Camp of Instruction Registration

Our next Corps event will be the Camp of Instruction in Neersville, VA on September 16-18.

Registration is due on September 1, after that walk ons are welcome. If you register as a walk on please see Tony Zusman at the event to check in.

Complete information and registration forms can be found at www.longstreetscorps.com/Events/COI2005/index.html and any questions you may have can be answered by the Adjutant.

Why should your company come to the COI. Quite simply this event has become as important as the Corps meeting. While we elect officers and set event schedules at the Corps meeting, the COI gives us the opportunity to set the "on field" policy of the Corps.

It is an opportunity to gain on field knowledge for drill, authenticity and safety. It is also one of the few opportunities where all branches and staff can meet to work on safety measures and scenario planning. As a result of the past two years work we were able to safely work the infantry and artillery together at Gettysburg and have the infantry advance through the artillery line after the artillery barrage. Something we would not have considered in the past.

This year the cavalry will have representatives to teach us about life in the cavalry and safety when fighting around horses.

The ladies are invited also as we will have a ladies seminar to be held in the new Saloon building. Nationally known speaker Belinda Wommack will cover topics for both the beginner and advanced civilian reenactor. On Sunday Chef Stinky Vannoy will give a few of his tips on cooking for the masses.

I will not go into detail on the Saturday evening activities, I will just say the 5th Virginia will be there so fill in the blanks.

Sunday will see the return of the Officer/NCO's vs. the enlisted tactical and the Longstreet Olympics. Bill Russell will defend his quick load and fire title against all comers. For the ladies we will hold our first annual "Frying Pan Toss" so practice tossing your regulation frying pan at your husband. Prizes will be awarded!.

We look forward to seeing you at the COI!

Say a prayer tonight for our brothers down South

I've spent the work day today watching the progress of hurricane Katrina and now the pictures of the devastation are coming in.

Take a moment this evening to say a prayer for our brothers in the 48th Alabama, Marshall's Battery, Florida Light Artillery, Pulaski Battery and Captain Barry Woods (8th Virginia, Co. I&F).

I had already heard word of a tornado touching down in the town Barry lives in so we hope he is OK. I have been in contact with Shane Smith, Col. of the Hardee Guard Battalion who said the storm had not reached him yet in Chattanooga. He promised to keep me posted on the guys further south.

We all hope for the best for our brothers and their families.

And now...back to the war

I know many of you are relieved to see this site go back to the Civil War Once again thank you for indulging me as I digressed for a few weeks.

Most of us have been filling the lull in the action by going to smaller events (White Sulphur Springs, Summer of '62, local living histories). Small events are a valuable part of our hobby and important for us to attend.

They often serve as a recruiting opportunities which allows our unit plus the hobby to grow. They also give us an opportunity to visit and meet people from other units, often outside of Longstreet's Corps. This is also a valuable opportunity as it gives us the chance to learn how other organizations work in the field and to form friendships that will help us in the long run.

And so my saga ends

Well folks it had to end sooner or later. Yes my week long odyssey ended with a trip to that most sacred of hollowed ground, the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Apparently they have had some problems there

(visits by Ray Lewis and Sean Taylor perhaps?)

I got there a week after the Hall of Fame enshrinement for this year. The big names for the year were Dan Marino and Steve Young and banners, shirts and pennants were everywhere honoring them.




After you have gone to so many Civil War era museums it is kinda strange seeing "modern" stuff enshrined in a hollowed hall. Growing up with football in the late 60'sand 70's it was odd seeing history I remember and names like Staubach, Bradshaw, Lamonica, Olsen and Lombardi.


Perhaps I was supposed to be there the week before?

One bit of Civil War history involved former Giant and Redskin, and current voice of the Redskins Sam Huff (the most feared man in football). I found that this enshrinee was named Robert Lee Huff by his parents after General Lee himself. You just can't get away from that Civil War trivia.

This is Sam Huff

If you are a fan and ever get that far into Yankeeland this is definitely worth taking time to see.

You all have been most patient as I chronicle my quest to meet Peyton Manning (Football) to see if he is related to Peyton Manning (Civil War). I did not get the opportunity to ask Peyton any questions but I did read in my time off a description of Manning (Civil War) as being a wiry, scrawny little fellow who "could not have weighed more than a hundred pounds" and had a high-pitched voice but he was an excellent officer and served Longstreet well. Put that against today's Manning (6' 5" 230#) an we assume either their is not a link or breeding has improved the Manning clan greatly.

Keith Jackson, who will be the official voice of my upcoming biography.

Most of what I was doing here was tutorial work for learning how to do this. I promise next week I will get on with the business of the Corps.

**Footnote -- Watching the NFL Network today they had a show on Colts Training camp. There, on the sidelines, you see me in my big CW Panama hat, drinking Gatorade just like the pros.

I help set a world record

Sorry for the lack of communication and wrapping up the big vacation. You know how it is, it's over before you know it and it takes a few days after to recover.

As I said earlier, this vacation was for Private Pete. I had to salvage what fun I could out of this tour. So, since it was only 90 minutes out of the way, we headed to Alexandria, IN, the home of the World's Largest Ball of Paint.


First stop on the way home




Yes it truly is the world's largest (according to Guinness) and I painted coat number 39,079 on it. Michael Carmichael started the ball 27 years ago when he and a friend accidentally dropped a baseball into a can of paint. From there he started adding coats of paint until today, 39,079 layers later it weighs nearly 1,300 pounds.

I first saw this on CBS Sunday Morning a few years back and just a few weeks before the trip the story was replayed, like kismet it was my calling to paint a piece of history.


Paint ball creator Michael Carmichael

And what was it like to make history, you ask? Like so many things the journey was long but the actual work only took about 15 minutes. I used Infantry Blue (not Yankee blue), splattered a little on myself for luck and Viola I was done.


I can now say, regarding the Worlds' Largest Ball of Paint, Been there, Done that, Bought the T Shirt!

We finish the trip Friday and return to Corps business next week.

Spending the Day in Camp

To say the least professional football camp is nothing like Civil War camp. God knows if the infantry was drilled this much for two hours at a time we would join the Union. It certainly was hot enough though and I did answer the age old question...are the spectators as hot as us when in shorts and T shirts...pretty damn close!

Watching a pro football training camp is a lot slower than a real game. It is a lot like movie making. Any of you who were in God's & General's would feel at home with all the standing around, a short burst of action then "back to one".

It is amazing to see these guys you have seen on TV so much in person. However, they seemed so much smaller in real life.


In camp, there is a lot of this going on

But Tony, what happened to your search for an interview with Peyton Manning on his Civil War ancestors? Well, Manning is an elusive person at practice. Anyone who has watched him play knows he is an intense student of the game and his practice sessions are all out, just like the games. He puts players through their paces harder than some of the coaches. But I finally got my moment today. I didn't get much of an interview but he did allow me to get a picture with him.

Pro players are a lot smaller in person

Right now you are probably wondering how much of an idiot I really am. I must apologize for tonight's report as I found out, just as I was really getting some good pics, that you are not allowed to take pictures with a digital camera or video at the Colt's camp. Film is OK but no digital pics. So I had to stop but the pressure of the story deadline compelled me to bring you this.

So as I wait for my film pictures to develop, I can only report on the spectators. I shall leave you this evening with a look at the average Colt's female fan. Perhaps there was more to see than a bunch of sweaty football players.

Me and Peyton Manning (Football). I am sure
you can see the resemblance to Peyton Manning
(Civil War) almost immediately.


This gal was actually standing between her boyfriend and the practice, yakking about a new outfit she had to buy for a party on Saturday. He wasn't listening but half the stadium was watching.

Tune back in tomorrow as we bring you....

What a kicker does during practice.





Just an average fan

Everybody loves somebody.....sometime

Well fellow Corps members the long awaited vacation from the war and the problems of the Corps has begun.

After an overnight stay in Pittsburgh it was on to find Peyton Manning and a long trek across the endless bounds of Ohio and Indiana. My apologies to those who may be from Ohio, but man that is a boring state. We blew all our fun tickets in the first few feet of Ohio by stopping at Steubenville, the "City of Murals".


A few moments with Deano

I saw no murals but there was a lot of grafitti. Steubenville is most well known as being the birthplace of Dean Martin. I stopped by the site recognizing his life there, had a quick drink and bid Deano adieu.

It took until 11:00 pm to get to Terre Haute. I later found out it was only 10:00 as this one small section of Indiana does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Already I am traveling back in time.

Private Pete was pissed as she found out that morning practice was canceled and the afternoon practice was in limbo due to future thunderstorm warnings. Imagine my feelings knowing I had traveled two days and may not see Peyton Manning. mumble, grumble, mumble.

With time off we were off to explore the fantastic sites of Terre Haute. First stop was the Clabber Girl Baking Soda factory (http://www.clabbergirl.com/history.htm) Oh my, my fun meter was pegged!


The Clabber Girl Baking Powder Factory Tour

A quick comeback was made by stopping at the Terre Haute Brewing Company. A small brewery by Legends standards but not a bad Amber Bock.

If there is beer being brewed he will find it!

Check back with us tomorrow and we will finally get to training camp and check out some Civil War stuff around town.

Colonel Tony's Big Adventure

Keep an eye on the blog the week of August 8-12 as I report on "Colonel Tony's pursuit of Payton Manning"







I'm going on vacation where?






The adventure will take me to fabulous Terre Haute Indiana the site of the Indianapolis Colt's training camp. Why you ask? Because of all the places I could go on vacation Private Pete chose this one.

But fear not, I will do everything I can to find Civil War related topics. Did you know that Longstreet's ordnance officer was named Payton Manning (Hey Nick, take that you Ravens fan you...lol). I will also be passing through the birthplace of famous staff officer, Mike Roush, and will attempt to paint a coat of gray paint on the world's largest ball of paint.

Keep an eye on the blog for my progress. Sign up for update notifications on the right

Lt. Col. Tony

A Longstreet Wedding

I just returned from the social event of the season, the wedding of Carl Brandt and Laura Shoemaker of the 5th Virginia Infantry. The event was held on Saturday August 6, in Staunton, Va. and was well attended by members of the 5th and 6th Virginia.

The wedding was followed by a reception and quickly after that to a large party in their honor at the home of Colin and Teresa Hester. The fact the bride and groom did not attend did not dampen the party atmosphere. Imagine the usual 5th Virginia Saturday night around the campfire only this with the convenience of colder beer and more comfortable clothing.


The Bride & Groom

Truly one of the advantages to our hobby is that we make so many friends. Events, such as this, help to fill the lull in the action between events. There was no shortage of the usual campfire stories of battles and friends past.

Please join me this evening in wishing Carl and Laura well in their future and to the members of the 5th and 6th, may your hangovers end by work time Monday.

The Three Tenors
(Waverly Adcock, Ben Narduzzi, Bruce Houle)

It's good to be the Colonel

I read today that Dr. Phil just signed a multi year/multi million dollar contract that will keep him dispensing advice through 2014.

I admire Dr. Phil, first off he is rich and second most of his advice is just common sense no one seems to think of.

As adjutant I have become the unofficial Dr. Phil to a lot of peoples problems. Most involve the hobby to some respect but occassionally I get a personal problem or two. I have even dispensed advice recently on problems where reenacting and personal life crossed boundries.

Someting I have noticed over the years are that most "Problems in the Corps" occure when we have a lull in the reenacting season. Most happen over the winter but here in the middle of summer I seem to be dealing with a lot of personal strife within the Corps. Nothing serious for the whole of the Corps but to each individual it is very important. For that reason I do listen and dispense what help I can. Sometimes all a person needs is for someone to listen.

So my free Dr. Tony advice for today is before you get all bent out of shape thinking someone is doing you wrong, take a serious look at the situation. Instead of starting a rumor that you are being done wrong try talking to the people involved. You might be surprised it all wasn't as bad as you thought.

That will be $1 million, thank you.

Tony

Fellow members of Longstreet's Corps,

It has often been said that we lack regular communication from Longstreet's Corps. My usual reply is that there really is not that much going on. No news is good news my friends.

Well, modern technology has once again conspired to help keep the masses up to date. I have decided to attempt a Blog (Nick says it is greek for senseless ramblings), to give you some insight into the daily (or so) operations of the Corps, or at least the Adjutant's office.

So, pull up a julip, keep a watch out and bear with me as I attempt to master the latest technology.

YOS

Tony Zusman

Lt. Col., Adjutant

Longstreet's Corps