Frontier Partisans

The Adventurers, Rangers and Scouts Who Fought the Battles of Empire

Skate Like A Ranger

February 13, 2021, by JimC

 

Rogers Rangers in action in winter conditions. Art by Gary Zaboly.

We are finally getting some decent winter here in Central Oregon. Real winter temperatures and enough snow to mean something.

The conditions led my thoughts down the trail to New England and New York during the French and Indian War. One of the unique aspects of the long-term conflict on the northern frontier in the 18th century was that combatants engaged in winter operations. Conventional 18th century forces in that era pretty much shut down operations in the wintertime (Washington’s assault on Trenton in December 1776 being an important exception — and it was successful in large part because it broke with convention).

Rogers Rangers in winter. Note the crampons strapped across the instep. Art by Gary Zaboly.

Rogers’ Rangers were noted for their winter operations, which included two significant “battles on snowshoes.” One of their patrolling techniques involved skating up Lake George into French-held territory. That always intrigued me.

As a young man in Southern California, I did a whole lot of skating — but it was on rollerblades on the asphalt. The Clan ice skates at least once annually, on Christmas night. I love skating. But I gotta say that 18th century skates make my ankles burn just looking at them.

A young historical reenactor recently posted a video on 18th century frontier skating. He’s a hockey player and a good skater. Clearly, it’s different from skating in hockey boots. No ankle or foot support, and the blade shape is different. But the old-time skates seem quite functional, especially if the skater is simply trying to move straight up the ice.

Enjoy. Now, I must head out on my own winter operation — which involves a shovel and a roof-rake..

*

Support Frontier Partisans through the Patreon page here.

Filed Under: On Your Own Hook

Previous Post: « Dead Men Tell A Tale
Next Post: Ain’t Living’ Long Like This »

Comments

  1. .lane batot says

    February 13, 2021 at 10:40 am

    Great illustrations! So, in that first one, are those the wolf dogs of the Rangers helping them out, or the wolf dogs of the Indians trying to protect their humans?

    Reply
    • JimC says

      February 13, 2021 at 11:38 am

      Rogers Rangers liked their dogs. There was one legendary one they called Sergeant Beaubien, which was officially entered in the muster roll and drew a sergeant’s pay and rations.

      Reply
      • .lane batot says

        February 14, 2021 at 11:25 am

        Excellent!

        Reply
  2. Matthew says

    February 13, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    It’s freezing here in Colorado. About five degrees.

    Winter Operations are always difficult which is why even today they are specialized units in the military. One of the SEAL teams (2 I think) trains for Arctic conditions. Then there were ski troops in WWII.

    Reply
    • Joe waters says

      March 4, 2021 at 3:53 am

      I was in the tenth mountain division light infantry..2nd brigade combat team commandos and we live and train in extewme cold while we are stateside then we deploy to the hottest places on earth haha..oh the irony..but to your point the tenth mountain were the teoops who fought on skis

      Reply
  3. Mike says

    February 14, 2021 at 7:49 am

    Maurice Isserman’s ‘The Winter Army: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division’ has been on my to read list for the same winter fueled reason.

    I did just start Edward J. Larson’s ‘To the Edges of the Earth: 1909, the Race for the Three Poles, and the Climax of the Age of Exploration.’ Makes for a fun drive through the snow when you can pretend you’re on a polar expedition!

    Reply
    • JimC says

      February 14, 2021 at 8:39 am

      A guy I used to play music with’s father was a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division in WWII. Went on to a career in CIA. Remarkable man, who you’d never guess was a badass.

      Reply
  4. Paul McNamee says

    February 17, 2021 at 5:05 am

    That’s really cool! And yes, my ankles scream in sympathy.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Frontier Partisans

  • Introduction
  • Jim Cornelius
  • Trading Post
  • The Muster (Links)
  • Search this Site

Podcast Campfire Sparked

Introduction to the Podcast,
or head on over to listen:
Frontier Partisans Podcast

The Trading Post is OPEN

Frontier Partisan t-shirt: Balen-Powell's illustration of Frederick Burnham on front; "The only partisanship we tolerate in these parts is Frontier Partisanship" on back.

Trading Post Cart

Cart is empty $0

Support Frontier Partisans

What I’m Aiming For

Go Fund Me

go fund me frontier partisans

Receive Frontier Partisans Posts Via Email

Categories

  • Chapters
  • Frontier Partisan Bookshelf
  • On Your Own Hook
  • The War Chest

Recent Posts

  • The Cold War Frontier
  • Shaka Ilembe
  • The ‘Unmatched Mystique’ Of Daniel Boone
  • Simon Girty Podcast
  • Ghosts Of Culloden
  • Working The Trapline On The Edge Of The World
  • Indicting Western Civilization
  • Working The Trapline — Something Seaxy

fp@frontierpartisans.com

Copyright © 2021 FRONTIER PARTISANS, Jim Cornelius