEYS has sold well. My e-mail is

midgeago@yahoo.com

Thank you

Marjorie Wells Harrison

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To the Best Milice in the country!

Due to Great Personal and Physical Sacrifices that Russ and I

had to endure, I am happy to announce to the membership we

have been accepted to participate in this year's event at

FORT LIGONIER at Ligonier, Pennsylvania on Oct 14 & 15. As

you all know that last time the Milice de Ste. Famille was

invited to this site, (1758) was to attack the English

invaders who were commanded by General Forbes.

Unfortunately, they were too strong for us, but we managed to

leave the heads of Major Grant's Highlanders on sticks as a

welcome sign to Forbes army as they entered our beloved Fort

Duquesne.

More to come.

Murf

***********************

Niagara Alert!!!!

Bill Scherer is looking for people headed to Fort Niagara

over 4th of July. He is hoping to book the North redoubt.

If you are interested, please contact Bill - 2726 E. Black,

Springfield IL 62702.

********************

Dear friends,

This is the official information that you all have been

waiting for. (And I hope this information is helpful in

clearing up and mysteries about the WEDDING 2000 that you

might have heard something about.)

Wedding 2000 is the upcoming event of the century (which

century I'm not sure) and marks several historic events. It

will be the 82nd birthday of Donna's father, Don Reeves, the

100th anniversary of Donna's grandparents, Lena and Robert

Reeves and the wedding of Dennis Lybarger and Donna Reeves.

We very much enjoy our occasional trips back to the

eighteenth century and all of you have become fast friends

and close acquaintances. We very much would like you all to

come and share our joy and be a part of our wedding ceremony

by attending the wedding in eighteenth century clothing.

(Other details will be given to you at a later date - closer

to the wedding.)

The wedding will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15th, 2000 at

2:00 p.m. at Pontoon Baptist Church (at Pontoon Road and

Highway 111) in Granite City. There will be a reception

immediately following the ceremony in the church's fellowship

hall ( and you all are invited to that as well--(yes, there

will be food and your will be fed!)

For further information, directions, or to RSVP call 618-

345-5057.

Sincerely,

Dennis Lybarger and Donna Reeves.

********************

Please make the following additions or changes to your roster

change of address -

Dennis Lybarger - 709 E. Country Lane, Collinsville IL 62234

Dave Wall - 700 Oak Bluff Condos, Camdenton MO 65020, 573-

317-0663 h20cop99@hotmail.com

new e-mail addresses

Jim and Carolyn Agne - jim@wholenet.net

Cecil Comte - comte@HTC.net

new members -

Edgar F. Glock, Jr. - 319 North Gore, St. Louis Mo 63119,

314-961-3612, fritzblock@aol.com

Dan Hechenberger - 1017 West Green, Mascoutah, IL 62258-

1032, nipundikan@yahoo.com

Dick and Margaret Magan - 436 South Pne, Centralia IL

62801, 618-532-4592

Charles Pool - 4132 Walsh St., St. Louis MO 63116, 314-

907-2481, troisrive@aol.com

*******************

Hello All -

Sorry it's taking so long to get you the info on the Old St.

Ferdinand Shrine Historic Encampment. We're tweaking some

final details with City Hall, which has moved with its usual

evolutionary-like pace.

For those of you who participated in the Florissant

Rendezvous last October, it will be at the same place it was

-- on the park grounds adjacent to the Shrine.

For those of you who didn't participate, here's a little

background: the city of Florissant was founded in 1786, with

St. Ferdinand parish founded in 1789. The Shrine on the

grounds was constructed in 1821. (It's believed to be the

oldest Catholic church in the Upper Louisiana Territory.) It

was here that St. Phi1lipphine Duchesne established a school

for Indian girls, and from where Father DeSmet based his

journeys west. All-in-all, a fascinating place with a rich,

diversified history.

To remember that history, we want to put on a first-class

Encampment that's going to grow over the years. That's why

we'd like to see you there this October 13, 14, and 15. I'll

send you all and "official" flyer by way of a doc file when

those final, City Hall details are finally finished, which

should be in a few more days.

In the meantime, start packin'.

Phil Jose

*********************

Hello ( and a special hello to John Murphy, if you see this!)

My name is Mike Pierce. I've met some of your guys over the

years at Jefferson Barracks, where I volunteer. I'm also a

Confederate artilleryman.

During the past few years, I've arranged for Civil War re-

enactors at Old Settlers Days in Kampsville IL. this event

draws 10,000+ per day to this little town of approximately

300 people.

Beginning this year, I want to turn this into a living

history encampment, with various periods represented,

probably from French and Indian War through WWII. This is a

really laid-back weekend. The organizers furnish firewood,

water, and straw. You can either bring your own food or eat

at one of two very reasonably priced restaurants within

walking distance of where we camp.

We camp on the banks of the Illinois River. Tis event is

open to all branches of service.

If you guys can make, this I need your registration by 1

September. I only need to know two things.

How many people will you bring?

How many tents?

If you need to, you can email me at stlreb@altavista.com.

**********************