150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

[Ken Knopp]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Fellas, here is a Youtube video of the early part of the march...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDY4fwWk79Q

and a trailer from the "new" NPS movie "Shiloh Fiery Trial"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UZcdMiOAnI

Ken R Knopp

[forrestcav]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Gentlemen: I must say how thoroughly I enjoyed the ride from Corinth. I could have gone home friday night and it would have been a great event. Add to that camping on the park and leading the infantry column saturday was icing on the cake. The main "show" was just that, a main stream show. Spending time with my pards and camping on hallowed ground was the real event.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Amen Joe! The show was actually pretty dissapointing

[Doughboy]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Why are these events usually so disappointing? I wish I could have made the ride but the reviews of the usual mainstream garbage leave me glad I didn't go. It is a long (and expensive) drive from VA especially with horses, and if I had spent the cash and time to find the samosamo I would have been more than a little POed.
150th or not, this is not the time to accept compromise when the hobby should have progressed more. I have been seeing all the video and photos and wondering how this is acceptable. Folks carry their smart phones to even the most "authentic" events and dont' think twice about snapping pix/video and texting their BFF. Whats up with that? This hobby is getting more expensive. I find it discouraging that we seem to laud events that still end up being Mainstream Monster Mashes just because there is an "authentic adjunct". It is fine if you know up front what you are getting into but to constantly advertise how great an event is going to be only to have it be the usual leads to a lot of disappointment and cynicism. I am glad people had fun. I am sure I would have as well but we can do better.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Christopher, I understand your frustration with the expense of getting to the events and the mainstream mentality for some who attended the event. Like myself, I’m sure others went to this event with the expectation of seeing the modern anachronisms, the lack of first person ect. Heck the whole left wing witnessed a miracle as some lone yahoo charged the line fell down when no one acknowledged him then got up five minutes later to run back to his line. It wasn’t an EBUFU event. What made the event great, at least for me was being able to feel like a real soldier, hungry, thirsty, tired, cold and wet. Not to mention the camaraderie between all those who attended. That weekend I was able to create my own world. I had several moments where I truly felt like it was 1862. The bottom line is there was bad stuff we just chose to overlook it and have a blast.

Very Respectfully

[Mark Choate]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Christopher,

You make some good points, but let me point out that the "battles" and mainstream portion of this event made up only about 15% of this experience. When you consider the opportunity that a few of us had to retrace that route that Hardee and Polk made from Corinth to Shiloh and to bivouac on the very ground that those men camped and to imagine what was going on in their minds as they slept there and wondered what the next day would bring and then to tack up in the dark, ride off in the rain and enter the park. And then to change over and portray the 11th Illinois cavalry and to ride through the woods to the far side of the park (6 miles) and to escort those men portraying the 15th Iowa who came off of the paddleboats and to ride at the head of that column as we came up through the sunken road, Ruggles battery, the Hornet's Nest, Shiloh Church, etc., etc., etc., then one can see that the small percentage of time that the mainstream battles took place were "small potatoes" when compared to the reward of all else that we experienced. Now, if a person chose to break off and to spend more of their time in the the mainstream side of things, then it was their own choice because of the four nights that we threw down our bedrolls, each one was in a different location and a different setting. We had our privacy and we had our opportunity to experience the moment.

The point of this is there was only going to be one time that this magnificent battle would hit it's 150th anniversary. This was as close as I can imagine anyone sharing and participating in the recognition of that anniversary and yet NOT wallowing in the mainstream "pumkin' rollin'". So, I think that we have to make the best of what we have to work with and I think that we did just that. Heck, I have been to EFUBU events that had gaping holes in them or where folks "dropped the authenticity ball". I am in full agreement that seeing the smartphones or cameras get pulled out just makes me sick. No place for them and yet many of the most authentically minded folks you can imagine, will whip them out to take that photo to place on the A/C or wherever. I think it is appalling. But, it is not isolated to the adjuncts. It happens elsewhere, too. We are each stewards of doing the very best that we can in the circumstances we are in. Not only for our experience but for the experience of others.

I really think that if you had made the trip down, you would have many good memories of what you did experience and a battle or two with crappy scenarios would not have dampened your memories.

Thanks for the good comments and I look forward to riding with you in the future.

regards,
Mark

[Doughboy]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Mark,
I know I would have enjoyed it and am sorry I couldn't make it. It would have been nice to meet some of the far flung cav folks in person finally!

[Jerry Ross]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Chris,
I have made the trip to Virginia from Tennessee many times too. It is not any easier,cheaper,less tiring traveling North to VA than it is traveling South to TN. Some of the events in VA are great, some were a bust . Unison is my favorite there,but Manassas was well, not a fond memory. Maybe one day you can make the trip South to decide for yourself. I have met many a fine fellow riding across this country for events all over.

[Mark Choate]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Mark,
I know I would have enjoyed it and am sorry I couldn't make it. It would have been nice to meet some of the far flung cav folks in person finally!

Christopher,

Yes, I am sure we will meet some day. I loved your quote above about the "far flung cav folks." I think I see the makings of a unit name forming here.

What do you think, Jerry, should we form a unit down here known as, "The Far Flung Mess"?

Lovin' it!!

Mark

[Doughboy]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Jerry
I have been west a few of times for events as infantry and appreciate the quality so i am not worried about the travel. Its just that there are a number of simple things that.can be done to improve events that seem to fall through the cracks. same thing with Manassas for sure. It is disheartening when even the "authentic" contingent lets things slide. Believe me i know how it is trying to enforce standards and i sympathize. It would just be nice if it wasnt always such a compromise. It sounds like it was a worthwhile event and my hats off to the organizers and all who made the effort.

[pipthelimey]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Christopher,
Please let me know when you organize an event so I can attend.

[Doughboy]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

I wouldnt even think of it! Been involved enuff at lower levels. My hat is off to anyone who does organize no matter what the size.

[TexCavly]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

I think that Andrew Verdon, Casey Mott, David Caldwell, and I might have been worthy of being dubbed the "Far Flung Mess" seeing as how we had a Montana buckaroo a Texas brush-popper, and two Tennessee plow-boys in one set.

[Mark Choate]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

John,

You are absolutely correct.

"By the powers vested in me by the 'A/C' I now pronounce you all, 'The Far-Flung Mess.'"

Go forth proudly.........................................:s arcastic

Mark

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: 150th Battle of Shiloh - Mounted Cavalry Adjunct! AFTER ACTION REPORT

Gentlemen,we have our mess! It's now going into my signature. John, you and Casey should do the same!