Another early bit of writing for the 1st Minnesota
newsletter. That Yank with the disgusted look on his face later became a pard with
whom I still correspond. I was introduced to his unit at this event, and later
joined it. - Jonah
Miscellaneous Ramblings – June 1985
Let me first start with an apology. Having never seen the New Market battlefield or the Shenandoah Valley and not being terribly interested in ordinance or tanks, I decided to attend the Battle of New Market and not be with my regiment and brigade at Aberdeen. I should have taken Willy's advice and done both as the battle was only on Sunday and most of Saturday was spent drilling under what sometimes became a very hot sun. So, I apologize to the 1st Minnesota and Warren's Brigade. However, I learned a few things that weekend.
1. Reenactors are usually very nice people. I was planning to get either the Irish Brigade or the 110th Pennsylvania to adopt me for the event, but neither group was there Friday evening. Hearing of my plight, the 8th Ohio (remember them from Sayler's Creek?) offered to let me march, camp, and fight with them, and I gladly accepted. Being in that unit made the event an enjoyable one, and if there comes a time when we somehow don't get brigaded with the other groups in Warren's Brigade, I would like to see us form a company with the 8th Ohio and the 49th Indiana. Both regiments are spirited and professional and make our hobby all the more enjoyable.
2. Reenacting petty military detail can be fun, too. For instance, the officer of the 8th Ohio insisted that we have a roll call and tent inspection in the morning. This had the effect of establishing unit camaraderie and making the camp look more orderly. It can also help you keep the contents of your haversack and knapsack from getting lost.
3. First-person impressions really do help make things authentic. While we were on the field forming up for our battle with the Rebs, I glanced around in back of me and noticed an Ohioan writing a letter home that began “To my dearest wife, from on the Field of Battle..." One of the musicians, fearing perhaps that the upcoming battle would be his last, had his name pinned onto his sack coat. The most memorable image, however, came after a Reb battery fired three quick rounds into our ranks and "killed" four men. A Yank next to me looked down at the bodies and had a look of disgust on his face, as if he was actually viewing four mangled corpses!
Perhaps during the next big tactical event we can keep a few of these things in mind. I think it can make the difference between a so-so event and an enjoyable one!
