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Thoughts on Manassas

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  • unclefrank
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    Very much how I feel about the whole experience Andrew. You said it well.

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  • AndrewMartin
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    Our crew left Saturday evening when we realized that our entire company was down to 2 officers… and 3 NCO’s… and 2 muskets. Or the 6 out of 7 of us that remained by 5pm Saturday evening for Company D, are the ones that rode together in the same vehicle. For me, it wasn’t any hotter than Pat’s Vicksburg event… nor was it even close to being more challenging than IPW. It simply came down to this and this alone… I could have stayed Saturday night, jammed my bayonet into my testicles and then proceeded to attempt the first act of “River dance” all the while laying speared to the ground, just to wake up to do the same battle, in the same environment, with same amount of garbage going on around us as the scenarios are concerned. While having nothing more to look forward to… then getting wrapped up into a parking lot that had the size of a possum’s pee-hole to get out of. But fighting 5000 other reenactors trying to get out as well in order to begin and load up their own versions of Harry Potter’s magical tents made my decision easy. Nah, I had enough fun in the center ring of the circus as it was on Saturday. Maybe my expectations for the event were a bit much and that’s my fault but the battlefield, the actual battle, the entire site in general left me ready to walk. As I mentioned before; just like ramming a bayonet in my testicles, staying at the event past that point Saturday evening would have accomplished little, and ultimately been a huge pain in the arse for me that I concluded just wasn’t worth it.
    The 2nd Mississippi did exceed ALL of my expectations and was absolutely great. Impressive across the board from the top down! If the event itself could have only come close to what everyone associated with the 2nd MS did, I imagine all of us would have thought it worthwhile to chump through Sundays battle and afterwards march out in formation with bayonets fixed to what would be the REAL battle of the Manassas… the Parking lot and what we thought would be carmagedan.
    Cody, I think the petticoats issue can wait for another event…. And yes there will be another future event down the road where petticoats should be issued en mass on this website, due to the guys falling out for because of weather, or want of food, or some other weak reason…. but this event is not one of those times.
    No one, or at least no one that lives more than an hour away from Manassas should feel wrong about leaving early…. and be lectured or belittled about where each of us spent our evening that Saturday night by anyone that stayed the entire time or that didn’t attend. I’ve given more than my fair share to this hobby, and have marched enough miles in locations far from Northern Indiana long enough that anyone that knows me, will know that there hasn’t been an event I’ve walked away from because it too much to take physically, or that I was too hungry, tired, or hot at. With that being said… I’ll be damned if people will look differently at myself and others because of a Saturday exodus from a farby mainstream Manassas event! Get a grip if anyone decides to rip on the 2nd Mississippi for this one. Just my own 3 cents worth.
    Last edited by AndrewMartin; 07-25-2011, 03:17 PM. Reason: kant spel or tipe

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  • Soldat49thNY
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    The event was crazy hot, to be sure, but our company went into it with our eyes open and prepared for it as best we could. We lost only one on Saturday due to heat but he was back on Sunday. We then had 5 leave Saturday night. What could have made it much more bearable is if the water lines could have been covered with pine bark mulch or something like it so that the drinking water wouldn't have been so ridiculously warm during the hottest part of the day. Its tough to keep hammering on guys to keep hydrated when the drinking water is warm as (insert your own descriptive term here). Kudos to the volunteers in the med tents who worked so hard cooling down the guys who were teetering on the edge. They saved many a serious heat situation from becoming a major health issue.
    I still shake my head in wonder how the original cast could have done that under real conditions without all the benefits that we had... an absolutely amazing feat and they command my respect now more than ever.

    Dan Wilkosz
    49th NYVI Co. B

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  • DougCooper
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    25 years ago at the 125th Manassas the members of my future unit said much the same thing - they hoped it would never, ever be that hot again. But it was hotter this time. Like 1987, they hung in there again till the end on Sunday. In talking with them this morning, the EMT's they spoke to said that 11 reenactors of the 140+ treated had to be transported, the rest treated and released on site (AC tents really helped).

    I have no idea what happened to the 2nd MS (or the other units that left), but my old comrades did well, enjoyed the spectacle and opined that the impressions were MUCH better this time, with more work put into the 1861 impressions. One unit was entirely dressed as Corcoran's Legion, another 1st Minnesota, Regulars, Marines (about 60 of them) and still another the Fire Zouaves. Must have been grand to see...and confusing. One fun incident I gather was the capture of Matt Woodburn by the 1st Minnesota. Too many red shirts out there :).

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  • Rmhisteach
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    My clothes skipped ripe and went straright to spolied!

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  • highpvt
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    Got in around 9:00 Friday night. Wandering around for nearly 2hrs before we found out that the fellas we were to have fallen in with (artillery) had bugged out earlier that day. Oops....!!
    Not having brought full infantry kits, we popped in and out of the lines during the battle catching up with old friends. THAT made it worthwhile!

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  • ohpkirk
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    I posted the quote because of it's context and in response to crpljohnivey. I was not questioning the reasons of any of the participants, all are grown men and can do as they please.

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  • YankeeTiger
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    Cody, unless you were in the 2nd's camp at the time the decisions, announcements were made, and unless yoou know for fact the reasons why individuals left, I would refrain from posting such broad stroking foolish banter...no matter how historical the context of the quote may or may not be.

    Then again that's just me..and we are all free to do as we please
    -Cheers brother.

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  • ohpkirk
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    Originally posted by cprljohnivey View Post
    Whats up with the 2nd Mississippi bugging out Saturday night to a man...
    [HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 28, 1863,

    Wanted.

    All ladies in Houston and surrounding counties who have cloth on hand, which they can spare, are requested to donate it to the ladies of Crockett for the purpose of making petticoats for the Minute Men of this county, who have "backed out" of the service. We think the petticoat more suitable for them in these times.

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  • The Lonely Reenactor
    replied
    Re: Thoughts on Manassas

    I,myself,had an excellent time. It was quite the honor to be givin the opportunity to assist in bugling for the 2nd Mississippi. It was absolutely phenominal to look down the line of the regiment during the battle when firing by the drum! WOW!! My hat is off to ALL of you fine fellows in the 2nd! From the officers all the way down to the commissary department,just wonderful. A special thank you to Chad Grey for allowing me the opportunity to be able to work with you,sir. Looking forward to serving you ALL once again at Shiloh.

    Marty Rubin
    2nd Mississippi,Co. B
    Independent Volunteers

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