To Arms! To Arms! To Arms!

This was the rallying cry in times of trouble for many communities in Colonial America.

Whenever this cry went out in the area known as New Marblehead, Mass., now Windham, a group of settlers known as The New Marblehead Militia, would reach for their weapons and rush to face whatever danger was threatening the fledgling community.

In the early history of New Marblehead during the French and Indian wars of the mid-1700s the militia was often called out. In one case the New Marblehead militia came to the aid of the town of Falmouth (now Portland) during an Indian attack that stretched the resources of the Falmouth militia. During another event, while escorting the colonial farmers to their farm plots on River Road they came into contact with a band of Indians. During the exchange of gunfire one of the militia was killed and another severely wounded. The shots brought reinforcements from the fort and the Indian attack was repelled. This particular exchange helped end the Indian conflict in New Marblehead. The event, of course, is the slaying of the Abenaki Chief Polin by Stephen Manchester, a militia member.

Other militia members from New Marblehead would be formed as units to fight in the American Revolutionary War and those that returned to their homes as citizen soldiers became leading citizens of the town. In the years following that war, the militia would slowly dissolve and fade away from our collective memories.

In 1973, an effort was made to resurrect “The New Marblehead Militia,” in preparation for celebrations of the nation’s 200th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America in 1976. I was a member of that group of some two dozen new “New Marblehead Militia.”

We held “enactments and campgrounds.” We participated in parades and other events around New England that were focused on the anniversary year of American Independence. It was fascinating to be involved with creating our own clothing and gear, even our own shoes/boots.

Now fast forward to 2014. The New Marblehead Militia has again faded into memory. There are only a few of the 1976 militia left and most no longer fit into their uniforms. This is an open invitation for interested parties to contact me and see if there is interest in the new formation.

With technical support from the Windham Historical Society and in partnership with the Field-Allen, American Legion Post 148 of Windham, I would like to resurrect The New Marblehead Militia.

The intent would be to form an organization that would be available to support a variety of town events such as parades and official programs much as they did for the dedication of Babb’s Covered Bridge in 1976 as well as providing an educational component to the Historical Society. If there is interest, I will be glad to share my experiences and skills. So, “To Arms! To Arms! To Arms!” If you are interested in becoming a part of this effort, or learning more about the militia, please contact me: Bob Beane at 892-7750; or Mel Greenier, Commander, Field-Allen Post 148, 854-8616; or Dave Tanguay, Adjutant, Post 148, 892-1306.

Bob Beane

Windham