Bagpipes add Scottish history to Revolutionary War scene at Cantigny

Watching Tim Hess and his bagpipes march out onto the battlefield Saturday in support of the British Army, it seemed like somehow a scene out of "Braveheart" had been stitched into the history of the American Revolutionary War.

Hess, in the full kilt garb of the 42nd Royal Highland regiment, played his pipes in much the same way a drummer would keep time for the troop advance. It's believed the regiment, also known as the Black Watch, played a role in the British defeat of George Washington at the Battle of Long Island and several other engagements.

On Saturday, Hess was part of the British Army that lost the first battle of the day during a weekend of Revolutionary War re-enactments at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. As a narrator explained, the British troops made a critical flaw in leaving a large gap in the center of their force line.

Ultimately, the American forces outflanked the British, resulting in a British retreat and Americans claiming control over the vast majority of the battlefield.

The recreation did not reflect any actual or specific battle of the Revolutionary War. Rather, the contest was to demonstrate the military weapons and tactics of the age.

Hess explained the Scots were probably not fighting with the British out of any love for Great Britain. Scotland had its own issues with the empire. But serving in the British military allowed the Scots to speak their native language, wear their traditional kilts, and, yes, play the bagpipes.

All of those key aspects of their culture were outlawed during various points of British rule, Hess said.

Serving in the British army had its perks. Pipers earned a penny more than the average soldier. They answered only to top-level commanders. And, aside from the usual hazards of war and playing tunes for meals, marches and encampments, the pipers were pretty much free to do as they wished, Hess explained.

Hess, of Lake in the Hills, has been playing the bagpipes for about 15 years now.

"The secret of bagpipes is not huge lungs," he said. "It's having a good arm. It's all about the pressure, even pressure, you put on the bag."

And, as far as the question everyone always asks?

"Nothing," Hess said. "There's nothing under the kilt."

The re-enactments continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Cantigny Park.