Hastings AAR

[Colonel Dave]

Last weekend, the annual Hastings event went, in my opinion, about as smooth as an event can. The forces were pretty even and the morning tacticals gave the men ample opportunity to demonstrate their tactical skills.
The public battles were somewhat confined but both sides conducted themselves honorably and with no stupid stuff that would mar an event.
Thanks go to the host village and Jim Newkirk for his untiring efforts. My two battalion commanders, Rob Van and Craig DeCrane handled their troops with no significant episodes. Sentries were always on time and no reenactor vehicles invaded the camps, keeping them pure and without any modern items.
The Rebs under Nick Medich played fair and conducted themselves with honor and never did anything uncalled for or scenario busting.
The support of our Medical and Ladies Auxillary really helped the guys with their water, ice and efforts to keep them cool.
Colonel Dave

[Jubilo]

Dear Sir,
I commend you for writing a good, clear, report. I reckon it ain't many of you brass hat fellers that writes about what was done. A matter of fact almost none of them ever use the forum , making it the demain of us humble privates . More's the pity !
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Colonel Dave]

Thanks, Dave. I am still a private at heart.

[rebel7458]

Col. Dave,

From the "other side" perspective, would like to say that I agree with everything you've said. What a great weekend. Hastings seems to have the potential to return to what it was years ago.

I'd like to give honorable mention to an officer on your left flank Sunday. One young lad got a little exuberhant and went after the Confederate colors after they went down. After waving them in taunt to the rebels (in character of course) the officer took them and led his men into us for a little unscripted hand-to-hand (very well done, no problems what so ever). He, in a very quiet and classy manner, allowed us to kill him and recoup our colors. He made sure that I as the company officer, rec'd the colors. No muss, no fuss. Sometimes the unscripted taking of another's colors can get quite ugly, no different than what occurred during the war. Just wanted to tip the hat to a very well played response. Didn't get to find him after the battle. Besides, y'all look the same to me anyways, lol.

Thank you boys for a very good weekend and we're still passing the word for this event and hope next year will be bigger and better yet!
Captain Greg Van Wey

[Poor Private]

Greg,
That there taking of the flag must of happened on sunday. I didn't see it because I was out shooting geeze on the river with our cannon. But if what you said is true then Bravo to those Yanks.
But I did have a ball on Saturday being led by 1st Lt Charley. in our skirmish unit.
There was a couple of times when we were shooting around the smithy, who had a US flag waving in front of his shop that we thought about grabbing it, but decided to leave it alone so as not to cause some, uhhh, issues. It just looked funny running back and forth in
front of the flag 4 or 5 times to still have it sitting there waving. I guess we should have popped into the smithy shop and asked him if we could steal it. But we did get Charley off from being court martialed By Col. Medich for his desertion at Zoar.

[White Horse]

I used to love Hastings back in the 90"s. Had a lot of fun there. May try to make it one more time before I hang up the spurs

[Shortround]

Last weekend, the annual Hastings event went, in my opinion, about as smooth as an event can. The forces were pretty even and the morning tacticals gave the men ample opportunity to demonstrate their tactical skills.
The public battles were somewhat confined but both sides conducted themselves honorably and with no stupid stuff that would mar an event.
Thanks go to the host village and Jim Newkirk for his untiring efforts. My two battalion commanders, Rob Van and Craig DeCrane handled their troops with no significant episodes. Sentries were always on time and no reenactor vehicles invaded the camps, keeping them pure and without any modern items.
The Rebs under Nick Medich played fair and conducted themselves with honor and never did anything uncalled for or scenario busting.
The support of our Medical and Ladies Auxillary really helped the guys with their water, ice and efforts to keep them cool.
Colonel Dave


It was at 90 ever day with 90% humidity. I gotta admit one thing on Modern Michigan; global warming has made the weather just like the deep south. It is always hot and muggy.

One of these day the Spanish moss will start growing on trees.

[indguard]

.... and it never helps that the Hastings event is next to a slow running river (humidity) and the whole park is down in a bowl shaped area between several hills (no air flow).

WTH
The BeenThere Mess

[Poor Private]

.... and it never helps that the Hastings event is next to a slow running river (humidity) and the whole park is down in a bowl shaped area between several hills (no air flow).

WTH
The BeenThere Mess

But you know what.........I had fun and thats all thats counts for me.

[indguard]

Indeed, it is. Funs the name of the game!

WTH
The HubbaHubba mess

[Jubilo]

Dear General,
I remember the 36th Illinois Infantry marching to the river and jumping in . We just shed the wool and had at. Dried out quite dandily on the river bank. Sure beat the heat and removed the black powder from the day's battle . Of course men were men in them days.
all for the old flag,
David Corbett