Back from Campaign

[US Scout]

I have the honor to report my return.

Thanks to Bvt Colonel Davenport (PITSPITR) for filling in during my absence. 

Part of my trip involved a trip to Gettysburg with a group of SASS folks.  The men wore uniforms and the ladies period dresses - for the most part.  We toured the battlefield for over six hours during two days, plus visited several museums.  In the evenings we had dinner at historic restaurants, and on the last day, President Lincoln addressed us.  Downside was that it was HOT and HUMID.  On the first day, the heat index was about 107 - not a good day to be wearing wool.  We also visited Antietam and Harper's Ferry one day.

A cruise on the American Queen down the Ohio followed.  Again, most of us wore period clothing.  One evening we dressed up in Civil War uniforms, and I wore a uniform for the Captain's Dinner the last evening. 

Most of the group favored the cavalry, though we had one who was artillery.  I typically wore infantry, artillery and Marine - and favored both the North and the South.

I also managed to recruit at least three new members to the GAF, and expect a few more to follow.  I'll get their names added to the roster shortly.

We will probably do another riverboat cruise in 2009, so anyone who'd like to join us in showing the colors is more than welcome.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Pitspitr]

Sounds like a great time. Glad you're safley back.

Things have been quiet here in The Barracks, so nothing much to report.

[Silver Creek Slim]

A good time indeed. Glad yer back safe and sound, sir.

Slim

[RattlesnakeJack]

Welcome back, General!

Trust I'll be seeing you at Muster next week?

[US Scout]

Thanks Jack.

Unfortunately, I have to put my .50-70 Sharps carbine back in the safe and wait for another chance next year.

A few months back the Secretary of the Navy decided he needed a briefing from me.  Usually I do it in May or July but this year it shifted into September.  I was hoping it'd be either early or late in the month but its been scheduled for Thursday- and I have to be at US Central Command (in Florida, not the Sand Box) on the following Monday. 

Initially  I considered flying out to the Muster on Friday morning but I'd have to return Saturday in order to fly out again on Sunday.   I was going to be cutting it pretty fine to do all that - and lately the airlines have too unreliable.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Dusty Tagalon]

So who will be in charge at the muster?

Dusty

[US Scout]

Sgt Drydock is also unable to attend, so we've asked Pitspitr to take charge.

I've no doubts he'll do a fine job - even when its been imposed at almost the last minute.

I'm looking forward to my retirement so I don't have to worry about briefing flag officers when I'd rather be out shooting.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Top Kick Ken]

Welcome back, sir.

Trips to hallowed ground such as Gettysburg and Antietam always evoke so much emotion.  I look forward to revisiting those places again.  To be in period attire, with like-minded individuals, on a riverboat...that would suspend disbelief and almost transport ones self back in time

Glad to hear the trip was successful and productive.

Top Kick Ken   

[RattlesnakeJack]

General:

Darn!  I was very much looking forward to again attempting (probably in vain) to "outshine" you at the Banquet!   

It is my plan/hope to arrive at the site no later than the afternoon of Thursday, September 13, and will report in to Col. Pitspitr with a view to lending whatever poor assistance I can.

[US Scout]

The river boat cruise was an anniversary present the wife and I gave each other this year, so it was fun to get away for a few days (my son wasn't happy about it though), dress up in period attire and socialize with like-minded friends.  

Ellsworth Kincaid usually arranges a pre-cruise and post-cruise trip for these adventures, for those that want to do it.  This year we did Gettysburg and Antietam as our pre-cruise trip.  Since I'm only an hour and a half from each location I did a lot of the recon for him to find out where to go, what to do, etc.  That was also fun in its own right.  The initial plan was to do the trip in October when it would have been a bit cooler, but the boat's schedule had much to do with when we actually went.

We had an outstanding licenced guide who spent over six hours with us on the Gettysburg Battlefield, and about three hours at Antietam.  He is writing a book on George Meade so had many stories to tell.  Being the biggest CW and military buff (historian!) on the bus, he and I enjoyed chatting about a variety of topics relating to the war, the battle, and the 19th C. military in general.  

I've been to both sites many times, but always find it a thrill to return.  To walk the ground and imagine the human contest that took place is very stirring.  I usually do so with a map in one hand, and eye-witness accounts in the other, and it surely beats reading about it in an armchair at home.  One of my most profound experiences was at Beecher's Island some years back, but there have been similar experiences at other places.  At Gettysburg, I tend to gravitate to the areas where the US Regulars fought in Plum Run Valley, and the 2nd US Sharpshooters on Big Round Top and on the flank of Chamberlain's 20th Maine at Little Round Top.  But sometimes I trace other units.

The group - about 15 couples - enjoyed dressing up on the boat though some of the other passengers weren't sure how to take us.  Some thought we were actors hired by the company, but most liked seeing us all dressed up - saying it added to the ambiance.  At Gettysburg I dressed up in uniform - only proper I think - but on the boat I wore more of a "gambler" rig except for the two evenings where I wore a uniform to dinner.  

If anyone would like to make one of these trips, let me know and I'll provide the details.  Ellsworth normally holds a trip each year but I've only managed to make two trips - two years apart.  They ain't cheap, and the dates don't always match my work schedule.  In Oct 2008 he is going to have a railroad trip in the Canadian Rockies, and in 2009 he is planning to do another river boat cruise, this time down the upper Mississippi (St Paul to St Louis).

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[US Scout]

Darn!  I was very much looking forward to again attempting (probably in vain) to "outshine" you at the Banquet!   

Jack,

And I was looking forward to you doing so!  I have a new uniform that I had planned to wear last year - and then this year - so it'll have to wait for next year.  It won't outshine yours, but it may outrank you!

By the way, I was "bragging" on you on my river boat cruise.  There was a discussion about wearing a kilt for CAS - and I related how you not only wore one while shooting (though there were times when you were mounting/dismounting the horse that don't need to be remembered), but looked equally impressive at the Banquet. 

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[RattlesnakeJack]

Thanks for the kind words, General!

My field uniform this year is of a lowly corporal (likely rank ... insignia not yet affixed) of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, circa 1885 - not as resplendent (er, ... gaudy?) perhaps, but hopefully a great deal more practical for action shooting!

I haven't got a new (as in different) dress uniform (... so far, at least ...  ) and thus will be kilted for the banquet ... mind you, I have acquired a few more suitable bits towards completing that impression ...

[Dusty Tagalon]

My uniform is ready, corporal in the infantry, as to 7th Illinois or 7th Connecticut depends whether or not my Spencer comes in.

Dusty