Attending New Market

[23rdYahoos]

I had a great time at New Market this weekend. The weather was perfect, the grounds fantastic, the organization outstanding, the crowds patient and gracious, the Confederates worthy opponents and IMHO the event was an overall resounding success.

Sure the highway is near by and you can hear the traffic, but at least you are on the actual field where they fought. How many battlefields are under strip malls today? New Market sure beats trying to set up camp in a Home Depot parking lot I'll tel you that.

[longstreet7]

I must agree with 23rdYahoos. This year and last, New Market has been a well organized event. (I recall some prior that were not) Both Federal and Confederate commands did a marvelous job of coordinating together to put on a great battle. Volleys on both sides were spot on crisp with no "popcorn", and the sun shined throughout. The Shenandoah Valley is so picturesque with the towering mountains of blues and greens on both sides of New Market Battlefield State Park. No wonder Tom Jackson fought so hard to defend it. There were so many well done impressions at this event as well. A sign to me that people are caring about the hobby more, and how they portray themselves and their own craft. Event staff made sure that everyone had what was needed, and the locations of both camps was closer in proximity to the sutlers and vendors so that spectators could have an easier time of visiting both camps at once without too much hiking, yet far enough away from them that it did not become a circus. After all, like it or not, having the tators peruse through camps to view, learn and ask questions is a huge part of why we do what we do!....Great Job New Market and both commands!!! I will gladly return

[DColeman]

Agreed, the event went well and Sunday's battle was....tiring! I had just run a 5k the weekend before, but that run/retreat back up the hill had us all gasping for air. Trucks on I-81 were quiet too. Only surprise to me was the sheer lack of participants. If our Brigade hadn't shown up, there wouldn't have been a Federal force. Some of the sutlers closed up early too on Saturday and left. We still had a great time though and 6the weather was amazing! Which is pretty rare for that event.

[23rdYahoos]

Agreed, the event went well and Sunday's battle was....tiring! I had just run a 5k the weekend before, but that run/retreat back up the hill had us all gasping for air. Trucks on I-81 were quiet too. Only surprise to me was the sheer lack of participants. If our Brigade hadn't shown up, there wouldn't have been a Federal force. Some of the sutlers closed up early too on Saturday and left. We still had a great time though and 6the weather was amazing! Which is pretty rare for that event.

I have to agree. If not for the FVB, the Federal ranks would have been pretty sparse!

At one point someone asked if we were sure we were at New Market as it wasn't raining

B Mackay
97th PVI FVB

[42ndMissCoIPvtHenson]

Tyler,

To second my 1st Sarge I would like to say thanks for falling in with us Mississippi boys. Thanks for being supportive and not laughing too much watching me go through my Fresh Fish initiation, haha! (glad that's over...whew) glad to hear there was a happy ending to your venture...Congratulations! I look forward to perhaps seeing you again in the field somewhere, til then take care and enjoy life man!

[Rufus]

Zachary, thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it. As for your initiation and the others, I was hoping that you all were going to start picking a banjo and rattling the bones. See you in the field!