The following is General Allen Baldwin & General Brian Gesuero’s detailed after action report
of last weekend’s 150TH Gettysburg National Civil War Reenactment event winter planning
meeting:
February 15, 2013
To our fellow Reenactors,
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| Generals Baldwin & Gesuero hold Event Permits issued from both townships. |
This past Saturday, the second organizational meeting for the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Representing the Confederate and Union Armies, and the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee, more than 100 Reenactors demonstrated incredible enthusiasm and commitment for this event. Some Reenactors came from as far as 1000 miles to take part in this meeting as we had a carload from Tennessee that had traveled two days to make it and a division commander and his staff from the western part of Indiana. It is sacrifices such as these which shows us the belief in and commitment to the event and its what keeps us going to provide the best event possible by Reenactors for Reenactors.
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| Working lunch meeting – planning, eating and fraternizing. |
The meeting began with introductions of the Federal, Confederate, and GAC staffs. Every Division and Branch command was well represented. We also recognized each organization that was in attendance. The list was quite impressive. But before any further business was discussed we made sure to show the actual event permits from Cumberland and Straban Townships to those in attendance and offered copies of these permits. We wanted to make sure that there was no doubt that we had the permits, no letters of intent, lists of items to be completed, promises that they are coming, it is clear WE DO HAVE THE NEEDED PERMITS. After the introductions a brief overview was given on the living history and skirmish at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, including the Saturday afternoon Cavalry skirmish at Hunterstown. This will be two great opportunities for those that are coming to town early for the 150th Gettysburg or want to drop in for the day to experience a once in a life time reenacting experience and opportunity.
Next, we had an in depth overview of logistics for the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment. Many events tell you that they have good logistics. Well, the GAC delivers. Everything was discussed from the onsite registration process for the different branches; port a johns, wood, hay, water, ice, to the dedicated and committed on scene EMS and Fire protection. Many questions were fielded and answered. We had direct answers on everything because the GAC does this every year. The infrastructure is in place and has proven itself. The GAC has the equipment and resources to take care of the Reenactor. These excellent and well planned logistics and proven history of well supported events are the reason that the permitting process was not a major undertaking for 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment.
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| Generals Baldwin & Gesuero take questions from nearly 100 senior military staff from across the United States. |
For the breakout sessions, everybody sat down for a working lunch while maps of the battlefield were on projector screens on both ends of the room. The infantry, both blue and gray, took the front table while the cavalry and artillery gathered around in circles in the middle of the room. Scenario by scenario, these groups went through and discussed each action and their part in it. The room was full of lively discussions from front to back. You would not believe the excitement. After ample time for lunch and the scenarios, we reconvened the meeting to review the scenarios as a group. We discussed them and worked through each one, step by step, scenario by scenario. Battlefield utilization, combined branch operations, historical accuracy, everything was discussed and more importantly, we worked on it together. Every voice heard, every branch represented, by Reenactors, for Reenactors. We finished the meeting by fielding questions from the breakout sessions and scenario reviews, and providing answers.
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| General Gesuero confers with Stan Daywalt who participated in The Gettysburg 100th Anniversary. |
Stan Daywalt, a Reenactor of over 50 years, provided our closing comments by addressing the
attendees and speaking about our need to uphold our standards and police our own ranks. Everyone could agree with his points and they were well received. Stan was a participant in the 100th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg in 1963, as well as several of the larger anniversary events that followed. It was good to hear his perspective on what we as Reenactors are doing right, as well as what we need to improve. One area that has improved is the line of communication from event hosts and commanders down to the men in the ranks. Our maps, scenarios, schedules, etc, are all on the GAC public website for anyone to review.
Last but not least, a site visit was offered to all. Over 60 people drove to the site where they received a full site tour including the Union and Confederate camps and parking, the expanded battlefields, the 6 new stream crossing areas, and additional lands we have for camping and a tactical. Everyone was in agreement about the quality of the site and the endless possibilities we have there. For many, this was the first time to this site. Nothing but positive comments came from the visit. People were in disbelief at the piles of firewood already staged in the camping area. There is no doubt that the GAC will be ready come July 2nd when camps open to Reenactors.
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| General Baldwin points out features of the battlefield at the Wall. |
The 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment is truly a team effort from start to finish. Everyone in attendance was excited about their ability to have a say in how we run this event. We both have been flooded with emails and phone calls since the meeting. The level of enthusiasm is incredible. One confederate Reenactor wrote “For the first time in my 25 years of reenacting, the organizers of a “National” event reached out to the reenacting community and asked for their input. The Commanding Generals are to be commended on your love of the hobby, and your dedication to the Reenactor. I heard nothing but good remarks and comments coming from the others in attendance. I personally had the chance to see old friends and make many more new ones, even some Yankees. I for one have never been this excited to be part of such a great event.” I think this says it all.
With current registration numbers reaching close to 7000, it is obvious that this is the event Reenactors are choosing to attend. With this kind of enthusiasm, this kind of teamwork “by Reenactors, for Reenactors,” this kind of turnout from the reenacting community, and by far the best logistical infrastructure of any reenactment, the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary National Civil War Battle Reenactment will be an event that we will be proud of and always remember.
We respectfully remain,
Brian Gesuero Major General Allen Baldwin,
General, Commanding Commanding, U.S. Forces
Provisional Army of the Confederate States
“Nous sommes la Legion”
