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Banks Grand Retreat, for me, exceeded expectations. Having enjoyed a number of other moving and fighting events which lasted from late Friday night until mid morning on Sunday, I thought I had endured long marches and hard campaigning in this hobby. But….. with this event going from first light on Thursday morning, until mid morning on Sunday, I now realize how that extra 36 hours of campaigning can make a big, big difference in how we experience a campaign event.
Praise can not be strong enough for Fred Baker and Tom Yearby. Their work has truly paid off. Compliments must also be given to all of the other supporters of this event, such as Dusty Lind, Mrs. Lawson and the other civilians.
As already mentioned, the distance covered on the first day did not reach the planned bivouc sites. An emergency MedEvac (thank you to the men in the Federal Column who helped make the field expedient stretcher, and who transported the fella off the ridge line), as well as the general fatigue which wore on the men caused our pace to be slowed and the distance shortened. It was at this point that the abilities of the Organizers, and the support of Dusty Lind and the civilians really paid off. The relocating of water and feed for the draft animals all took place without the men in the column ever being aware of the movements behind the scenes.
The support of the two Mule drawn wagons was exceptional, as well as the sight of a four Ox drawn wagon. This is the first campaigning event at which I have ever seen such authentic logistical support, and as such, it really added to my enjoyment of the event.
The horse drawn Artillery was also a site. On Friday evening when they drew into position on the top of a Hill mass, just as the Federals were withdrawing up to that point… well.. let’s just say that without the Artillery, the Confederates most likely would not have been halted for the evening.
To the Officers and Men in the Federal Column, I’d really like to express my gratitude and appreciation at how well all of you soldiered. I was, and always will be proud to have served as the Federal Sergeant Major for this event.
To the civilians who portrayed the refugees... all of you did an outstanding job! Those first three women we came across, once we found that batch of letters from the Confederate Commander.. well... I hope we weren't to brutal in ransacking your belongings. But I must say.. that jar of peach preserves was outstanding! We passed it down the Federal line, and each man had a spoon full of it while the skirmishing was taking place in the distance!
At the second refugee encampment, we herded the women and children together, and had to get a little rough at one point when two of the women ran up to snatch a bloodied shirt we had found. In that brief exchange there was a bit of yelling and shoving during which I pressed against one of the ladies abdomen and felt the hard ribbings of her corset and demanded to know if she weren't hiding something there! She replied rather incredulously that there was no way I'd ever know, as I had no right to search in such a location! Well... seeing as I've been a married man for many a year, I knew that tone and look well, I realized that there was no hope in ascertaining whether or not she had secreted papers there or not.
The reactions of the refugees was well played. Thank you to all who participated.
And I'd like to also praise the medical staff who doctored and nursed all of the twisted knees, rolled ankles and blistered feet.
To the women who carried those heavy pots of hot food (and authentic food at that!) to the Federal Camp on Saturday night... you were life savers as the men were very fatigued. I fear that the thought of another night of fat back and hard tack was almost unbearable. The hot food you brought in realy rejuvenated them,and greatly boosted their morale. Thank you!
One of the refugee women approached me on Sunday, and informed me that she had attended my retirement from the Marine Corps back in Oct. of 2003 out in California (forgive me Mam' as I can not recall your name at the moment) and that was quite a surprise!
I read somewhere that we covered 22 miles over these three and half days of marching. Wow… quite a feat for so many of us whom are not as spry or young as a few of the fellas where. But we survived. Shared misery breeds bragging rights. And everybody who made it, has earned those rights.
Take your hats off and let the heat out Gentlemen….. we can rest now.
Praise can not be strong enough for Fred Baker and Tom Yearby. Their work has truly paid off. Compliments must also be given to all of the other supporters of this event, such as Dusty Lind, Mrs. Lawson and the other civilians.
As already mentioned, the distance covered on the first day did not reach the planned bivouc sites. An emergency MedEvac (thank you to the men in the Federal Column who helped make the field expedient stretcher, and who transported the fella off the ridge line), as well as the general fatigue which wore on the men caused our pace to be slowed and the distance shortened. It was at this point that the abilities of the Organizers, and the support of Dusty Lind and the civilians really paid off. The relocating of water and feed for the draft animals all took place without the men in the column ever being aware of the movements behind the scenes.
The support of the two Mule drawn wagons was exceptional, as well as the sight of a four Ox drawn wagon. This is the first campaigning event at which I have ever seen such authentic logistical support, and as such, it really added to my enjoyment of the event.
The horse drawn Artillery was also a site. On Friday evening when they drew into position on the top of a Hill mass, just as the Federals were withdrawing up to that point… well.. let’s just say that without the Artillery, the Confederates most likely would not have been halted for the evening.
To the Officers and Men in the Federal Column, I’d really like to express my gratitude and appreciation at how well all of you soldiered. I was, and always will be proud to have served as the Federal Sergeant Major for this event.
To the civilians who portrayed the refugees... all of you did an outstanding job! Those first three women we came across, once we found that batch of letters from the Confederate Commander.. well... I hope we weren't to brutal in ransacking your belongings. But I must say.. that jar of peach preserves was outstanding! We passed it down the Federal line, and each man had a spoon full of it while the skirmishing was taking place in the distance!
At the second refugee encampment, we herded the women and children together, and had to get a little rough at one point when two of the women ran up to snatch a bloodied shirt we had found. In that brief exchange there was a bit of yelling and shoving during which I pressed against one of the ladies abdomen and felt the hard ribbings of her corset and demanded to know if she weren't hiding something there! She replied rather incredulously that there was no way I'd ever know, as I had no right to search in such a location! Well... seeing as I've been a married man for many a year, I knew that tone and look well, I realized that there was no hope in ascertaining whether or not she had secreted papers there or not.
The reactions of the refugees was well played. Thank you to all who participated.
And I'd like to also praise the medical staff who doctored and nursed all of the twisted knees, rolled ankles and blistered feet.
To the women who carried those heavy pots of hot food (and authentic food at that!) to the Federal Camp on Saturday night... you were life savers as the men were very fatigued. I fear that the thought of another night of fat back and hard tack was almost unbearable. The hot food you brought in realy rejuvenated them,and greatly boosted their morale. Thank you!
One of the refugee women approached me on Sunday, and informed me that she had attended my retirement from the Marine Corps back in Oct. of 2003 out in California (forgive me Mam' as I can not recall your name at the moment) and that was quite a surprise!
I read somewhere that we covered 22 miles over these three and half days of marching. Wow… quite a feat for so many of us whom are not as spry or young as a few of the fellas where. But we survived. Shared misery breeds bragging rights. And everybody who made it, has earned those rights.
Take your hats off and let the heat out Gentlemen….. we can rest now.
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