Shiloh AAR

[Moonshine]

Thank you to all who had a part in pulling this off. The minutiae and copious amounts of logistics work speaks volumes to the replies posted here so far.

Speaking of fun....can we do it again...can we...can we??? Let me heal my heels first though!!!

005.JPG006.JPG

[Alexander Vasquez]

Reading all these postings, looking at the pictures, and watching the videos posted--our "Shiloh" is one of the more memorable experiences we can look back on. About five hours from now, 150 years ago, memories of a very different sort will start to be made at that landing in Tennessee. The Iowa General Assembly today had a member of the House and Senate each give pretty emotional pleas to the citizens of Iowa to set aside some time tomorrow to remember Iowa's sacrifices at Shiloh; all of us late of the 15th, regardless of where we came from in the real world, can look to the direction of Pittsburg Landing a little after sunrise tomorrow morning with a different perspective than we did a week ago.

Alexander Vasquez
Late of Co. C, 15 IA

[dirtyshirt]

Reading all these postings, looking at the pictures, and watching the videos posted--our "Shiloh" is one of the more memorable experiences we can look back on. About five hours from now, 150 years ago, memories of a very different sort will start to be made at that landing in Tennessee. The Iowa General Assembly today had a member of the House and Senate each give pretty emotional pleas to the citizens of Iowa to set aside some time tomorrow to remember Iowa's sacrifices at Shiloh; all of us late of the 15th, regardless of where we came from in the real world, can look to the direction of Pittsburg Landing a little after sunrise tomorrow morning with a different perspective than we did a week ago.

Alexander Vasquez
Late of Co. C, 15 IA

Alex,
Perhaps our many letters to Des Moines weren't ignored after all???

[dirtyshirt]

Scott Garrett told me yesterday that when the 15th Iowa emerged from the treeline there was an ohhhhhhhhhh from the rebel ranks. He was a one star on the other side and had made many of the 125th onward. Said he had never seen a sight like that!

Dean, there have been more videos popping up. One fella says we're an "effing" mile long!

[BrianHicks]

Attachment 38224 Attachment 38225

These are a couple of my favorite shots. I believe these were taken by Brian Hicks brother ( ? )

You are correct sir. The Photographer was Mike Hicks.

[Huck]

It funny hearing the comments on the videos, about the size of us.

[Union Navy]

A few more boat images.
Shiloh 2012 038.jpgShiloh 2012 013.jpgShiloh 2012 014.jpgShiloh 2012 017.jpgShiloh 2012 019.jpgShiloh 2012 020.jpgShiloh 2012 032.jpgShiloh 2012 033.jpgShiloh 2012 034.jpgShiloh 2012 037.jpg

[LejeuneMarine]

I want to put my two cents in here as well. As to the organizers.... gentlemen... this was my best event in almost 25 years of reenacting! Thank you for the countless hours that you put in to making the experience (for hundreds of like minded reenactors) nothing short of amazing!
I can tell you that for the first time in years... after an event, we spent sunday night in a hotel looking at pictures and recounting the experiences of the past weekend instead of just heading home and putting the gear away. Over the next few days, many of us in Company G spent time on the phone still talking about the weekend. I just love it when the fire is stoked for experienced reenactors that have let that fire die over time. Even at work (Marine Corps), I have had many Marines that I am on Facebook with, tell me how cool the pictures looked and ask a number of questions.
I hope that this past weekend does a couple of things...
1. Restore some of the spirit in the hobby (both in the authentic community and mainstream). If immitation is the sincerest form of flattery... then we should see some of the streamers work to replicate what they saw and we will all benefit.
2. Next, recruitment... I have no doubt that many of those streamers that saw what was possible with hard work, may see that they may not be able to change their unit but desire to find out about how to be a part of something better.
3. Inspire us to take it even father. Who doubts that we can do this again and even take it the next step. What is that next step?... we are all thinking of ideas... so lets capture these ideas and share them... you never know what might happen.
4. Finally (and most important) this past weekend built pride and comraderie that is difficult to have with a group of men from all over the country that only work together every so often. Foster these relationships! I know that from my personal experiences in the Corps... this is the key to a GREAT unit!
I look forward to seeing everyone again... and I really mean that from the bottom of my heart!
Semper Fi,
Mike Pretus

[Jim of The SRR]

What has not been mentioned here and what has been so great with this effort is this: So, many people from acorss the progressive spectrum of the hobby came together and set aside personailty, political and even hobby sterotypes to form this battalion and make it a success. There were men who have years of experienece as c/p/h reenactors all the way to men who were even at their first event. I hope that many of the progressive guys who dont usually do c/p/h events will see that the bad sterotypes about c/p/h reenactors are not true and we can all work together and have a great time and do it right. I challenge each of you to keep up this trend and continue to up your own personal bar and continue to support and cooperate in future efforts like this. Expand yoru horizons to not only awesome adjuncts like this, bt take part in immersive, c/p/h events and living histories. You proved you can do it and do it well! I look forward to seeing you all again throughout the 150ths!
It was my honor to serve with all of you!

Jim Butler
Company E - 15th Iowa
SCAR

[PetePaolillo]

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...4&d=1333719444

Bob, Above is the exact spot I made my place on the boat on the first cruise to the landing. watching the flag blow in the wind against the moonlit sky, hearing the paddles hitting the water, seeing the darkened shore in the distance, not knowing what was ahead, was just magical. It lulled me to sleep for a bit ,but it also made me choke up to think of what those men 150 years ago were thinking as they headed into the unknown. It was one of the fondest memories of the event for me. A week later and I am still floating. Remember the real 15th and 16th Iowa and all others who sacraficed so much these next two days. Below are a couple images that Adam Clark took of the Boat and one of River at dawn, quite possibly around the same time the 15th Iowa landed 150 years ago today.


293025_3631140382279_1387200321_3482427_1640798391_n.jpg

416740_3616764818857_1265966403_33647544_1422388442_o.jpg