While it’s always the 18th century at Coggeshall Farm, for one day — last Saturday, Aug. 19 — the Farm was host to a reenactment of a drill day and encampment of Revolutionary War soldiers and militiamen of Rhode Island’s own Tew’s Company.

Captain Tew's Company was involved in many key battles of the American Revolution. More than 200 years later, it was reformed to commemorate the role played by Rhode Island soldiers in the American Revolution. The recreated company is composed of men and women who portray the Revolutionary War soldier and his military camp as living history.

A volunteer organization, the members of the company come from many backgrounds but all share a deep, common respect for the American War for Independence. Each member of Tew's Company is personally responsible for uniforming and equipping himself in order to duplicate the attire of the company. The unit strives to portray the Company during the campaign season of 1778.

Tew's Company strives to provides an insight into the daily routine of the Revolutionary War soldier and his camp followers. Marching drills and the manual of arms are executed in accordance with regulations. As a flank company, Tew's also incorporates open order drill as did all of the Rhode Island Continentals. Meals are prepared over cooking fires using reproductions of the pots and kettles of the eighteenth century.