UNIVERSAL SOLDIERS AND PIONEER DAYS

The sound of muskets and the rattle of sabers, punctuated occasionally by the deafening roar of a cannon, fill the air and resound across the meadows and through the woods of Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County. Soldiers from all of the American wars-the French and Indian through the Revolution, the Civil and both World wars, the Korean and the Vietnam-are represented during the Universal Soldier and Pioneer Days held annually mid-May in the park.

The men, equipment, and camps of fur trading pioneers from early frontier days are also portrayed during this event. Authentic reproductions of uniforms and equipment; soldiers marching in close order drill from Revolution and Civil war eras; demonstrations, artillery drills, and battle reenactments of many historical periods, including our modern times, can be seen at the various encampments. The French and Indian wars are well represented by both soldiers and Native Americans who perform battle reenactments. Troops dressed in the uniforms of the 60th Royal American Regiment, Virginia Regiment, Royal Artillery, French Marines, and Virginia Militia all have encampments at the park. Reenactors in the uniforms of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line conduct demonstrations and participate in mock battles of the Revolutionary War. An artillery drill using an accurate reproduction of a Civil War cannon is performed by the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 5th Virginia Volunteer Regiment of the Civil War era. Their encampment also boasts an authentic surgeons tent of that period, where the surgeon and his assistant explain and demonstrate many of the crude surgical instruments that were used on battlefields.

Each has interesting stories to tell about the history of the early mountain men and fur traders. Modern Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force and reserve units with their equipment are also encamped and involved in demonstrations and mock battles. You can take a firsthand look at some Pennsylvania National Guard helicopters and have your questions answered by the pilots. One colorful reenactment unit of the 1700s is the Legion of the United States that was originated by President George Washington under the command of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. The Legion was the new nation’s first official army and was trained at Legion Ville, two miles north of Old Economy in Beaver County. Patrick R. Riley, an archaeologist and president of the Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc, tells how the training camp was originally slated for Pittsburgh, which at that time was a squalid town, but Wayne ordered it moved to a plain on the east side of the Ohio River north of Old Economy.

Here, General Wayne forged his troops into a well disciplined and highly trained fighting force, clothing them in elegant uniforms with distinctive colors for the various units. For some of his soldiers, Legion Ville was the springboard for illustrious military careers. Wayne's aide-de-camp, Lieutenant William Henry Harrison, became the ninth president of the United States. His adjutant, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, discovered Pike's Peak. Lieutenant William Clark went on the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. Captain William Eaton led the United States Marine Corps to the shores of Tripoli in 1806. Major Henry Burbeck would co-found the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The 3rd United States Infantry guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and traces their lineage to the 2nd Sub-Legion.

More information on the Legion of United States and the Legion Ville training camp can be obtained from the Legion Ville Historical Society, Inc., R.D. #4, #10 Pine Court, Sewickley Pennsylvania, 15143; (412)266-1795. Sponsors of the Universal Soldier and Pioneer Days (Raccoon Creek State Park and local businesses) plan the event to provide historically accurate portraits of America's military and pioneer history. This year's event will be held May 17 and 18.