Thoughts on Manassas

[roundshot]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

To the gent that did the repro of the Henry Davenport jacket, that is just priceless! Wonderful work.
Doug, how anyone could interpret your comments as anything other than positive and complimentary simply escapes me. I enjoyed the photos, and being and old guy who knows my limits, I appreciate seeing them.

[DougCooper]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Read what I said Jim - my comments are totally based on friends telling me exactly how they felt, including seeing the 2nd MS at the event. These friends had a good event, if a bit hot. I have no reason to think they were fibbing. Likewise folks I talked to were totally impressed with the 69th, 1st Minn and Fire Zouaves, among others.

[GWagner]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Don't know about what you were seeing Jim, but the 69th New York in all it's glory was worth seeing when we crested Henry House Hill after the lull. Great job. Hate I didn't get to see you.

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Never mind...I was mistaken.

[DougCooper]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Gang the photos are fabulous...especially the last one of the battalion loading - in fact all authentic units should use it as a "before and after" photo, if you get my drift ;) Sometimes the best seats in the house are held by the troops on the opposite side of the field. The 2nd MS made the experience of the Fire Zouaves, 1st Minn, etc that much better.

To say nothing of the potential recruiting value.

From talking to long time comrades who were there, this event sounds like another good example of why great leadership is so important at big events. You can't control the heat, stupid traffic and parking lot rules (what were the organizers thinking?), etc...but you can control what your command can do while taking care of the men.

From the photos...it just looks hot, with the hazy Virginia humiture thing we love so much...and why the hobby has migrated from primary Summer to primary Spring and Fall since the 125th.

[desotobob]

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Seeing the pics makes me proud of being part of 2nd MS, Co. C.. Gentlemen, we looked good. Sorry I missed the Saturday PM play, but I did get a nice thank-you from the g-g-great-grandaughter of Henry Fitzhugh Lee, who was at the Pringle House after the battle. See you gents in the field soon.

[Pvt. Sanders]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Well I can now say for the rest of my life I survived the 150th Battle of Manassas. I can honestly say I was close to reaching my breaking point several times, but with the constant support of officers and a will to see the thing through helped me make it to the end. The battle Saturday was rough for the GVB , not one man fired more than five rounds. The heat and not being allowed to fight Saturday created 40% casualties in the GVB. However my regiment held strong and became the home of several men left without companies Sunday morning. The battle Sunday was a huge improvement and made the trip worth it. The routing of the Union Army, Stuarts Clavary charge, kicking over a snake rail fence while executing a right wheel to hit the flank of the retreating Zouves and then ending with a canister hit brought one long weekend to an end. The heat, the wonderful uniforms, seeing old friends and making new ones will make the 150th Battle of Manassas a hard one to forget. Robert you arent kidding, Id take Atl drivers any day over the drivers I experienced trying to get outta Virginia.

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Thanks for sharing those Pic's Aaron! I actually see my big grape in one! Lol

[Wild Rover]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

You know every rose has its thorn...sorry had to type that, but the 2nd and the entire brigade looked great...there were some bumps on the road, of course there are will always will be, BUT the fact we had over 900 progressives in one brigade, organized and on the field, is a huge accomplishment.
Could have things been better, of course!
But we have to be careful that we do not lose the focus in what we accomplished.

Are there things to chat about off line, duh...its an event, always will be.

And folks need to realize it is a damned if you do, damned if you dont thing will you undertake the effort and put your, well, you know, on the line.

So kudos for Skip, Matt and Pat for putting this thing together, we willbe chatting soon,

Pards,

[shubal]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

one from Picasa of the 2nd loading.
Consult your drill manuals.

[Pious Jeems]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Great time in the 2nd Mississippi camp, hats off to the performers, "Winters over," "I'm a bear," and King Lincoln! The gent who did the servant in camp and on the field is to be commend. Can't wait till Shiloh in the Spring. After all these years when the hair stood on my neck at various times, you know there is still something special happening!

[YankeeTiger]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Found a few shots on flikr of the 2nd in formation..dang we looked good

[bull]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

I have been in this hobby since 1977, I have been lucky enough to have been in or served with some of the best units in the history of this hobby. I got into the Mudsills early and have watched the authentic movement grow and mature over time. I was at the first big Gettysburg in 83. I have been at many events from the mega to small NPS living historys. I have done some specility impressions and been in some 10 company regiments. This is the first time I have seen a full regiment speciality impression. This was carried out buy a group of people who were from all over the country and don't usually work together. The result was unbelieveable, the impression was almost flawless, the effort by such a diverse group was exceptional. The fact that the unit moved as well as it did on the field with no chance to drill before the battle says alot about the people who made up this unit. Hats off to everybody who helped organize this effort. Thing at the event went wrong. What did we expect. You take an open field in the middle of the open country and fill it with thousands of reenactors, their cars, cannons' animals and anything but the kitchen sink. Then you add thousands of spectators and crank up the heat to108 or 106 or whatever hot as hell is. I thought that the thing went off pretty well considering the situation. I have never seen an event sponsor put in that much infrastructure and have it that well staffed by professional people. It's a shame that there was some poor communication. I work at a small branch of a medium size company. With all our structure we seem to be able to generate lots of bad communication. Those who participated in the 2nd Mississippi should be proud of the result. I look forward to next years big effort. Hopefully experience will help us with next years event Hopefully the weather will be better. But one thing is almost certain.We will put together another fine regiment at Shiloh. William Horn

[The Maryland Line]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

The three men who "stuck around" were F company men of the Liberty Rifles. Who were woken up to some pretty hard comments and having our fire put out when coffee was needed but pitched into cleaing up anyways. Who cares though, cause that was the best regiment I have ever been apart of.

Yeah, aside from having our fire doused and our roasting ears thrown into garbage bags on Sunday morning...I had a great time. Seriously, 2 MISS was awesome. Can't wait for Balls Bluff.

[Pvt. Lewis]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Despite the heat and carnival atmosphere (both of which I expected), I personally had a bully time. 'Twas fun to see some old acquaintances and meet some new pards. To the officers in Co.C, I say THANK YOU for looking out for all of us rank and file, from the ice to the decision to skate out early. I applauded the early exit as my flight back to CO would NOT have happened having to had stayed at the event site until mid-to-late afternoon on Sunday. Looking forward to Shiloh.

Mark, I agree. Gentlemen, as a new recruit I was honored to fight alongside you all. There were ups and downs, but that was to be expected. Doing things like this really puts things into perspective. I thank you all for the oppourtunity to do this and look forward to further adventures. Words can't describe everything I experienced with the good men of the 2nd Mississippi. Best wishes to you all, and I'll see you at the top! Huzzah!