My trip

[Mink]

Wow, this is cool subdjoe. I'ts like taking us along. Are you in an RV?

[subdjoe]

thanks, everyone. No, not in a RV. Got the pick up, the trailer with the cannon and other gear. We are staying at KOAs long the way. Our civil war wedge tent goes up in under 3 min, so we are using that. Our dog adapted very well to this. but tomorrow he gets a shock - we will be putting him in a kennel until Monday. Maybe he will forgive us.

yesterday was hard on us, on the road about 13 hours. got a late start this moring, left Terra Haute IN about 0900 lima, got to Washington PAarojund 1750 lima. Had some nice chats with people at rest stops, camp grounds and gas stations. Tomorrow we will be at the site for the reenactment, there is no power, no wifi. Take care until Monday 7/7 everyone.

[subdjoe]

Finally back to where I have connection. Still a few days from home, but have seen some cool things. Just outside of KC, MO some gentlemen showed us a cemetary with 6 Confederate graves. All from the same unit, killed when the Federals attacked them while having a picnic. Battle of Camden Point. there is even a wiki cite about it.

I didn't get to see a whole lot of the reenactment, much time was spent getting the gun to and from the field. Traffic control for that was next to non-existant and the planners the first day had us pulling our guns from the artillery park as the troops were coming back from the first battle. We ended up with a full battery of 4 guns with crews from CA. The easterners were all set to snear at us and try to show us how to do it right.

We ended up being placed on the right of the line for Sunday, partially at the request of the outfit that is putting together the DVD of the reenactment. Partially because we bloody well earned it by knowing our drill and knowing how to use our guns.

Here is a link to my photobucket page with a few photos. And a link to someone elses 17 pages of pics.

s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff30/subdjoe/

spotted.savannahnow.com/photos/index.php?id=3612233&size=large

[The New Guy]

looks like it was a great time. nothing like a well trained gun crew and a well emplaced gun line!

[saunterelle]

Enjoyed the reenactment photos Joe, looks like quite an undertaking. Thanks for sharing!

[subdjoe]

Thanks. I have no idea who took them, I just googled gettysburg reenactment photos 2008, and that was the best page that came up.

Yes, it was quite the undertaking. Gives me a new appreciation for logistics. Just our battery alone, drawn from the bay area and the Imperial Valley was an interesting challange to feed and coordinate.

[Mink]

Subdjoe, I am impressed! I thought my work at the historical society was tough........absolutely, no comparison. I liked how some of those men really look the part by growing the hair and beards. Have you ever seen the movie "Patton", where he believes he once fought at earlier wars, different time and battles?? Maybe you once fought at the battle of Gettysburg....
anyway good show!

[subdjoe]

Thanks, Mink. My hair is actually too long for the period. Unless, by virtue of my age, I;m wearing my hair as I did in my youth. And even that is a bit of a push. The full bushy beard works for the Confederates, and even that was not the general rule. If you look at photographs of that era it seems that the big beards are not really all that common. the Federals tended to a clean shaven or more closely trimmed look. And, yes, it was a bit of work and a lot of hurry up and wait.

What do you do at the historical society? I am assuming the Sonoma County Historical Socitey.

[JustMyOpinion]

Yes, good photos subdjoe. My dad will appreciate them a lot, I am going to forward the link.