Group re-enacts Revolutionary War occupation of Hillsborough in 1781

In the swirling snow, a handful of British soldiers stood around a fire, cooking salted beef.

A lone loyalist stood stoically off to the side, displaying his musket and bright blue coat.

A group of re-enactors braved frigid temperatures on Saturday to take part in the annual commemoration of British Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis’ 1781 occupation of Hillsborough during the Revolutionary War.

On Feb. 20, 1781, Cornwallis stopped in Hillsborough, attempting to recruit loyalists to his army.

For the event, which was organized by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, re-enactors wore historically accurate uniforms made with authentic 18th-century processes and fabrics.

The event also featured a colonial quilt-making activity for the children.

Chapel Hill resident Michael Fath said the event was perfect for him and his family because the re-enactors spent a lot of time teaching them about cooking and firing a musket.

“He did a really good job with it,” Fath said of Todd Dickinson, a Hillsborough resident who portrayed the loyalist.

Ashley DeSena, program coordinator at the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, said there were fewer attendees this year due to the inclement weather.

The re-enactors said the weather might have been similar to what Cornwallis dealt with during his occupation.

David Gobel, a re-enactor from Charleston, S.C., was dressed as a lieutenant in the 64th Regiment of Foot in the British army.

Gobel said he has spent $8,000 on his collection of re-enactment equipment.

He said he also participates in pirate re-enactments, in which the actors conduct sea battles from a boat complete with cannons.

DeSena said she loves the re-enactors’ enthusiasm.

“They love coming out to do re-enactments and to talk to visitors,” she said. “It isn’t hard to convince them to come out.”

The re-enactors emphasized their motivation to be educators ­­— more than just participants in what many see as an eccentric hobby.

“If I can see a little spark in someone’s eye, … it feels good to me to put that knowledge out and make it so that people understand the history of their country,” Dickinson said.

“I’m giving back to America and to civilization by helping to preserve this stuff.”

While he enjoys educating visitors, Dickinson said, a lot of the fun starts after the “modern intrusions” leave. Then the re-enactors drink, relax and occasionally have 18th-century balls.

He said the type of after-party varies depending on the celebrating army.

He said the British army tends to drink more and party harder. The Americans are more conservative and patriotic, and the local militias are the most relaxed of the three.

After 15 years of involvement, Dickinson said he is still enamored with the whole process of re-enacting.

“It is like a big educational costume party with a theme,” he said.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.