Thoughts on Manassas

[Milliron]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Just a thought to those fellas from the Liberty Rifles who put on the play. At the time you put it on I was played out and preparing to go to sleep up topside where it was cooler. I had a fever, but didn't know it yet, so I wasn't feeling very lively. I didn't see the play, but I heard every word of it, and I have to tell you in all of the soldier plays I've seen or heard (more than a few, remarkably), it was the best. I drifted off to the ending exclamation "Hurrah for the 2nd Mississip!" and a great roar from the crowd. I had to remind myself first that it was 2011, not 1861, then that I was at a big mainstream event, not an EBUFU event in some Tennessee hollow.

Thank you for the best moment I had at that event, and one I will not soon forget.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

And zoomed in...

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Want to know what our regiment looked like from the sky? We're the mostly red clad regiment angled to the left of the tree line. Photo Credit to Ruben Castilla of the Prince William Police Department:

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQARHVUf7sI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/

Have any of you seen this one? the 2nd Mississippi in formation marching by.

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Minor lost and found note - someone covered my surgical and medical supplies with what appeared to be a hand-made oilcloth. If you'd like it back (with my thanks) please contact me offlist at bluemasscat at yahoo dot com.

For those who rescued my medical stuff - still looking for my kit keys. There were two period keys on a small ring. Last I heard they were in my hat, but per our prior conversation it appears they might be with the QM stuff. You might check your pants pockets from the week of 7-25 - 7-30. I carefully looked through my stuff and did not find the keys.

Understandably I am reluctant to pop the lock on my original surgical kit, but if I have to, I will.

[Daniel]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Manassas as an event was a been a bit of a bust. I will not go into the negatives. What saved the event for me was being a member of the 2nd Mississippi. In my long association in the hobby, this regiment was the finest unit that I have been associated with. The leadership was outstanding from Col. Craddock on down to the individual privates. My company, Co. G, was well lead by Captain Petersburg who showed coolness (despite the heat) and professionalism. The NOCs help to run the unit smoothly and with humor. The commissary department was excellent. (Thank you guys for the precooked salt pork.) The wagon driver added to our experience. And the play on Saturday night was icing on the cake.

I am certainly grateful to the event organizers for planning for the worse. The water, ice and the EMTs were a blessing. Had it not been for their perparation more people would have had heatstroke or worse.

Dan Stewart

[Gordon Jones]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

I was disappointed that the 2nd Miss. wasn't there on Sunday, especially given the effort we had made to create our impressions, but I well understood why: dangerous heat and confusion over parking. As it turned out -- and unfortunately there was no way to know in advance -- neither proved an issue on Sunday.

I stayed offsite Saturday night in a farby air-conditioned house, but returned to the event site about 8:45 Sunday morning. The weather was mercifully cooler, with overcast skies and even a slight morning breeze.

Marvin Greer and I attempted access to the site from the north end of Pageland Lane (near registration), fully expecting to find the road closed and to be told by police to go take the spectator shuttle. Pageland was indeed closed (at Artemus Road I think), but the police very pleasantly directed us on 10-minute detour around to the south end of Pageland Lane (near Lee Highway and the Manassas NBP). Once there, we accessed the south end of the reenactor parking (under the power lines), finding plenty of parking just across the road from the southern edge of the "battlefield." In five minutes I was on the field -- nobody checked my wrist band; police and security staff were very polite. Likewise, when the event was over, I just walked to the car and was out of the parking lot in five minutes -- presto.

I wish event organizers had made it clear that this lot was open and would be accessible from the south entrance, even when the other two entrances were closed due to the spectator shuttle service, which was running north from that point. I always like to know as much as possible about event logistics beforehand, because that information helps you make informed decisions about participating, thus reducing headaches and increasing fun. Alas - we seldom know anything until we actually get to the event.

My sincere thanks to the Armory Guard for letting me and my comrades fight with you on Saturday; likewise to the 11th Mississippi for Sunday -- I had a great time! I even got to see some of my old pards from the Palmetto Battalion who saved my ass from the 100+ degree heat 25 years ago at this event.

Dum Spiro Spero
Gordon L. Jones

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Rich,
Those were very kind words. I've been out with the WIG for now 8 Events, each time I spend the next week wishing I was still there and looking forward to the next event that I can attend. I think so much to that is the "want-to" that many have under that command. Hope you can join us at Shiloh, the heat
may not be there but the "want-to" will.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Gents -

This was my first AC effort at a big eastern event. I've been on the forum and doing small local events and trying my best to learn, and this was my first opportunity to get out there and do it right at a major event. Though it was obviously going to be mainly a major mainstream effort, I did get hooked up with the 6th NC just to the west of you boys with the 2nd Miss and 4th Alabama. A nice spot in the woods, with a creek on my flank. The creek was a godsend. The welcome I received from the NC boys and from some of the others I met in our little AC section was first rate, so thank you boys for that.

It was quite a sight to see you Mississippi boys forming up and moving out towards the Colosseum. I stood in line with the TarHeels waiting to move out and was frankly awestruck when you all passed, company by company. I am learning my kit as things go, but I have to say I had "authenticity envy" just watching. It was really impressive. My father came down from PA to see the sights and was stunned to see rank after rank of AC coming out of the woods and down the road at him while he was trying to find me in camp. I have told him about this type of reenacting, but he has never seen it. The folks in the stands were stunned as well. You boys left quite an impression on everyone there. The amount of preparation and care you put into your kit was obvious. It was really something to see.

The heat was amazing. No doubt. I drove from New Mexico for the event, and thought I had a bit of a jump on heat conditioning. I am an avid exerciser and runner, and before the event I was running 4 - 4 1/2 miles in 105 (dry) degrees, but truthfully there was just no way to be adequately prepared for that kind of heat. It was genuinely oppressive. I threw down my pack, bedroll and fly and made a fire ring for coffee and bacon. Then I spent the balance of the event sweating. I have never sweated that much in my life, and at last count I went through 21 canteens of water in 3 days. But for me, the event was just fantastic. I am used to 20-30 guys showing up with beer coolers and hot dogs at events. I have never been part of a minimalist AC camp in the woods with upwards of 300-400 others, all of whom are genuine authentic-minded fellows. This is what I will remember about that event. Marching and burning powder is always a hoot, but the bivouac-style camping and lack of farb, just some bacon, coffee, biscuit, a little stew in the mucket, omnipresent ticks, pickets out and good fellows in camp was why I went. I was not disappointed in the least. I would do it again tomorrow.

There has been a lot of hoo-ha about bugging out and who left when, and who left what. I think that is probably natural considering all the preparation and expectations that went into this first major sesqui- event. The conditions played havoc with everyone's enjoyment and added its own stress and disappointment to everyone. As for me, I left when I was ready. That happened to be Saturday night. One of our pards went down with the heat on Sunday, so another night in camp with 4 hours of (sweaty) sleep followed by another morning formation and battle and then 3 more hours in the heat before we'd be allowed to get to our ride and start the trek back west was just out of the question. I think we all would have preferred more moderate weather. It would have made this a truly amazing event. As it was, it was memorable and I would not have missed it for the world.

Or maybe my wife is right. Like childbirth, I just have already forgotten what it really felt like!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing some of you at Shiloh.

VR.

[desotobob]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Mr Arliskas - sent you a PM about Shiloh.

[csuniforms]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Wow! I do wish I was there with all of you. I did all my military living history 25 years ago. I am proud of all of you in the 2nd Mississippi who made the effort to dress authentically and the other Comapnies and Regiments who believe in doing it the correct way. What I would like to see is someone do an article or pamphlet on the 150th Mannassas showing the care and devotion put forth by the living historians in portraying what the soldiers actually looked like! IT is very important that this type of activity is documented for yourselves and future Civil War newbies. God Bless you all'. Going to see my doctor Monday and see if I can get a youth pill to make me 23 again. I just turned 62. Maybe I can be a Tennessee farmer or preacher at Shiloh.

Tom Arliskas
CSuniforms

[acook]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Spellman,

Any chance you posted that video on Youtube? Rumor has it that Coffee filmed the entire thing...

Aaron Cook

[YankeeTiger]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

Thanks for posting! Hopefully we can find the rest somewhere...I know I'm not alone when I say that I want to hear "I'm a bear!" Just one more time....I also know I'm not alone when I say that you gents truly made a period moment for many of us and it was certainly one of if not THE highlight of the week/weekend for quite a few...so, again, Bravo!

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

For your perusal, the first fifteen minutes of our humble play.

And accompanying broadside (Photo by Pat Craddock).

Very sincerely, Your friend & Obdt Svt,

[cgoser]

Re: Thoughts on Manassas

To the men of the 2d Miss....my hats off to you. You all looked outstanding. I might daresay you looked too good for some of the accounts of the poorly uniformed and equipped regiment. You were truly a sight to behold. If I had not had the chance to do your sister regiment, the 11th Miss with our colors and two full companies as the original, I would have joined in a heartbeat.

To comment on the event, there is always a delicate balance of logistically supporting an event so that it comes off decent enough without becoming a "circus". There are always compromises and until I've "walked a mile", I refrain from developing a strong opinion. There is a difference between logistically planning an event and providing an experience. I believe the event organizers supported a great event. Nobody was seriously injured. As a progressive, I dropped packs with others and walked off the battlefield under heavy marching order on Sunday and never once waited in line exiting the parking lot. As someone planning and supporting an experience...well, I don't have to tell you guys that you knocked one out of the park. The compromise...one sometimes does adversely impact the other although, they don't have to be mutually exclusive. Keep up the good work. Keep chipping away at the rock, teaching others to bring this experience to their own personal hobby. I watched the period entertainment from a distance and did not intrude understanding the hard work you put into it. It truly was your moment. Good on you.

There were two other high points for me at the event which made it a great event for me. The mother who told me she could not believe that her 10 year old boy listened to me for 25 minutes straight. "He's never done that." Perhaps in 6-8 years, he will be one of the next campaigners. Here's hoping. The second was an accident on Sunday half way through the battle. I had a hang fire that cooked off while loading. The years of safety training and good NCOs came into play with no serious injury to myself or others other than some powder burns and a good tattoo on a couple of fingers. At first, I prayed "please let me have both my eyes". When I was able to open them, I looked down at my charred right hand (to find out later it was mostly powder residue) with almost panic. The first thing I saw when I looked up was my first sergeant and close personal friend with a look of shear horror having just witnessed it. When I told him I had my eyes and my hand was fine, I watched the terror drain away to relief. I swear we had a "moment" that had to be akin to something similar to the fear and relief that occurred with the boys of '61 at so many close calls with friends that many had grown up with. A "circus"? Maybe, but there are always good moments to be found in any situation. I never want to repeat it under any circumstance, nor wish it on someone else, but it's a snapshot in time similar to many at IPW, Backwaters, and Bummers that I will never forget, even at 150th Manassas....or as I've grown to call it, Dante's Seventh Ring of Hell.

Cheers, Boys!

Clay Goser
11th Miss Inft'y Regt, Company G