First Mad RIver Light Artillery

The First Mad River Light Artillery was founded in 2003 to participate in the 225th commemoration of the Battle of Peckuwe, fought August 8, 1780, between George Rogers Clark, with 1000 Kentucky militia and Virginia Regulars, and the Shawnee leader Catahecasa, "Black Hoof", with approximately 400 Native troops. The battle is the largest battle of the American Revolution fought west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the battlefield is located 5 miles west of the present city of Springfield, Ohio, at the current site of the George Rogers Clark Historic Park.

The FMRLA is composed of members from the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association, the Clark County Park District, a local government entity that owns the George Rogers Clark Park, as well as the reproduced light 6 pounder field gun that is the focus of our unit, and the National Trail Parks and Recreation District.

    While the organization is named as an artillery unit, we are a combined arms force, and in addition to the 6 pounder (as well as several member-owned pieces), we also have a unit of Infantry, and a troop of Dragoons.

    The FMRLA is a multi-era unit, participating in events from the Jacobite Rebellion to the War of 1812, with a focus on the American Revolution, and the use of the original light 6 pounder by Colonel Clark at the battle. The name of our organization reflects our geographic location, our home park being but 1/4 mile north of the Mad River in Clark County, Ohio.

    We are a progressive, family-oriented military unit with strong ties to a predominantly civilian historic and reenactment organization. We have members from a variety of backgrounds and professions, including members of the Armed Forces of the United States, university educators, manufacturing, skilled trades, law enforcement, the judiciary, and local government. Our goal is to provide both the experienced reenactor and the novice the opportunity to participate in the hobby, as well as to learn more about military life in the 18th and early 19th centuries, all while giving the public the opportunity to be educated in the history of this nation.