After Action Report:  The Brooksville Raid                   January 16 to 18, 2009                             Brooksville, Florida

Carol Rowe and Abigail Reynolds recently attended the Brooksville Raid in Brooksville, FL in January.  Over 3,500 re-enactors took part in this event located on the west coast of Florida and north of Tampa.  This was the 145^th Anniversary of the Brooksville Raid in which Confederate Soldiers were driven form the town and thus occupied by Union forces throughout the remainder of the war.

Carol and Abby portrayed War Correspondents at this event.  They had the privilege of interacting with a n umber of re-enactors portraying everything from the soldiers of both armies to both Union and Confederate Sailors and officers.  They also met a number of civilian impressions including provost marshals, undertakers and doctors.  There was even a dentist and blacksmith, one in the same.  A extensive telegraph office was set up with lines run between camps.

The weather was perfect with daytime temps in the 60’s and night time in the 40’s.  Plenty of sunshine abounded.  Over 100 Cavalry and 40 cannons were on site.  The re-enactor fee was only $2.00 for walk-ons, which was certainly a pleasant surprise considering the normal walk-on fees associated with events in the northeast.

We also noted some differences throughout the event.  Of course the numbers of re-enactors and variety of personas was evident.  In addition, military protocol was followed much more stridently.  For example, passes were required between the lines and needed to be produced when moving through Confederate and Union Lines.  Pickets were also posted to check passes.  Pickets were also posted at both the Union and Confederate Command Headquarters.  No one was permitted to approach either commander or the command tent without first identifying themselves and then being recognized by the provost who would announce the visitor.  The commander then decided whether or not to talk with the individual.  This happened for the Correspondents as well.  We were allowed to speak with the commanders however the Union Commander informed us, through the Provost, that he was busy at the time and would meet with us within the hour.

We also noted regularly that proper military bearing was utilized by both enlisted and officers alike.  In the case of a “fresh fish” unaware of the protocol, they were immediately taken aside by an NCO and “reprimanded” as well as instructed.

On the civilian side, hoop skirts were few and far between as most of the impressions of civilian women were more on the Confederate side than the Union.  We also noted that a significant number of women were portraying soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

Several Chaplain, Union and Confederate, were about and available to the soldiers who desired or needed them.  Church services were offered in both camps. 

While these are the just a few observations, they represent some of the differences that we noted from events we have attended to in the northeast.  We had a most relaxed and enjoyable time with the folks in Florida.  Lt Col Robert Neipert of Hardees Brigade, CSA, warmly welcomed us into his camp and invited us to dinner with his unit.  We were truly treated as one of his own for our brief visit.  This was the first time we had met him although we have in the past shared emails and have written some for his on-line magazine.

We wish to take this opportunity to say thank you to Col Neipert and his wife, along with the members of his unit for their hospitality.  We also wish to thank both the Union and Confederate Commanders for their professional bearing and hospitality as well.  And a special thanks to the sponsors of this event for making it a premier event for any Yankee War Correspondent to share in.

Federal Generals Corp particpates in Old Bedford Village, Bedford, Pennsylvania, Annual Christmas Open House.

Bedford, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008

The Federal General Corp particpated in the Annual Old Bedford Christmas Open House again this year.  Present were Generals Rawlin, Buford, Custer, Grant, Averell, Crook, Col Hartranft, Maj Britton, Cpl Compton, Sgt Clem, Presiedent Lincoln and a Pinkerton Man.  Several of the civilians of the FGC also particpated including one of the Sisters of Charity from Emittsburg, the War Correspondents and several family members of the Generals.  Chris Opdenaker, (Mrs. Rawlins) coordinated the activities for the evenings.  The Generals and Civilians were divided between two houses and set up a traditional Civil War home setting for the evening.  Light refreshments were readily available throughout the night.  Approximately 500 visitors attended the evening open house and interacted with the Generals and the President. 

Following the close of the evening, the Federal Generals Corp held their annual meeting.  The coming years schedule ws presented and discussed.  Joe Shaffer (Gen. Buford) will forward the list of proposed events for distribution to the group.  Chris and Abby were thanked for their work on the web site.  Chris reported that the unit flag was about finished and would be available for the coming season.  Everyone was thanked for their particpation throughout the year and all said they were looking forward to the coming year as well.  The meeting was adjorned at 11:00pm.

  

Abigail Reynolds is the Guest Speaker for the Indian River CSA Camp  47 of Titusville, Florida.

Titusville Florida, October 28, 2008

Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds of Mannington WV was the guest speaker at the October 28, 2008, meeting of the Confederate Sons Association Camp Meeting of Titusville Florida.  The meeting was held at Jimmy’s Restaurant in Rockledge Florida.

Ms. Reynolds, who portrays a War Correspondent for the New York World, spoke on her role as a civil war reenactor, and the role of women during the War Between the States.  She shared several vignettes both in her first person presentation as well as historical information regarding a number of significant historical characters from the period including Presidents Lincoln and Jefferson, Generals Lee, Grant, Meade, Buford, Longstreet and others.

The members of Indian River CSA Camp 47 were delighted by Ms. Reynolds presentation and her vast base of knowledge.   The Commander of the Camp, Mitch Morgan says he would recommend Ms. Reynolds as a gifted and talented presenter.  Ms Reynolds may be contacted at the following:

Ms Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds                                                                                  1020 ½ E Main St                                                                                                Mannington, WV 26582

Phone: 304-986-2982

For information regarding the Indian River CSA Camp 47, contact:

Mr. Mitch Morgan                                                                                    morgan14@cfl.rr.com                                                                                 www.csacamp47.org

 

 

 

Federal Generals Corp particpates in Old Bedford Village, Bedford, Pennsylvania, Annual Christmas Open House.

Bedford, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2008

The Federal General Corp particpated in the Annual Old Bedford Christmas Open House again this year.  Present were Generals Rawlin, Buford, Custer, Grant, Averell, Crook, Col Hartranft, Maj Britton, Cpl Compton, Sgt Clem, Presiedent Lincoln and a Pinkerton Man.  Several of the civilians of the FGC also particpated including one of the Sisters of Charity from Emittsburg, the War Correspondents and several family members of the Generals.  Chris Opdenaker, (Mrs. Rawlins) coordinated the activities for the evenings.  The Generals and Civilians were divided between two houses and set up a traditional Civil War home setting for the evening.  Light refreshments were readily available throughout the night.  Approximately 500 visitors attended the evening open house and interacted with the Generals and the President. 

Following the close of the evening, the Federal Generals Corp held their annual meeting.  The coming years schedule ws presented and discussed.  Joe Shaffer (Gen. Buford) will forward the list of proposed events for distribution to the group.  Chris and Abby were thanked for their work on the web site.  Chris reported that the unit flag was about finished and would be available for the coming season.  Everyone was thanked for their particpation throughout the year and all said they were looking forward to the coming year as well.  The meeting was adjorned at 11:00pm.

  

Abigail Reynolds is the Guest Speaker for the Indian River CSA Camp  47 of Titusville, Florida.

Titusville Florida, October 28, 2008

Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds of Mannington WV was the guest speaker at the October 28, 2008, meeting of the Confederate Sons Association Camp Meeting of Titusville Florida.  The meeting was held at Jimmy’s Restaurant in Rockledge Florida.

Ms. Reynolds, who portrays a War Correspondent for the New York World, spoke on her role as a civil war reenactor, and the role of women during the War Between the States.  She shared several vignettes both in her first person presentation as well as historical information regarding a number of significant historical characters from the period including Presidents Lincoln and Jefferson, Generals Lee, Grant, Meade, Buford, Longstreet and others.

The members of Indian River CSA Camp 47 were delighted by Ms. Reynolds presentation and her vast base of knowledge.   The Commander of the Camp, Mitch Morgan says he would recommend Ms. Reynolds as a gifted and talented presenter.  Ms Reynolds may be contacted at the following:

Ms Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds                                                                                  1020 ½ E Main St                                                                                                Mannington, WV 26582

Phone: 304-986-2982

For information regarding the Indian River CSA Camp 47, contact:

Mr. Mitch Morgan                                                                                    morgan14@cfl.rr.com                                                                                 www.csacamp47.org