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Re: BACKWATERS AARs
I'll try this again.... The last two campaign events I attended, I waited too long to share my thoughts and never did.... I tried to post on tuesday and lost everything.... The list of highlights, goods and bads......
* Per custom, we arrived a day early and dressed out. God Bless Ernie who had secured two campsites on the lakefront. It was a great evening of fellowship but we were awakened at 4:30 as the rain that had been falling about an hour, intensified and wet us good. The next morning, we lay everything out to dry and hung clothing around the fire. Though they will swear it was due to a small cardboard box I tossed on the fire, I submit the wind changed direction ahead of the incoming storms.... In any event, two men had their new jackets catch fire during the drying. How ironic for this to happen pre-event, just as the accounts in Walker's book.
* When we talked and established Company H in December, and the lean, mean veteran feel, I was asked to be the 2nd Lt. As mentioned, this company had a Cpt, 1st Lt., 2nd Lt. and a 1st Sgt, among it's 20 men. We recruited 21 (how farby I know, lol), and lost two just days before the event. Because of these losses our platoons and sections were off. I volunteered and accepted a "demotion" to cpl of 3rd section. We lost another man in 2nd section to a medical issue that evening, and Saturday morning I was again reassigned and demoted to a pvt in 3rd section. What had transpired served the basis for a running joke (by being twice demoted in 12 hours,) and the opportunity to go into first person as the malcontent or grudge-holding soldier. I was however promoted to 1st cpl sunday morning as Marty had been captured the day before...... but this promotion lasted but 30 minutes, as I was again demoted upon his return. On the good side, this flexibility allowed me to spend time in each of the sections in the company.
* Socks/shoes- About half in the company had socks, and almost none had "good" shoes.
* Does anyone know what the total distance covered was?
* First person- Had some great first person with Hunter on Friday night as we waited for the others in the section. As a result of my FP bad attitude, I came home to an email from a dear friend and brother, wondering if I was upset with him. Guess my FP interaction was spot-on.
* As Nic Clark said, "Enjoy the suck." Like Piney Woods, the consistent rain and cold temps at this event were a highlight. Throwing up shelters, sharing warmth, hot drinks, fires and drying clothing became as important as pursuing/preparing for the enemy. Since the accounts of the weather in the weeks this event was staged were pretty much the same with flooded creeks, stuck wagons and soaked clothing....it was more than appropriate. My shoes had gaping holes in the soles and uppers. My socks were wet the entire weekend. I'll be darning those yet again now as the wet wore holes in them.
* Vanguard/skirmish. The thing I love the most is Vanguard/recon and rear guard work. Even enjoyed sitting out in the rain in the field Saturday for hours watching the Federals in a long skirmish line. We weren't detected until we were actually withdrawing after a couple hours. We were covering while our comrades gathered wood, built fires and shelters. I wonder what if we would have been allowed to probe.
* Repeaters. Although they were not allowed in the guidelines and followups, their presence made no difference to me. The fact they were in the breastworks saturday, was something I was not aware of until we moved on the works. I took a hit anyway so didn't matter. I did carry a Henry at Bummers and it is a treat to carry one. My only complaint with repeaters, is similar to the point Tom made and artillery at an event........ When one carries one, there is an air of invincibility and belief you should be mowing people down which leads to frustration. Been there and you can read the same accounts from Bummers. I think one also tends to do things because of this they would not in a real situation. Sure, one has multiple rounds to launch and might drop someone with each. But in the face of vast nunmbers moving rapildy on one's position, once those rounds are gone, you have no bayonet and a much shorter "club" compared to a musket. Guess the thought being, seeing that horde approaching, repeater or not, I would have got the heck out of there and retired to higher ground/works.
* I feel bad there were some hurting for water. I wish they had asked and we asked many we passed if they were o.k. I unloaded my gear and my canteen was still 3/4's full and would have gladly shared.
* What made this event for me was this company and new, tight-knit group, (Independent Volunteers). It was TJ's idea to recruit our own company, and we wanted the most dedicated, focussed and hardest working guys. I have never been part of a company where so many guys went out and bought the book. Many went on diets to cut 10-40 lbs for that gaunt confederate look, (I was shocked after losing 10 and shopping for a suit, I was now a 38.) We needed some in civ attire, but the rest got the same jacket. We let our hair grow (i.e no modern styles) and didn't shave. The Missouri wing of the group went out no less than 6 saturdays including the last 4 to train on trails, rocks, mud, snow, rain, hills and even dreaded sunshine. They ran, they biked, etc. This all made a difference which many have already commented on. Basically, many were in Piney Woods shape which was evident when Marty needed his pipe lit and caused us to fall out at the last rest stop. We later raced each other up opposite sides of the column back to our company. Was very proud these boys could run, never seemed to tire and never quit. To quote Zombieland, "Rule #1- Cardio."
* This event was spectacular and I didn't want it to end even though the less than ideal weather. Brian, Josh, Art, etc.... you pulled off one of the best events in my experience. You were honest about the challenges and distances, and those who didn't heed them, were exposed for doubting you. Patrick, this is a hobby where if you are passionate and expect high standards of yourself and others, you will have detractors. (There are some keyboarders or others who I am sure I rub the wrong way, although those who have met and suffered with me come around.) I appreciate your stepping up and your faith in us. We would have run through a wall for you and did everything you asked. And we'll do it again for you in the future should you extend the request/invitiation.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, including Mr. Szabo. Seeing the forecast one can tell the anticipated degree of attrition, but it's good to weed those out and the ones who made the trip even if they didn't finish or straggled are the winners in my opinion.
I look forward to the next campaign event and the inviting PM's in my inbox. But most likely, I'll be attending with the Independent Volunteers.....
Best Regards
I'll try this again.... The last two campaign events I attended, I waited too long to share my thoughts and never did.... I tried to post on tuesday and lost everything.... The list of highlights, goods and bads......
* Per custom, we arrived a day early and dressed out. God Bless Ernie who had secured two campsites on the lakefront. It was a great evening of fellowship but we were awakened at 4:30 as the rain that had been falling about an hour, intensified and wet us good. The next morning, we lay everything out to dry and hung clothing around the fire. Though they will swear it was due to a small cardboard box I tossed on the fire, I submit the wind changed direction ahead of the incoming storms.... In any event, two men had their new jackets catch fire during the drying. How ironic for this to happen pre-event, just as the accounts in Walker's book.
* When we talked and established Company H in December, and the lean, mean veteran feel, I was asked to be the 2nd Lt. As mentioned, this company had a Cpt, 1st Lt., 2nd Lt. and a 1st Sgt, among it's 20 men. We recruited 21 (how farby I know, lol), and lost two just days before the event. Because of these losses our platoons and sections were off. I volunteered and accepted a "demotion" to cpl of 3rd section. We lost another man in 2nd section to a medical issue that evening, and Saturday morning I was again reassigned and demoted to a pvt in 3rd section. What had transpired served the basis for a running joke (by being twice demoted in 12 hours,) and the opportunity to go into first person as the malcontent or grudge-holding soldier. I was however promoted to 1st cpl sunday morning as Marty had been captured the day before...... but this promotion lasted but 30 minutes, as I was again demoted upon his return. On the good side, this flexibility allowed me to spend time in each of the sections in the company.
* Socks/shoes- About half in the company had socks, and almost none had "good" shoes.
* Does anyone know what the total distance covered was?
* First person- Had some great first person with Hunter on Friday night as we waited for the others in the section. As a result of my FP bad attitude, I came home to an email from a dear friend and brother, wondering if I was upset with him. Guess my FP interaction was spot-on.
* As Nic Clark said, "Enjoy the suck." Like Piney Woods, the consistent rain and cold temps at this event were a highlight. Throwing up shelters, sharing warmth, hot drinks, fires and drying clothing became as important as pursuing/preparing for the enemy. Since the accounts of the weather in the weeks this event was staged were pretty much the same with flooded creeks, stuck wagons and soaked clothing....it was more than appropriate. My shoes had gaping holes in the soles and uppers. My socks were wet the entire weekend. I'll be darning those yet again now as the wet wore holes in them.
* Vanguard/skirmish. The thing I love the most is Vanguard/recon and rear guard work. Even enjoyed sitting out in the rain in the field Saturday for hours watching the Federals in a long skirmish line. We weren't detected until we were actually withdrawing after a couple hours. We were covering while our comrades gathered wood, built fires and shelters. I wonder what if we would have been allowed to probe.
* Repeaters. Although they were not allowed in the guidelines and followups, their presence made no difference to me. The fact they were in the breastworks saturday, was something I was not aware of until we moved on the works. I took a hit anyway so didn't matter. I did carry a Henry at Bummers and it is a treat to carry one. My only complaint with repeaters, is similar to the point Tom made and artillery at an event........ When one carries one, there is an air of invincibility and belief you should be mowing people down which leads to frustration. Been there and you can read the same accounts from Bummers. I think one also tends to do things because of this they would not in a real situation. Sure, one has multiple rounds to launch and might drop someone with each. But in the face of vast nunmbers moving rapildy on one's position, once those rounds are gone, you have no bayonet and a much shorter "club" compared to a musket. Guess the thought being, seeing that horde approaching, repeater or not, I would have got the heck out of there and retired to higher ground/works.
* I feel bad there were some hurting for water. I wish they had asked and we asked many we passed if they were o.k. I unloaded my gear and my canteen was still 3/4's full and would have gladly shared.
* What made this event for me was this company and new, tight-knit group, (Independent Volunteers). It was TJ's idea to recruit our own company, and we wanted the most dedicated, focussed and hardest working guys. I have never been part of a company where so many guys went out and bought the book. Many went on diets to cut 10-40 lbs for that gaunt confederate look, (I was shocked after losing 10 and shopping for a suit, I was now a 38.) We needed some in civ attire, but the rest got the same jacket. We let our hair grow (i.e no modern styles) and didn't shave. The Missouri wing of the group went out no less than 6 saturdays including the last 4 to train on trails, rocks, mud, snow, rain, hills and even dreaded sunshine. They ran, they biked, etc. This all made a difference which many have already commented on. Basically, many were in Piney Woods shape which was evident when Marty needed his pipe lit and caused us to fall out at the last rest stop. We later raced each other up opposite sides of the column back to our company. Was very proud these boys could run, never seemed to tire and never quit. To quote Zombieland, "Rule #1- Cardio."
* This event was spectacular and I didn't want it to end even though the less than ideal weather. Brian, Josh, Art, etc.... you pulled off one of the best events in my experience. You were honest about the challenges and distances, and those who didn't heed them, were exposed for doubting you. Patrick, this is a hobby where if you are passionate and expect high standards of yourself and others, you will have detractors. (There are some keyboarders or others who I am sure I rub the wrong way, although those who have met and suffered with me come around.) I appreciate your stepping up and your faith in us. We would have run through a wall for you and did everything you asked. And we'll do it again for you in the future should you extend the request/invitiation.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, including Mr. Szabo. Seeing the forecast one can tell the anticipated degree of attrition, but it's good to weed those out and the ones who made the trip even if they didn't finish or straggled are the winners in my opinion.
I look forward to the next campaign event and the inviting PM's in my inbox. But most likely, I'll be attending with the Independent Volunteers.....
Best Regards
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