gettysburg reenactment 2nd day

[m35gibson]

hello folks.

well i was at the yingling farm from 730-7pm yesterday, boy i had a great time! met some interesting people to say the least(patrick falci)boy, he is a real character, enjoyed his presentation. also got to meet lee's lieutenants.
and a gentelman, by the name of jay vogel, normally, his persona, is james longstreet, but that role was already filled, so he was general james l kemper! i knew i would get to to see great great grandad one day, just not this soon.lol.also got to meet the great great grandson of general pettigrew.
i think thats who it was i met, after a while the names get confusing,lol.
it was a great, and long day, i will add the youtube video links later,once i have them all uploaded.

thanks
kevin gibson

[Rob Weaver]

Thank you. Sometimes when we Monday morning QB an event, we go right for what didn't work first. It's nice to hear from a spectator about what was fun and enjoyable. Aside from the thunderstorm, I had a great time.

[m35gibson]

well i have to correct a mistake i made,,,,it was the great great grandson of major charles pickett, henry clay pickett vry nice gentlemen. especially general lee!! i really felt like i was back in 1863,, good job to all of you!!!!

kevin gibson

[GrumpyDave]

I was by both Saturday and Sunday. Worse, history wise, than I've seen in a while. Lots of "festival parking" and the taters noticed. Lots of historical anachronisms and, the taters know. Same old same old, only worse, in my eyes. Had a really good funnel cake, saw some folks I haven't seen in a while(why I went). Besides that, yuk.(last time I was actually inside was the 135th) Then again, not my type of event; ever. Why do all the "sham battles" look the same after the first 10 minutes? Things were better in the park, from a visual, historical and educational standpoint. the folks at the PA Minument looked "well done" on Saturday.

[Quiverful]

We were camped in the living history section and had a lot of first time spectators come up and chat with us under our fly. We were able to have some very good conversations and they asked some really good questions. We did get the "did you really sleep out here last night?" question at least twice. It was a memorable time, especially with the storm...we'll be talking about it for a long time.

[Capt Terry]

The biggest problem I noticed that affected the battles was we needed more troops for the space we had for battles. Thought Saturday's battle was decent and the mini charge on Sunday was pretty good. On Friday one federal company didn't "retreat" as called for by the scenario. All in all, all things considered, I enjoyed it.

[28thNY]

Funny you should say that... The Confederates got themselves far too close repeatedly throughout Saturdays battle, which I'd suggest was the worst of the weekends battles (and that's saying something).

Seriously, we had Confederates doing direct and unelevated fire on us at no more than 20 foot (event rules say 25 yards minimum unless scripted) on both Friday and Saturday... If you think that's safe then maybe I'll not bother taking my company to that sort of events again.

Also, on which flank did you find yourself during Fridays battle?

[mtodriscoll]

On Friday's battle, we were the Confederates on the far left (far Federal/Spectator right). We pushed forward expecting the Federals to fall back per the scenario. They stood their ground and took no hits.
So we pushed forward again hoping they would take hits and fall back per the scenario. They stood their ground and took no hits.
The far left CS company charged in to take prisoners and the Federals still didn't fall back.
About that time, some dismounted Federal Cav came in from the center "out of nowhere", breaking scenario.
So we pushed forward again, which was when it became ridiculously close (30-40 feet).
Our company was elevated for sure (duck hunting), but once you get that close and you have to elevate that much - it becomes obviously unrealistic/unsafe.

In the end - about 4 to 6 federals had taken hits, another 6 or so had their rifles upside down in surrender and the rest were preparing to fire when Taps blew.
Supposedly, the CS "won" - but it didn't feel like it.

[28thNY]

Matt... If it helps, I was on the far Union left (your far right), we put up a fight, refused the flank, withdrew at the oblique leaving casualties then got overrun leaving the field covered in Federal prisoners and dead... Can't have it all, right?

Saturdays fight still sucked. Honestly, I was more embarrassed for the battle planners and disappointed for the paying public than anything.

[m35gibson]

well, i think you all did good,,,,,being my first time,,,,,,

[Capt Terry]

Matt... If it helps, I was on the far Union left (your far right), we put up a fight, refused the flank, withdrew at the oblique leaving casualties then got overrun leaving the field covered in Federal prisoners and dead... Can't have it all, right?

Saturdays fight still sucked. Honestly, I was more embarrassed for the battle planners and disappointed for the paying public than anything.

Can't say what happened at your location, but Matt's analysis was the way it was. Some federals did fall back, alot on your right did not. That's why we pushed them so hard. And I do agree with the firing being too close.