BACK! BACK! SETTLE DOWN!

It is guaranteed, approximately three days after Cedar Creek I will get the first e-mail asking for a list of events for next season. I did once get a request in July for the following seasons events.

Gentlemen, I have been putting together the listing of upcoming events from the Corps for about the past 10 years...I have never let you down.

At this time of year most of the regular events we attend are winding down and going over after action reports. Plans for the next year are still just a small glimmer. If you look at some of the web sites for the "annual events" (such as Endview, New Market and Cedar Creek) you will see they still have the 2006 event info posted. Mc Dowell, an every other year event, has it's site up but it is still under construction.

I normally start gather intelligence on future campaigns in November. Sources I use are Civil War News, the Web, camp gossip and other major units. My final check is the early January Civil War News when they post their annual calendar. I once asked one of my contemporaries in another large organization for a listing of the events they presented at their November meeting. He returned a calendar of three events! True, they don't offer the wide scope of events I do on the Corps calendar.

Speaking of, why do I list small events and things all the way in New York? With our membership covering the entire East coast I try to show events that all Corps members may be interested in. Many times the "small" events are ones sponsored by Corps units and we like to make that known to all. I don't expect all the Virginia units to pack up one weekend and go to an event in Buffalo but, remember, those Buffalo units make it to 3-4 events down here in Virginia.

So what do I know so far. I can safely say that New Market, Cedar Creek and Gettysburg will happen in 2007. Watch for Mc Dowell, a possible Valley Campaign event at Cedar Creek and a new event in Isle of Wight County, VA. As for Sharpsburg, General Maupin says he has not been contacted. There is rumor swirling around of a small, "limited number" or "Campaigner" Sharpsburg event but nothing solid.

For now if you have any solid leads on events, or you are sponsoring one next season, send me the info. I will put the calendar up on the Corps web site around mid-November.

And in case you were wondering, yes there will be a special theme to this years calendar.