Lee Takes Command

[Anders]

Court,

Thank you and all your staff for a trememdous job....A truly win win we can all feel good about.

Pards,

[sigman]

The 22nd Mass. of the Mifflin Guard had that magic moment as we actual portrayed the 22nd and the script was right on as far as their involvement. It was the first time those reenactors ever portrayed the actions of the original 22nd in a battle. We of the Mifflin Guard are all greatful to have shared that with them.

Andy Siganuk

[foxfire949]

Andy,

It was very cool to see you guys get to do that!

[RNMCSA]

I for one had a wonderfull time having had several personal "moments". Im looking forward to Maryland my Maryland. My hat is off to Mr. Anders.

[rbruno68]

I had a great time. One of the best events I have attended in a long time. I think no responsibility and that I was on my own as far as a mounted CS soldier was concerned made it a great event. I was able to move from one side to the other of the battles and see everything. The Tigers were great. The Zouves were great. Both sides of the infantry looked great. I didn't go to the walk throughs (another example of no responsibility) so I am not sure how things were supposed to go. But from the view on top my horse, it was great.
Rob

[Remise]

To you, Chris, and all the people who helped you conceive and manage this event. We all had fun, and perhaps did some honor to our ancestors, but also were able, at least in a small way, to help others, and that indeed is a win-win!

Touch the elbow,

B. C. Milligan
Company K, First Penna. Reserves

[Bill_Cross]

Just a quick "peek behind the curtain."

We had 50 per cent attrition among those who signed up and paid their $25 but bailed on the weekend. Thank you for your contribution to the event, but we missed you! I know, it was Father's Day, and that means that dads couldn't go and do what they wanted to on THEIR day, LOL. But it meant we had to modify some portions of the scenarios on the fly. Chris and Cory did their best to make sure units who'd come to honor particular regiments weren't "left on the cutting room floor" to borrow a film metaphor, while also making sure we didn't have a regiment of five guys charging a line of Federal guns or trying to hold back the entire Southern contingent.

We still had to portray a reasonable simulacrum of a battle.

Second, prep: yes, we could script the scenarios down to the last man and give everyone fate cards, block out their foot movements and turn our reenactments into film scripts. But part of the "magic" of an Anders event IMO is that Chris and Co. work hard to make sure the commanders know what's expected of them, then leave it to the commanders to put their troops in the right spots at the right time. It's leadership, right? After all, the boys of 1862 didn't know the outcome of what was happening to them, so do you want to know that at 2:23 you take a hit 40 ft. from the Federal gun line? Or do you want to follow the "flow" of the action?

Finally, there are always ****-ups. But overall, having helped out at a number of events, this one ran pretty much as it was supposed to with a minimum of confusion and no obvious scenario busting. A lot of folks worked hard, both before the event (**** Watters of the Southern Division deserves special mention), and others whose names I don't know or don't know well enough to mention. And lots of folks helped out AT the event. Carrying a radio around and making sure things go according to the plan makes "magic moments" hard for those who help behind the scenes, but I can say I took a lot of joy from watching the boys of BOTH sides do a helluva job.

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

I had a great time!! It was worth the drive from AL.

[Anders]

Andy,

Always glad to have you...sorry I was too busy to chat much...

Pards,

[TheQM]

Just a quick "peek behind the curtain."

We still had to portray a reasonable simulacrum of a battle.

Hey Bill X,

I think you've invented a new word: "A reasonable simulacrum of a battle".