Yesterday, we traveled to Mackinac Island (Turtle Island) to view the reenactment of the opening “battle” of the War of 1812, where a group of several hundred Indians, British veterans (described as victims of “unconquerable drunkenness”), and French voyageurs (many not wearing any shoes), took the fort from the Americans without a shot. It is true that the terror of seeing hundreds of Indians in the woods outside the fort forced the Americans to surrender quickly.
Eric Hemenway was one of the speakers introducing the event, and as always gave a delightful and informative talk about what the event meant to Michigan Indians.
Here are a few pics:
The Indians waiting in the bush (that is, backstage) to attack. Those are real loincloths people, settle down.
The attackers entering the fort following the Americans’ indication of willingness to surrender (no one told them that the war had started, to their credit). Those British red coats really were as old as they look here.
Another shot of the attackers.
This final shot is of the Americans who work at the fort normally, showing off their 1880s-era weapons. The one dressed as the musician seemed to be the most competent shooter.
Turtle Talk 
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