This weekend, the weekend of The Time Change, the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site in Camden, South Carolina steps back in time to present its annual "Revolutionary War Field Days" program. This event is a commemoration of the Battle of Camden, which occurred 16 August 1780 and is fictionalized in my second book, The Blacksmith's Daughter. It's a fun weekend for the whole family, with battle reenactments on Saturday and Sunday, Colonial dance demonstrations, Colonial games and a fashion show, tradesmen and merchants, skits, and historical interpreters.

The original battle was in August. Why is the reenactment usually held in November? The 225th anniversary of the Battle of Camden was conducted in August. Most reenactors wear wool clothing. The heat index for the day of the 225th anniversary battle was about 115 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the high temperatures for this weekend should be in the upper 50s and lower 60s. You can see the appeal of a November event for people dressed in wool.

Son #1 now has a musket of his own and is really to shoot blackpowder. My author schedule has kept me from attending the Camden event for several years in a row, but this year, we'll be there. It'll be great to visit with reenactor friends again and recharge my creativity and research batteries so I can finish the next Michael Stoddard thriller. Yes, I've already started writing it. (Go here to read a re-post of a fun essay I wrote entitled "The Things We Do For Research.")

Come to Camden this weekend. Look for me in the Crown forces camp on Saturday and introduce yourself. I hope to see you there.