Rum Runners

title: rum runners

equipment needed: table, jugs, a pocket for coins, "rum" (cider), faked license signed by a nonexistent general

could include: mugs, wash basins for dirty dishes, old tarp strung haphazardly, benches

costs: cider (probably break even)

planning lead time: one week's notice to barwrt

permissions, etc: notify organizers (secretly?) just in case

documentation: (fill in over time) for rum, illicit liquor sales near encampments, orders against such activity, license, mug shapes, jug shapes, tables, tarps, women sutlers, etc.

photos:

Cate Crown suggests thinking about these things for this scenario: To portray a hawker of illegal liquor, for example, I should think you'd want two or three examples of such people to back your persona up. Was this a person who traveled with the army or came onto the grounds when the army was settled somewhere? What kind of liquor? How was it made? How was it sold? In other words was it "bottled" or was the person carrying it in a kettle of some sort with a gourd ladle and selling it by the scoopful? Why illegal? Did you need a permit from an officer to sell liquor? If so, what officer? What did the permit look like? You'd want to know that so you can be scornful of it. If found to be on the grounds of the camp by an officer what happens to you? Thrown out? Arrested? Alcohol confiscated? Fined? It sounds like a fun persona as you can arrange for several good scenarios to play out in front of visitors.

From Henry Cooke: In the Continental Army, petty sutlers, dram shops, and taverns in the vicinity of a garrison or established camp were licensed by the commandant of the garrison or camp. The taverns in the vicinity of the garrison at West Point were limited to selling small beer and cider to enlisted men. Often trouble arose when soldiers demanded hard liquor or drink in excess of what was allowed. We have a court martial transcript of two soldiers in the 10th Mass. who nearly caused a riot attempting to force one of these tavern keepers to sell them rum. Will try to find and send a copy of the transcript.

Henry