The Civil War At Endview Plantation

Today starts my favorite reenactment of the season, Endview Plantation's spring event. The theme is always something along the lines of "The Road To Richmond" with the battle scenarios taken from the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. Not really surprising considering Endview was used as a field hospital by both sides during that campaign. In fact, Lee Hall Plantation just a couple miles west of Endview was Prince John Magruder's headquarters. Last year the battle was Gaines Mill and I still don't understand why we merged with the VA boys instead of them merging with us. After all it was TEXANS that carried the works at Gaines Mill. We shoulda been marching under the Wigfall Flag instead of the Virginia flag. Sometimes I just don't get it, there are actually people in this country that believe their state is as important to the universe as is Texas. I certainly don't think so! The year before last, the scenario was Seven Pines and before that it was Williamsburg. This year's scenario is Mechanicsville. I must confess I am not as knowledgeable about this battle, also known as Beaver Damn Creek, as I oughta be. I do know it was one of the Seven Days actions in which Lee drove McClellan into a "change of operating bases". I certainly can't pinpoint why always is my favorite event of the season, but it is. It is fairly small with only one regimental sized unit per side, and it always hard to find federals. They never make much of a turn out south of Fredericksburg for some reason. The 7th NY Cav always makes a good show and sometimes the National Regiment makes an appearance but usually it falls to the 32 VA to galvanize. I had planned on galvanizing this year myself but Uncle Sugar decided to galvanize me desert brown instead of federal blue. For sure I will miss sitting with my mess mates around the cook fire. They still all make fun of me 3 years ago this was the first event I attended with my Virginia unit after I was stationed in Virginia. I thought I was a hard core campaigner and I would show these east coast garrison campers a thing or two. I froze my wee danglees off , ended up moving into one of the cabins and was sick for a week afterwards. They will never let me forget it. Wish I were there.

TO THE TYRANT NEVER YIELD