The Fourth Sub-Legion of the United States
AMERICAN HISTORY
General Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the U.S.
In the fall of 1791, the U.S. Army experienced its worst defeat at the hands of Native Americans along the Wabash River in the Ohio Territory. The following year, Congress authorized the rebuilding of the army under the command of General Anthony Wayne. The new U.S. Army would be modeled after ancient Roman legions, with four sub-legions. Each of these sub-legions would be its own independent fighting force containing infantry, artillery, light infantry, and cavalry. By May 1792, the Legion of the United States was formed and established its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, at the newly constructed Fort Fayette. It was here that General Wayne began to organize and train his force.
In November 1792, seeking to remove his troops from the distractions of the city, Wayne moved the army 22 miles down the Ohio River and established Legion Ville (near present day Ambridge, PA). This location became the first official training camp of the U.S. Army.
Upcoming Wayne's Legion Events
Wayne's Legion Drill DaySun, May 18Bridgeville
Woodville's Whiskey Rebellion DaySun, Jul 20Woodville Experience
Fort McIntosh Day in BeaverSat, Sep 20Beaver
1793-1794
The Forth Sub-Legion’s Role in the Whiskey Rebellion
By spring of 1793, the Legion of the United States had become a welltrained and effective fighting force and had moved downstream into the Ohio Territory, leaving behind a SO-man garrison at Fort Fayette. In 1794, the troops played an important role in the Whiskey Rebellion, defending Bower Hill against the protesting farmers.
1794-1796
Battle of Fallen Timbers
General Wayne's army eventually went on to defeat native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August, 1794, thus opening the Northwest Territories for settlement by the United States. Following the peace brought about by the Treaty of Greenville and the death of Anthony Wayne, a 1796 Act of Congress called for the reduction and reorganization of the Legion of the United States.
The Fourth Sub-Legion of the United States is still active today as a non-profit group, based at Woodville and dedicated to recreating life in the U.S. Army during the 1790s. Revolutionary War. The tax was placed on distilled spirits, but quickly caught backlash from farmers in Western Pennsylvania who felt they were underrepresented.
GAMES OF THE 18TH CENTURY
Stoolball “cricket in the air”
Stoolball is a sport that dates back to at least the 15th century, originating in Sussex, southern England. It is considered a "traditional striking and fielding sport" and may be an ancestor of cricket[ (a game it resembles in some respects), baseball, softball, and rounders. The sport has been called "cricket in the air". There is evidence to suggest that it was played as a tradition by milkmaids who used their milking stools as a "wicket" and the bittle, or milk bowl as a bat, hence its archaic name of bittle-battle.
The sport of stoolball is strongly associated with Sussex and has been referred to as Sussex's 'national' sport and a Sussex game or pastime. The National Stoolball Association was formed in 1979 to promote and expand stoolball. The game was officially recognised as a sport by the Sports Council in early 2008. The National Stoolball Association changed its name to Stoolball England in 2010 on the advice of the Sports Council and was recognised as the national governing body for stoolball in England in 2011. The organisation is recognised by Sport England.
The game's popularity has faded since the 1960s, but continues to be played at a local league level in Sussex, Kent, Surrey and the Midlands. Some variants are played in some schools. Teams can be ladies only or mixed. There are ladies' leagues in Sussex, Surrey and Kent and mixed leagues in Sussex.