ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Fellas, I'd like to apologize for pulling out of the event early... Next I would like to thank the guys who made this event possible. Mark, Ken and many others I do not know made this event possible for all of us to come out and play.

Chad Green and I have ridden together for several years (and our horses are pasture mates), so when his mare came up lame we thought it best to get her home and looked at by the shoer or vet. As I understand it she will be fine with a bit of R&R as if winter wasn't enough! I regret not being able to offer “The Generic Authentic Federal Impression”, but I’m not sure everyone who attended this event is ready for an authentic Federal impression when some of the Confederate impressions are not where they should be. There were many very respectable impressions at the event, none of the A/C guys I saw were lacking, but we were the minority. Over all it was a very enjoyable time, with some great opportunities to learn and some opportunities to improve…

Things I saw that were really wrong for our time period:
1) a modern two tone blue saddle blanket ridden alone
2) a red canvas topped felt pad 9ridden under a 1859 saddle blanket
3) a red bristle nylon brush
4) a pair of men’s zippered slacks modified so as to appear to be fall front trousers
5) white painter pants that looked like women’s pantaloons from the rear
6) several pair of "Wah-Maker" cowboy action pants, complete with belt loops
7) modern bandanas tied about the head pirate style
8) Indian Wars era feed bags
9) McClellan saddles other than 59’s
11) Several non period saddles
10) Many, many, many bad hats

I’m sure that you all saw stuff too, maybe more; BUT I AM NOT condemning this event. On the contrary this is a starting place! From here we move forward. In the words of General George Patton "We are advancing constantly... Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy.” We can be as authentic as we choose to be or we can turn a blind eye. If we are to carry the mantle of authentic, we should do our level best to walk the walk and talk the talk…. Just my thoughts and observations.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Guys,

I had a great time seeing you all even if it was a short time for me. I enjoyed helping the officers at the pay call and Art and Jerry at the commissary. It was a small world to discover that Mike Ventura and I are from the same home town in Indiana and went to the same high school. I really enjoyed sharing a little info with you all Sunday morning about handguns. Thanks for the opportunity to do that. I look forward to getting more saddle time when I can and seeing all of you in the field. Now, anyone for some green tea?

[Jerry Ross]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Mark and Ken,
I want to thank y'all again for putting on this event. Y'all are preaching and teaching to the masses and using some of the finest minds found in the hobby to help. This was not an easy task ,but you delivered it from the heart in a very positive manner. What you have done this weekend is trying to make a POSITIVE change in the hobby to those who need much help with many aspects .Being a teacher or a preacher is not easy and you don't always reach every student or sinner to save them from their down falls . But if you can change a few it is well worth the attempt. Again thank you for trying to improve this hobby in positive atmosphere!

Yes, there are problems out there at this event with fellas gear,weapons,uniforms and horses.(Zack you hit the ones I was thinking about also.) We all fall short some where. I have my own sins too...I could lose some pounds .

How can we get them to change if they don't learn the lessons from these great presenters?

Maybe one on one tutoring away from the crowds? Point out the errors of kit and and show them individually where they can get it fixed.

Ask the fellas to drop one item for just this weekend? example extra pistol,spare cylinders,ear ring,pirate bandana, super bowl sweat shirt.

Change is hard and feelings get hurt when this happens. It would not be the positive message that was first given..

Mark and Ken again thanks for attempting this very hard mission for the hobby.

[Barry Smithson]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Jerry,

I am the one that was guilty of the sweatshirt. I got it out Saturday night after pulling vidette. I had just gotten out of the hospital from pneumonia and was freezing. I was pulling out Sunday morning and just collecting my gear to load and roll so I did not take it off. I did not wear it at any other point during the event. Sorry if it broke the moment for anyone.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

I have a question: who is ultimately responsible to enforce the standards? The officers? The event organizers? The LTs and sergeants? Maybe we don't want to offend anyone by saying "that's just not right," but one or two items that may seem "small" to you are "big" to the rest of us. Barry - YES - your Super Bowl sweatshirt was totally out of place. Cold? Wrap yourself in a blanket! As Jerry stated above, the guy with the pirate earring or the non-period bandana "do" rag, the non-period glasses, the SUNglasses, modern watches and a few bracelets...C'Mon!!!

While I hope some things change, I watched some guys walk out of a class of instruction that specifically preached "NO" to some re-enactorisms that they exhibited, yet they didn't drop the gear. As long as "we" show up with bad hats, brass heart breast straps, too many pistols, etc. the overall image won't change.

What's wrong with the NCOs going down the line in the parking loot before moving out to camp and telling 4 out of 5 guys to drop their pistols??

Maybe a couple of inspectors to really "inspect" before taking the field at next year's COI?

As I mentioned to someone off-forum prior to this event, why even have standards if you aren't willing to enforce them??

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Guys,

I had a great time seeing you all even if it was a short time for me. I enjoyed helping the officers at the pay call and Art and Jerry at the commissary. It was a small world to discover that Mike Ventura and I are from the same home town in Indiana and went to the same high school. I really enjoyed sharing a little info with you all Sunday morning about handguns. Thanks for the opportunity to do that. I look forward to getting more saddle time when I can and seeing all of you in the field. Now, anyone for some green tea?

Hey Matt, thanks for not including how many decades separated us at that high school! ;-)

[IowaYank]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

What's wrong with the NCOs going down the line in the parking loot before moving out to camp and telling 4 out of 5 guys to drop their pistols??

Maybe a couple of inspectors to really "inspect" before taking the field at next year's COI?

As I mentioned to someone off-forum prior to this event, why even have standards if you aren't willing to enforce them??

Amen!!! I said a couple times last weekend that I wished we could line guys up and take the stuff they don't need off them and just throw it all in a pile in front of them.........then take that pile, sell it all, and buy some good gear!!! Impressions need to be criticed, but people just need to have thick skins and realize to not take it personally!! If someone has a critic of any of my impressions or suggestions on how to improve it I am all ears!!!!!

[Barry Smithson]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Sorry Mike,
I will not attend again as I seem to have ruined everyone's experience. I probably should have stayed home since I was sick but I wanted to learn. I guess the rest of my gear and impression does not count nor my willingness to learn. BTW...It is a little hard to pack when wrapped in a blanket.

I came home with a good feeling and learned a lot. I enjoyed myself. I learned what I need to do to improve. Next time I will not be there unless I am 100% in health.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Barry - Take heed of what Dan wrote above. This isn't about YOU personally. I'm sure you are a good guy. But, if anyone is going to improve, you have to be able to take positive criticism. I started doing cav more than a dozen years ago and rode for one hard-a$$ed commander - as did Guy Musgrove, Tommy Jackson, Jerry Ross, Scott Little, Patrick Peterson and a bunch of other guys who I credit with outstanding impressions today. We were called out at every event and had to justify our kit, whether in the parking lot or in the field. I got more than my fair share of criticism. It was no fun being dressed down in front of your friends, but we all learned that there is no gray area between right and wrong. You are either one or the other. I carry those lessons to this day, and credit that commander for making my impression much better. It's not perfect, and never will be, but I strive to get a little better each time out.

"We" as a group don't start to get better until we learn to take the "generalities" and make them "specifics." I have watched a couple of guys who were there this weekend progress over the past year or so. They went from mainstream - or worse - impressions to the point where one was lauded as "Outstanding Trooper" at the CoI. These guys took positive criticism and have worked to make themselves better. And, by doing so, make us all better.

I will be disappointed if I don't see you there next year.

[Mike Ventura]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

One more pet peeve - guys who roll the bill of their kepi or forage cap like a modern baseball cap. Virtually all of the period photos I've seen show that these hats were worn with the bills flattened as they were manufactured. The rolled bill is a modern cultural affectation. The style of the day was to perhaps wear that cap at a jaunty angle on the head (this became much more pronounced in WWII).

What have I resolved to do to improve my impression? More brogans than boots. Fewer traps. Rounds in my pocket or haversack. Drop the pistol. Lose 20 pounds! Get a civilian saddle for my CS impression (I ride a Texas now).

OK, stepping down from the soap box now.

[Old-South]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Gents,
I don't where to start and there isn't much more to say that has not already been said on this thread. It was great to finally meet Tommy, Dan, Barry and Zack Z and to see some of my friends in the 7th.

Personally I want to thank Patrick Peterson for graciously opening up his home to us and our prayers are with you and Linda. Pete has been my Obi Wan in this hobby. It was tough not having him with us. I really enjoyed the company of Jason, Guy and Tommy. Thanks for coming along!
Tommy and Guy, You guys are a blast to be around. Thanks for letting me tag along and also showing me the Jedi ways.

Of course, kudos to Mark, Ken, Mike V, Art, Jerry, Ronnie and everyone who made this happen. WOW!

I had a very uneventful trip back until Cordele, Ga. When a car came up along side honking their horn and yelling at me. Thinking I may have had a flat tire, I pulled off at the next exit which, fortunately was right there. I pulled in to check the tires and smelled smoke! Fire and Tire sound very much alike at 70 mph. I opened the side door to the trailer to find my auxiliary battery and the far wall of the trailer on fire. I managed to extinguish the fire with an old blanket and 3 bottles of water. All the while, my horse, Rocky was looking at me like nothing had happened. "Are we home yet" was the look I got from him. Amazing horse. Once the fire was out and the battery and electrical things were removed from the trailer, I saw where both my Wambaugh Confederate blankets and my Bender hat were damaged by the fire. I think I will be able to trim the blankets and continue to use them but the hat was a loss as well as my water barrel, power inverter and power strip. Looking back, I am grateful that was all that was damaged! It could have been much worse.
Upon further examination, I found that one of my small Coleman propane cans had fallen out of the nose of the trailer on top of the battery across both terminals and had shorted it out. the heat from the short melted through the can. I am suprised that it didnt' explode but bacame a "torch" on top of the battery. One of the lugs from the battery was welded to the can. That was how I determined what had happened.
I hope everyone had a safe boring return trip home. I am thankful that my horse and I are home and safe! Thanks Jason Klug for assisting in the fire fighting duties!

[bamabubba]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Gentlemen:

Please see this link to photographs of the event. These photos were taken by the "21st Century" photographers that showed up Saturday morning. I was only shooting film for a museum project in Alabama about Streight's 1863 raid. Yesterday at the Alabama state archives I held the sword that Streight surrendered to Forrest. Way cool!

http://1861project.com/franklin

[Paul L Muller]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Since the event I have already ordered a much better hat, changed my watch chain and added a watch key, I took out my brogans that I hav'nt worn since 2008 and fitted them with a set of origanal english spurs, put my saber belt into storage , and removed about 8 items from my kit that won't be put back in, and am going to get a drum canteen. The group I ride with are ANV and I need more info on what is expected and requirred for eastern theater. Any thoughts would be accepted greatfully. plm

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Mike and Dan VERY good point here, take criticism! My kit looked AWEFUL two years ago, I've improved my kit be getting a good hat, switching to a civillian saddle, cutting down the amount of "crap" that I have and purchasing a shotgun! I NEVER would have known to do this unless I listened to what people were saying (believe me I thought I looked "spot on" 2 years ago!). There's still room for improvement with my kit but it is getting to the point where I am criticizing myself and switching some minor things (hardware) on my kit. I hope that we can start moving forward in this hobby rather than stay the same or worse, go backward.

[IowaYank]

Re: ANNOUNCING: The 2011 Cavalry Camp of Instruction!!!....

Nice Pictures John! Is there a way we can take some of those pictures that we are in for our own use??

Thanks
dan