The Adjutant's Blog

Back in the Saddle Again

2008-10-08T22:43:00.010-04:00

Well pards it has been awhile since I have lit up the telegraph and addressed the masses. Seems the post Gettysburg "hangover" was a long one this time. Good thing the 145th Anniversary only happens once every 145 years.

Since the big Gburg event, life has been pretty much filled with sleep, white russians, planning for Chickamauga and shooting at the bank reposessors. From there I moved on to my work with the Foundation for Future Adjutants and, of course, my attendance as a key note speaker at the Annual Adjutant's Convention in Las Vegas.

All this leads up to our upcoming event at Cedar Creek. No big command, only the Corps, no big commitment, just a good end of the season event where we can all come together for one last good time. I am looking forward to a break from the real world.

Good news for Cedar Creek is gas prices in my end of Valley have dropped quite a bit in the last week. I don't know what you are paying in your part of the world (haven't been able to afford to travel much lately) but we have seen prices in the $2.80's, just in time for the event.

Taking a look at what we have done since Gettysburg. We had very good reviews for Gburg both from the Corps and from all other parties involved. Having been involved in many of these big events, I was amazed at how smoothly things went on the command and event sponsor levels. When a problem arose it was take care of quickly. The only major incident came after the event. Immediately after the event news spread around the internet about a news report detailing a fight breaking out during Pickett's Charge. I personally investigated the incident and spoke to the parties listed in the story and their Union counterparts. All reported they saw nothing and no injuries were accounted for in their commands. It appears the story was simply a use of "literary licence" by some one who should have his licence revoked.

The planning for Chickamauga became more of a nightmare than anything that could have been thrown at us at the event. Our biggest hurdle was the prospect of $4.00+ a gallon gas and people, flatly, not being able to afford to go. The Corps tried to help by making charter bus travel available, however, we were only able to get 12 people interested in filling a 40 person bus. We set up a web page to arrange for carpools but no one took advantage of that. Perhaps if things get harder in the future this type of service may be more of a help to the membership. I would like to thank Eric Powell and Bill Russell for their work in planning the bus trip.

"General" Russell and Rick Miller procure a ride back to camp at Chickamauga.

General Cornett sent Capt. Bill Russell, 47th Va, to command the Corps. Attendance was reported at about 125 for the Corps. General Russell commanded a brigade made up of the Corps and the Hardee Guard Battalion.

The event hosts treated us well and the Corps even had an opportunity to march in parade for dignataries, including Vice President Dick Chaney. The battles proved a good challange and riding into battle on the train was a unique experience.

Ask anyone who has reenacted as long as I have about doing events in the deep South and you wouldn't get a good response from most. Recollections of events such as "ChickaMUDDA" and demands that we galvanize for half the battles kinda leave a bad impression in our memories. From the sounds of things at this event and the friends we have found in the deep South, we may have to consider more events in that theatre.

A Role Model to all Reenactors

2008-05-30T00:03:00.007-04:00

I was on my way to bed this evening when the last story on the news announced the passing of veteran comic actor Harvey Korman. Truly this is a passing that will reverberate throughout our community.

Korman gave us unlimited gag lines used at any event from such classics as Blazing Saddles, History of the World Part I and many others.

I recall a time when Chuck Hillsman was giving an inspiring speech to the staff before a big anniversary event. He told us, "these are heady times for us all," to which several of us quickly replied, "that's Headley!"

So here's to Harvey Korman, Go do that voodoo that you doo so well.

Harvey Korman Circa 1998 during the filming of
The Adjutant Never Sleeps, The Tony Zusman Story
pictured with Korman, Raul Zapata as Phil Gomez,
Slim Pickens as Waverly Adcock and Slick E. Bouy as John Wagstaff

Thanks for the Memories

2008-05-19T19:12:00.008-04:00

New Market did not disappoint, it rained enough to make things interesting. It rained in 1864 when the VMI boys charged, it rained Sunday afternoon 25 years ago, it rained this weekend on and off. What is New Market without a little rain.

I wanted to take a moment in the blog to thank everyone for their kind comments on the last posting and on my anniversary. I received a wonderful anniversary present that I did not expect, throughout the weekend as folks came and wished me well they took a moment to relate their stories of their first event. I love to hear stories almost as much as I like telling them so bring them on. Click the comment button below and I will add them to the blog for other to see.

On Saturday afternoon I spent the better part of an hour visiting with Buddy Bare of the 8th Virginia. Buddy filled me in on stories of his 40 years in reenacting and pretty much caught me up to what I missed in the 15 years before I joined. Many will remember that Buddy was quite under the weather over the past year and we almost lost him a few times. I am happy to report he looks wonderful and may have more energy than I do right now.

I was reminded this week, while going through all the hoopla, of another story from my first months as a recruit. At my second meeting of Mahone's Brigade the colonel in command stood up and announced that after 25 years in the hobby he was retiring. My thought ... 25 years, damn that's old. It took Bobby Compton of the 28th VA to say it to me ... 25 years, damn that's old.

There is a lesson to be learned here, the farther away we come from being a new recruit we tend to forget how we felt when we first joined. The one thing I took away from this weekend was that everyone felt a little overwhelmed at first at this strange hobby. Next to paintball there are not too many social activities where you shoot at people for fun. Be kind to the new recruit, help them understand this unique hobby. We, as officers, often put personal opinions of events, other commanders and assumed politics in the way of these new recruits enjoying themselves and learning. While we do our best to look after their best interests remember that most new recruits just want to get into the next battle and burn some powder, they don't really care if the event commander once insulted you in some way.

So it begins, the big anniversary season. I did not get the t-shirts, bobble heads or even the Mariachi band for headquarters for all my adoring fans. What I did get was good times and good memories with good friends. That is quite a reward for surviving this long.

25 Wonderful Years ... the saga begins.

2008-05-14T17:39:00.014-04:00

A friend passed along word that my Blog had made it big time and was critiqued on another web site about the Civil War. The review ... Well written but talks a lot about being burned out on the hobby.

Well friends, that was the past two years. I think we were all a little scorched around the edges prior to this season. This year I have a lot to be thankful for in our hobby and one of the biggest is that it is my 25th Anniversary in Civil War reenacting! (Cue the balloons).

Yes indeed, both Stinky and I can trace our beginnings to the Battle of New Market in 1983. He with the 18th Virginia Co. G, I with the 41st Virginia of Mahone's Brigade. Now I know what a lot of you are thinking ... Tony was a private once? Well it is true, we all have to start at the bottom.

I had been recruited in March of that year at Ft. Boykin, the site of the annual School of the Soldier for Mahone's Virginia Brigade. I elected to come to Sayler's Creek, the first event of the season, as a spectator to get a better feel for the hobby I had just joined. This would prove later in life to be a wise decision.

Sayler's Creek was a tough event back then, close to what we would now consider a "progressive" event. Back then we considered it as close to the war as you were going to get without real bullets flying at you. At Sayler's Creek you would sleep on the ground with little cover, there were no families attending and few sutlers. The battles were renowned for being Death Marches all consumed with the Yankees chasing us through three counties. Bottom line, if you knew you couldn't do it then don't come. Admittedly, as a spectator, I did not see the hardship that befell the participants and only saw the battles, from that standpoint I was hooked.

So fast forward one anxious month to the middle of May and I am off to New Market for my first event. I didn't shave for a week to get that scruffy Confederate look, I packed beef jerky and water for food and came armed with $50 to start buying gear. I was instructed to look for Mahone's Brigade when I arrived and to check in with my Sergeant, Butch Petrey.

My wife and I took off early to get there and we arrived just as darkness had fallen. She unceremoniously dumped me off at the Confederate Camp with my blanket and sleeping bag, food and water. She was off to spend Mothers Day Weekend with her Mom who was about 15 minutes up the road. This always proved to be a convenient matter for us in years to come having the event that close to Mom.

Back in camp I went a looking for my new friends. I stopped at the first tent with soldiers and asked for Mahone's Brigade, reply, "I don't think they are here yet". Off to the next camp, "Yea I think they are over there on the other side of the camp." After walking back and forth for about an hour a group of three soldiers invited me over the the fire to rest for a moment. They were very hospitable, offered me some coffee, a little nip of something stronger and even to join them for part of their steak dinner. After about a half hour of conversation I realized I had found a good hobby with folks who were friendly and genuine. I bid my farewell and managed to trip into the next camp where I finally found Mahone's Brigade. It was the next day that the commanding general, George Heffner, rode up to me and addressed me by name and asked if I had ever found Mahone's Brigade. I told him I did and I did not realize who I was being entertained by. He spoke to me words I carry to this day, "I'm just an officer, if it wasn't for the privates we wouldn't have an event".

When I appeared in camp seemingly out of nowhere appeared Sergeant Petrey with a "where the hell have you been." He introduced my to five members of our company (all by nickname) and showed me to my tent. After getting settled I came out to meet folks but found everyone had already left the fire for other camps or had gone to bed. So I retired to my sleeping bag and blanket. I was amazed how soft the grass was where we camped, almost softer than my bed at home. I fell asleep thinking this reenacting stuff won't be so bad after all.

Morning came too early at 6:30am. I was very out of place, still in modern clothing but eager to get started. I was given a pair of pants that were two sizes too big and a coat that was too small, at least the shoes fit. A little later in the morning I was taken to the sutlers by Sergeant Petrey. "How much you got", he asked. With a reply of fifty from me, he came back with, "well I can spend that no problem".

We passed a lot of sutlers tents full of everything needed to become the complete soldier. Sgt Petrey gave his critique as we passed them all, "Don't buy from him he will rip you off, we don't use him he's an ass." Finally we show up at his destination, a skinny guy standing behind his car with the trunk lid open. I was kinda hesitant at first and confused, all these grand palaces of shiny military replica items that looked every bit as exciting as a Turkish Bizarre were not as good as a guy selling out of his trunk like a denizen of a Saturday morning flea market?

"Slick Rick, what's happenin," my sergeant called out to the seller as they shook hands like long departed friends. Set my friend here up, he needs a kepi, haversack and a belt with buckle. The gentleman set me up in short order pulling from various places in his car. Total came out to $48, the two dollars change promptly was snatched up by my sergeant, we will need this later he said. Funny as it was buying my first authentic soldier items from the back of a car it turned out the merchant was Dennis Boettcher of Fair Oaks Sutler fame. To the day I still have my belt and hat and I consider Dennis one of my dear friends in this hobby.

On the way back I discovered the need for the $2, in a show of good faith towards his new recruit my sergeant bought me a fresh squeezed lemonade, with my money. Back in camp I was told to get my gear on quick, time to learn how to be a soldier. I was thrown in a line with two other fresh fish. One proved to be David Perkins of the 12th Virginia Infantry. Over the years it has been speculated by Stinky and I that the other fish may have indeed been Stinky. I remember we pretty much mangled the drill. The corporal sent to drill us called us all hopeless. "If you are lucky you can just follow the guy in front of you. Just don't hurt anyone", he said.

The event for the day was the parade in town. Man this reenacting ain't bad, first comfy ground to sleep on now a parade. We would walk to the staging area, march through town and then catch buses back to camp. I was proud in my first formal activity as a Confederate soldier. I was all smiles as I passed my wife and her family on the parade route. It was all great, until the parade was over. Our 1st Sgt. gathers us up and announces, there will be no bus, we have to walk back to camp and the city wants us out of the park in five minutes. My first harsh reality as a soldier that every promised luxury is probably a lie engineered to get you to do something.

Sunday marked my first experience in battle. We were going in first, right after the artillery barrage. After the artillery show we were sent to the back of the Bushong House, between the house and barn, to meet the Federal skirmishers in the orchard. "Man, who would want to be artillery? They just stand back here and miss all the action", I thought. Our Captain held us up a little short in the backyard of the house. It was then that I heard the strange "zipping" noise that sounded a lot like bullets flying through the air. My first thought was what in the hell have I gotten myself into? I looked over at some of the guys old enough to be Vietnam veterans and noticed they had a real scary look on their faces. I knew this was authentic but not that authentic! It never dawned on me that the noise was just a strange concussion off the buildings from the blanks the Yankees were shooting. To this day I still love watching the new guys go into the yard and listen to the bullets.

Boy! This was exciting stuff. It was everything I read about and more! We were shooting as fast as we could, men dropping around us, the sergeant yelling us to keep a line formed. Then the word came, "Charge the Guns!" I took off hell bent for leather towards my Yankee foe, I was going to capture a cannon in my first battle. Only one problem, a gunner with his sponge was waiting for me. As I charged the gun he reared back with the sponge in a pose that was reminiscent of Babe Ruth getting ready to swat number 713 over the wall. I reached the gun and almost had my hand on the muzzle when it hit me. WHAP! I heard the sound and I was launched backward. When I awoke gasping for air, the little gunner was over me asking if I was ok. He caught me across the chest and knocked the air out of me pretty good. He sat with me for a moment as I regained my full breath, then he reached out a hand and said, "Good fight Johnny".

Thus ended my first battle. Lessons learned for that weekend. Don't give your money to the Sergeant, porta johns are nasty so eat more cheese the week before, don't believe any promises given by officers and lastly, those Yankee boys ain't so bad after all. Reenacting was good then, it is still good now.

Hard Times Come Again No More

2008-04-25T00:30:00.008-04:00

I am pretty sure the subject in everyone’s home right now is not if Lee could have won Gettysburg if he had Jackson, but rather how many Jacksons is it going to cost me to get to Gettysburg.

Looking back to when I started in the hobby, I remember thinking this was a pretty cheap way to get away from everyday life. I charged my rifle (which I think I just paid off last year) and I could spend about $25 on a weekend and cover my gas and food. All in all it was almost cheaper to go to an event on a weekend than to stay at home.

In March, as I was preparing for Endview, I actually had to look real hard at the budget for perhaps the first time. Suddenly getting from good old Woodstock to Newport News was going to cost quite a bit in gas, close to $75! I went to the store to buy the essentials (beer, jerky, OJ and soda) and that was $50. When I got the bill for Stinky cooking the big meals over the weekend I heard someone complain about the price going up. Stinky’s reply, “Ya bought a dozen eggs lately?”

Yea, the economy ain’t what it used to be and keeping the Yankees at bay is costing some serious green. The warning signs have been blowing gently on the breeze over the past few years. I listened as the Cavalry and Artillery guys complain that bounties paid by sponsors were not even putting a dent in the cost of getting to even the closest of events. Think of it, my infantry friends, would a $25 bounty to show up to an event even help you now a days?

Are thoughts of the economy going down the crapper getting you down, Bunkie? Well, there is an upside. I am here to tell you that being an experienced reenactor is not a bad thing during troubling times.

1. If we lose the house we still have the tent and we know how to camp.

2. We got guns!

3. We are used to subsisting on fatback, bacon and hardtack at least two days a week. If you have eaten Stinky’s cooking you are already conditioned to “road kill”.

4. When that Double frap, choco latte, grande, decaf goes up to $12, we can make our own coffee using a muslin bag and coffee grounds.

5. Lack of employment = more time to reenact. Perhaps we can just stretch the events out a week or two longer.

6. Most of us know how to make our own clothing. OK, so we will look like the folks at that polygamist compound in Texas but we will have clothes.

My friends in the “progressive movement” of the hobby may actually come out ahead with the current situation. For years now they have been encouraging the “mainstreamers” to cut down on the gear brought to events, get out of the tents and be a little more authentic. I predict once the mainstream element of the hobby switches from their big gas guzzling trucks to driving the wife’s economical Toyota sedan there will be a great reduction in the “extra” gear and tentage brought to events. The high price of food will certainly trim down us tubby bearded reenactors. All the manifesto’s and remarks on the campaigners forums can’t equal the effect on mainstream reenacting that a devalued dollar can wield.

One thing we tend to forget is that we are currently at war and traditionally things get a little lean during war times. Many of us also study WWII, imagine if Generation Y was faced with rationing, changing jobs for war production and shortages, like our families back then. "What do you mean Starbucks is only open three days a week? What do you mean I can't get Charmine?"

All kidding aside, we will have to wait and see what the future holds. Hopefully this will be a short term economical problem, or “adjustment” as the government likes to call them. But if not, I am afraid there is a lot more than our hobby that will change. Let’s get one last good season in before the change comes.

Soldier of the Year Deadline Looms

2008-02-26T20:29:00.005-05:00

February 29 is the day to fill the Sergeant Major's mailbox with entries for the Soldier of the year.

As a refresher, any enlisted man from a full member unit is eligible for nomination. This person, in the past year, should have shown abilities that rise him above the common soldier. Whether he has volunteered for a local historic site, speaks to school groups, helps his fellow soldier in camp or contributes in a special way to forward our cause, he can be nominated for the SOY.

Nominations should be written by the top sergeant in your organization and forwarded to the Sgt. Maj. Johnny Glazebrook at GLAZEBROOK44THVA@aol.com

The Post Corps Meeting Hangover

2008-02-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

I can tell the Corps Meeting is over ... my volume of e-mail has gone back to nearly nothing.Seems there is almost as much to do after the meeting as there is before. I should have all updates and notes on the meeting finished by this week. From there I will post them on the Corps web site.

If you check the website now, you will see our new cover page and the updated listing of unit contacts. The calendar has also been updated to reflect the events we have approved.

The new commander and his staff have been quite busy in the past few weeks, splitting time between the transition to command and getting ready for Gettysburg and Endview. It appears, among all the changes, that I have been offered a contract extension so I will be serving you all once again. I will be back to my old duties of event preparation and notifying you all of what is going on.

Communication will be a cornerstone of the new administration. Look for the new Blogs from General Cornett and Colonel Gallion. You have wanted to know what is going on in the Corps, well you now have three outlets reporting directly to all members.

Speaking of knowing what’s going on in the Corps, we would like to know what is going on in your company. Please forward your unit newsletters to me and I will post some of the interesting news on the Blog.

General Maupin was right, we needed to look to the future. The Corps has set its new direction. I guess the words of former Redskin coach George Allen are appropriate, "The future is now."

The new calendars are here, the new calendars are here!

2008-01-13T23:50:00.000-05:00

Like many of you my evenings have been full of reading e-mails and answering phone calls. As a result I am about a week behind on the Corps meeting preparation.

Finally, I have been able to upload a working calendar of events for 2008. This is complete with monthly calendar format and links to event info. All dates should be correct now. The calendar can be reached through the new and improved Corps Web Site.

Check back this week for updated agenda news and more.

Corps Meeting Agenda

2008-01-01T10:11:00.000-05:00

The 2008 Corps Meeting Agenda

The Annual Corps Meeting will be held January 26, 2008 in Fredericksburg.

2008 Agenda as of December 31, 2007

Deadlines for agenda items: January 6, 2008
New Units: December 31, 2007

Additional items may be sent to the AAG at Tzusman@aol.com

The following items are currently on the agenda:

Brief Presentations from Members and Guests

Committee Reports:

Treasurer/Insurance (Art Wingo)
a. Dues for 2008
b. Insurance fees for 2008

Scholarship (Art Wingo)
Camp of Instruction (Barry Woods, Bill Russell, Ray Pickett, and Terry Shelton)
Reenactors Liaison Committee (Mike Grudzinski)
Board of Review (Col. George Miller)

Membership:

Probationary Members seeking full membership:
a. 63rd Tennessee Infantry, Captain Jeffrey Noland
b. 56th Virginia Infantry, Lt. Brian Eads
Units seeking probationary membership:

Elections:

Election of Corps Commander
Election of two at large board members
Election of Corps Treasurer

2008 Events:

Corps Camp of Instruction:
Upcoming events calendar
Review Calendar
Additional events entertained from the floor
Vote on upcoming events

From the Branches:

Cavalry Issues for 2008 (Bvt. Brig. Gen. Barry Sheppard)
Topics from the Infantry Meeting (Col. Dan Shoemake)
Artillery Report (Bvt. Col. Craig Mc Cann)

Old Business:

Soldier of the Year Program (Sgt. Major Johnny Glazebrook)
Any other Old Business from the floor.

New Business:

Any other New Business from the floor

By Laws Revision

The following amendments are being reviewed by the By-laws Committee for possible consideration by the membership.

Revision to the make up of Corps Staff
Empowering the Board of Directors ability to refer matters that could cause undue harm to the Corporation to the Board of review.
Associate membership for units that do not meet regular. No voting privileges.

Last Call For Business:

Call for Volunteers to host the next meeting

2007-12-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

The Blog is Back!

Yes indeed the long silent Blog is back in use, for the time being, to bring you news concerning the Corps meeting.

We have been silent over the past few months for several reasons.

Lack of news from the top in the early part of the season. No News = No Blog.
Under our interim command, the top staff has worked with the member units delivering information by E-mail. News already sent = No blog reports.

Well, now the news is in my hands as it relates to the Corps meeting so look here for updates in the next few weeks. Hopefully, this week, I will also be able to access the Web Site once again. We are having a technical problem with the file manager that our site manager is working on. Since we get the site for a good price I am willing to give them a chance to fix it before going elsewhere.

To all, be of good cheer this holiday season, the Blog is back!

Tony Zusman

Colonel/AAG

Longstreet's Corps

The Adjutant's Blog is published for the information of the membership of Longstreet's Corps. The opinions expressed in the Adjutant's Blog are not necessarily those of Longstreet's Corps, or it's command, but merely the observances of Tony Zusman who happens to be a member of the Corps staff.

2007-04-10T22:07:00.000-04:00

Join us Saturday April 14 as we remember our old friend, and former commander, Chuck Hillsman.

The Corps has been invited to a memorial service and dedication at his former home Hickory Hill in Deatonsville, VA. Our hostess for the event is Margaret Lamb, Chuck's cousin who know owns Hickory Hill.

The event will begin at Chuck's gravesite at Bethel United Methodist Church (9200 South Genito Road, Jetersville, VA 23083) at 1:00pm. After a service there the event will move a short distance to Hickory Hill where we will dedicate a small memorial stone.

Complete information on the event can be found at
www.longstreetscorps.com/Events/Hillsmanmemorial/

We look forward to seeing all of Chuck's old soldiers at what could be our first veteran's reunion.

2007-01-30T18:33:00.000-05:00

The dust has settled on another Corps Meeting and the Corps marches on into another campaign season.

Work for me is not over yet, I am into the final phase of "the only three months he works on Corps Stuff". Over the next month I will be updating the Corps site, forwarding information from the meeting and generally seeing what the man in the field wants for the 2007 season.

Upon arrival at the meeting on Friday, it was apparent we had not seen each other in about three months. Hearty handshakes and hugs greeted our pards as the officers and staff arrived. The Corps meeting gives the commanding officers the unique opportunity to meet off the field in a social atmosphere and exchange ideas and swap old stories. It truly is a lot like the old veteran reunions of the past.

The Corps meeting is actually three meetings over the course of the weekend. The infantry meets on Friday evening and plans ahead for Saturday's meeting, reviewing the events calendar and discussing items from the previous season. Saturday holds the Corps Meeting itself. Sunday the Artillery meets to plan for its season of events.

A few trends were noted this year, mostly concerning events. We chose a lot of the smaller, corps unit sponsored events to give us something different to do. Interestingly, some of what we would expect to be "Mega Events" for the year (Valley Campaign and both Antietams) are limiting participation to 2000 troops. It will be interesting to see if this is an experiment or a new trend in the hobby.

All in all it was a good meeting. We voted in a new full member unit and accepted a new probationary unit, so the Corps continues to grow. A copy of the minutes will be posted in the upcoming week.

Check back to the Corps site and the blog over the weekend and the next few weeks for updates.

Enjoy Super Sunday. Go Colts!

2006-12-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays to you all!

The doldrums of December when all the packages have been opened and Christmas is behind us and New Years is on the horizon. uggggh, there is not a reenactment in sight.

Yes, we are solidly entrenched in winter camp with little to do but prepare for another campaign season. These are the times when dark thoughts enter the reenacters mind. Thoughts of what is going on wrong around us in the hobby or that perhaps it is time to seek a new hobby. I have received two letters in the past week with close friends questioning their continuation in the hobby. Two more told me they felt the hobby was dying. I can attest, friends, in 23 years of reenacting I have seen (and survived) many of the ups an downs of the hobby.

I remember well my first crisis, we all feared that the end of the 125th Anniversary series would do the hobby in. Dark days indeed. We had just been at a high point with 3000 reenactors at Gettysburg and actually did the surrender at Appomattox National park itself. There was no way we could keep the momentum without an anniversary to celebrate.

Then Ken Burn's Civil War came along and gave us a huge boost of intelligent reenactors. The "Ken Burns Generation" did an awful lot to improve the hobby with extensive research, improved authenticity of uniforms and equipment and enrichment of impressions.

The next downturn came as this group got bored and felt the hobby wasn't changing enough. "Without change the hobby would die!" A funny comment I always felt since we were portraying something that happened 135 years earlier. The "Ken Burns" Generation was looking for more, getting bored with the usual events. Some left, some became the new generation of commanders while others split time in other time periods. Some...Had families and left for suburban pursuits of mini-vans and grass cutting on weekends.

Along came a little movie called Gettysburg that perked the interest of a new generation of reenactor. There on the big screen was reenacting in all its Glory (oh yea, that movie helped too). The "Gettysburg Generation" gave us the expansion of the Mega Event. Larger battles, more troops on the field, bigger more drawn out events of three days plus. The whole hobby went from a "Company" mentality to "Battalions". We suddenly had to read the second half of the tactics manuals.

Battles got bigger but the soldiers still complained. Accusations of politics and favoritism to certain groups was going to ruin the hobby! I often found it funny that troops held in reserve were always angry that they were missing the battle. "We got shortchanged!" was the battle cry often heard. In actuality it was often, at these large events, that we still got the usual 45 or so minutes of fighting we just had to wait our turn.

Every few years we come upon a significant event that pumps up the hobby as a whole. Usually a big anniversary or a movie or other event. In recent years we have had a bit of a downturn. Some significant groups in the Corps have shrunk in number while others have prospered well. We have had no great movies (Cold Mountain didn't send fresh fish running to the recruitment office) in recent memory to improve things. Some would argue that portraying war during a current national conflict may also hurt participation. I do fear that our next big surge in enthusiasm may not be until the 150th series (it is coming sooner than you think) but I often wonder if the enthusiasm, in our politically correct society, will be as big as it was for the 100th Anniversary.

What is one to do when he finds himself straining to stay with his pards in the one activity he truly loved. Well, it all comes down to you!

First off RECRUIT! Nothing can rejuvenate a veteran soldier more than seeing some new guy come in wide eyed and full of amazement. It does a lot to remind one of their youth when they first started. It gives you someone to mentor and help along the way. It also give you someone fresh you can tell all those old jokes to around the campfire who might actually find them funny.

Second, look for new events. Not just a huge mega event but perhaps a small event or one sponsored by a fellow Corps unit. Small events give you that opportunity to walk around an meet folks, living histories give you an opportunity to educate the public and work on first person impressions.

Do something with your pards besides a reenactment. Why does the 5th Virginia always look like they are having a good time...Probably because they are. They often meet on off weekends to do, if nothing else, hang out and have a good time. My home unit used to take field trips to museums or battlefields and occasionally a hockey game or Busch Gardens. Camaraderie in places other than the field can bring a unit together and give members a much needed boost in participation.

Make every event interesting...Do not depend on the event sponsors or the Corps staff to plan every moment or activity for you during an event. We have plenty of time at an event where we are just lying around. DO SOMETHING....pay call, mail call, first person hours, etc.

One of my favorite things to do is make out 3x5 cards with short scenarios for people to do. Randomly hand them out at the beginning of the weekend. It will tell the person to perform some sort of first person impression at sometime during the weekend. Things like, "try recruiting everyone who comes by" or "Shirk all your duties".

A good friend of mine, who had reenacted for 30 years, had complained to me that the hobby was getting boring and he was thinking of quitting. The next weekend we did an event together at Ft. Norfolk where we were using the "Scenario Cards". His card read, "Try and escape the fort at any chance. Complain to anyone who will listen that you are only two miles from home and have not been there in a month and you want to see your family. The guards were alerted earlier to not allow anyone out of the fort without a pass. He and a pard spent the day devising ways to get out of the fort, all day I saw guards taking them "under arrest". At one point I saw them heading for the wall carrying a wooden ladder (how they found a period ladder I will never know) and a paint bucket, I didn't ask as I knew no good could have come from that. After the event he said the event was the most fun he had in the last 10 years.

Lastly, make those who don't show up feel like they missed something. I hate getting the e-mail from my company commander telling me about all the things I missed out by not coming out one weekend. Makes me feel like I won't miss another event in the near future.

So don't spend the cold months worrying about what is wrong with reenacting but, instead, think of something you can do to make it more enjoyable.

Happy New Year to you all. Next month we start working on the Corps meeting

2006-11-19T10:08:00.000-05:00

Updates and other news...Today we update you on some of our past stories and cover a few new items.

BURNOUT: No I am not quitting reenacting. I was amazed at how many folks came up to me at Cedar Creek saying they heard I was leaving reenacting. Nope, not leaving, I was just a little down.

Cedar Creek helped re-energize me in the hobby and seeing all my friends helped me to remember the best part of reenacting.

The Great Cap Crisis: I heard a lot of shooting going on at Cedar Creek (during my nap Saturday) so I assume everyone stormed the sutlers and bought all the good caps. Perhaps a lesson is in order here, stocking up on things like powder and caps is not a bad idea. Many may remember a few years back when we had a powder shortage. Sources are out there for units to buy these items in bulk. A purchase of a keg of powder and caps not only comes out cheaper in the long run but insures the availablility to your troops.

Lee/Jackson Monument Guard: Self proclaimed "Low Private" Ralph Cruise sends us word for the 23rd Annual Monument Guard on January 13, 2007. Remember that this year marks the 200th Anniversary of Lee's birth.

This is a small event but a most interesting activity. Soldiers will stand guard at the Lee and Jackson Monuments in Richmond for 90 minutes. I always liked the first shift when it started at 7:00am and you could watch the sunrise up Monument Avenue. This year the activities start at 8:00am and run until 3:30pm. Coffee and hardtack will be served to the troops.

If you did not receive information please contact Ralph at phasmid49@yahoo.com

The House: We have been in for one year now. Renovation this year was pretty much spent on fixing the serious problems like the leaky roof and the leaky basement. I got a quote on insulating the walls, $2500, and painting the metal roof, $2500 (I am starting to see a pattern here). Result, We are painting the roof ourselves and there is more plastic wrapping the house this year.

I have been amazed that most of our major problems were simple fixes. The leaky roof was repaired and painted for about $150 and four weekends of work. The leaky basement was due to a basement window that was open about an inch. Cost to repair $0.

Training Camp: I could not get the time off to go to training camp so Private Pete went alone. I heard something about my being a jinx on the Colts record last year so perhaps with my not being there they will win this year. Meanwhile I did sneak off to Ravens camp and look how good they are doing. GO RAVENS!

2006-10-29T18:24:00.000-05:00

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.

2006-10-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

The Great Cap Crisis is over!

Good news gentlemen, the great cap crisis of 2006 is now officially over. I spoke with Jack Venkoskie of Back Creek Gun Works on Sunday and the shipments of the "Good" caps have arrive in the states.

I will assume (and we all know about assuming) that sutlers at Cedar Creek will be stocked this weekend.

From what I was told the problem arose from a change in the corporate status of the manufacturer. The German company petitioned to become an American Corporation and did so successfully. It was later learned that their export license was then invalid as it only recognized the German company that no longer existed. Good old American red tape and paper work delays caused the company to not be able to ship orders until they were made legal.

So go celebrate this weekend and shoot off an extra tin of caps!

2006-10-15T22:02:00.000-04:00

Burnout: 1. To be too tired to do a once favored activity. A common malady for those who have been in the hobby for sometime.

This year marked my 23rd year in the hobby and I am afraid I have finally succumbed to this most feared of all reenacting diseases.

I can blame part of it on the work I am trying to do on the new house or trying to balance two jobs at the moment. I can also blame the lack of events this season but it seems I only made the ones that were on my side of the mountain.

So how can you tell you may be suffering from Burnout?

1. Your neighbors comment that your yard has never looked better.

2. You actually remember your kids names.

3. There is a stack of unread Civil War Times and Camp Chase Gazettes next to your bed.

4. You forget which side the cartridge box is supposed to go on.

5. The wood smoke smell has actually disappeared from your shell jacket.

Good God Man! This is serious! I didn't even have ajulepp this season.

I needed something torecoursee my willingness to reenact. I was getting a little excited around Camp of Instruction time but when it got cancelled it sent me further into depression. That left a lot of weeks until Cedar Creek. More time to work on my real life.

I apologize for not keeping things updated but honestly this year most things have been company events. My home unit, 6th VA Infantry, stayed closer to home this year and did a lot of smaller events to get a little variety in their life. Perhaps that can be apreventivee to burnout.

I am looking forward to Cedar Creek as the event to drag me out of this pit of depression. Perhaps getting outside again with you, my friends, will shake the funk off of me. Perhaps the smell of black powder and the thrill of the mid battle nap will inspire me once again. If not, it is a long time until next season.

Check back this week. I will be posting info on Cedar Creek.

2006-06-25T08:59:00.000-04:00

Another Manassas Update

I know that everyone has been patiently watching their mailbox for the coveted Manassas registration medallion and associated paperwork....well mine arrived Saturday!

I would imagine that since my last name starts with a "Z" that everyone else would have received theirs by now so check your mail.

2006-05-09T23:53:00.000-04:00

1st Manassas Update

A planning meeting was held on Saturday May 6 and attended by Lt. Col's Tony Zusman & K.C. Meadows, representing the Corps.

The first half of the meeting covered the schedule for the weekend and various other administrative matters. The second half of the meeting was a walk through of the battlefield and camps.

News of importance....

As you all, hopefully, know, the event will be held at the Cedar Creek Battlefield site in Middletown, VA.

We will be camped this time in what is usually the Federal camps. The Federals will camp on the site we occupied at the 140th Cedar Creek event.

The camp site for the infantry will be at the farthest point of the property down the hill from the Chevron station on Rt. 11. We will be about halfway down the fence line.

Artillery will be camped on top of the hill behind the Chevron station.

Cavalry will camp along the treeline at the bottom of the field.

Artillery and Infantry please note....we will be camped in open field so please plan accordingly. The field looked a lot better than the past Manassas field and no poison ivy or oak was observed. Believe me it is already up in that part of Virginia as a bumper crop has already appeared in my flower beds.

Longstreet's Corps infantry will be portraying Colonel Nathan George "Shanks" Evans Brigade. This will include Wheat's Tigers commanded by our own Chaplain Buddy Wheat, who will once again portray his ancestor Chatham Roberdeau Wheat.

For those who pre-registered, we were told that our registration packages with event medallions will be mailed out by the end of May.

Additional information on the event can be found at the event web site.

2006-05-05T22:27:00.000-04:00

Remember back in the good old days….

When the month of May was the busiest reenactment month of the year? What has happened!

Used to be we had an event every weekend in May and usually one the last week of April and first week of June to boot.

Now we have conserved time and space, given respect to the family and opted to have all May events on the same weekend. Sure makes planning for those “ONLY ONE EVENT A MONTH” units a lot easier.

This year we zero in on the weekend of May 19 through the 21. the granddaddy of all events, New Market, wishing not to piss off Mom no doubt, opted to move it’s event off that date a few years back. It had only been on that date for more than 40 years and it still confuses people who traditionally think of it that weekend. Heck if Mom really loved her kids she would come to the event with them.

For years events jockeyed around the Mother’s Day/New Market Weekend. Meadow Farm moved several times from the beginning of the month to the end and finally settled for a day in June. That event not only changed months but changed sites too.

New Market, as mentioned, is the granddaddy of all eastern reenactments. The reenactment began, I believe, the year after the actual battle was fought and has been fought, all but one year, on the actual site at the VMI owned park. A consistant tourist draw, this event is well supported by the Corps' Valley units.

A favorite for the Tidewater units, and a few others, is the Ft. Pocahontas event held at Sherwood Forest plantation. This event has pulled good attendance for years and offers a good fight, meal and entertainment. The opportunity to fight a historical battle against the ever gallant USCT (a most worthy opponent) is a definite plus.

Sorry to say the same weekend an up and coming event in West Virginia is held at Lewisburg. The event, sponsored by the 5th Virginia Infantry, Co. G, offers plenty of activities for both military and civilian. The street battles are said to be some of the best fighting of the year. Face it, other than Fredericksburg we do not often get a chance to fight through a town.

Not to be left out, in North Carolina, Alexander’s Battalion Field Hospital is involved with a commemoration encampment at Trinity College highlighting Gen. Hardee’s encampment there after the Battle of Bentonville.

My word! What a weekend. Add to this the local observations by each unit on Memorial Day and you can still make a month of it. What more could you ask for, time at home to mow the grass and you still get to shoot Yankees at least once.

2006-04-10T23:19:00.000-04:00

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WEB SITE????

Don't worry my friends we are just suffering through some administrative changes at the web site.

Basically what has happened are two things, first I did not get the domain name renewed in time. We were debating between a one year renewal or a three year renewal, good news is we opted for three years, the bad news was I forgot to send Art the invoice to be paid.

Second, our most gracious web host, Mike Tripp (5th VA), has changed over to a server that he has complete control over. That is good for us as we should have less technical difficulties and it keeps the admin part under the control of one of our members.

Over the past few months since the Corps meeting I have been composing new content. I anticipate that we will be up and running with updated materials by this weekend.

So, please be patient a little longer and we will be up and running again.

2006-03-16T23:41:00.000-05:00

IT'S MADNESS BABY!!!

March Madness officially descended upon us this week, that goes not only for basketball but also for reenacting. We start the year with our first sizeable event of the year at Endview.

I recently asked seasoned Sportscaster Dick Vitale his views on the upcoming reenactment season and how reenacting could be better than college basketball. Whattaya say Dicky V?

"It's all blues and grays BABY! 1861 all over again with the Confederacy showing up as the new Diaper Dandy on the block. Freshman floor generals like Lee, Jackson and Johnston will round out my All Avis team.

On the defense in blue I see the All Potential Team as Mc Dowell, Burnsides and Mc Clellan. Watch Mc Clellan to be my All-mystique player. It's gonna be Doughnut Offense for the boys in Blue I am afraid and it could be Dipsy Doo Dunk A Roo on Washington City.

Bringing a W isn't going to be easy for either of these teams. Both sides will be Drillin' Reggies when they need Pete Roses. They will need to bear down and dish the rock to the Isolation Man to get the big W for the fans at home."

Vitale may not translate well at your next living history but his enthusiasm for the young Confederacy is to be commended. If you need the Vitalism's translated go to http://espn.go.com/dickvitale/vspeak/index.html

Remember that we often use our hobby to "escape" the hustle and flow of our daily lives and the world around us. Just take these thoughts with you this weekend as you head to Endview...while there was a North Carolina in 1861, there was no Duke.

2006-02-20T22:06:00.000-05:00

Random Notes

Prayers needed

Many of you know Buddy Bare of the 8th Virginia Ifantry, Co. I&F. Buddy has long been a fixture in Longstreet's corps being on of the long standing members of one of the Corps' charter units.

I have been told by Captain Barry Woods that Buddy has taken ill with heart troubles and is currently in the hospital. Things have been touch and go but I am happy to report that recent days have seen him take a good turn and doctors are positive.

Please keep Buddy in your thoughts and prayers in the coming week.

***************************
2006 Infantry Guide Coming Soon

I had the privlidge of previewing the new Infantry Guide being compiled by Col. Grosson. I must say it is quite a nice compilation of information and will be of great service to the officers and troops.

I will not let the surprises out but watch you e-mail for this volumn.

***************************

The Excitement never ends at Casa de Zusman. As a review, you all know I recently decided I was not given enough agony in my life so I bought an old house in the Shenandoah Valley. The recent hike in LP gas has me keeping the thermostat at an unreasonale 52 degrees or so. I just look at it as training for the March Endview event. You will recognize me there, I will be the guy running around in shorts complaining that 60 degrees is too hot.

I left the house to fend for itself last weekend and came home to my latest home project. Apparently the house felt it needed a waterfall rnning from the kitchen to the basement...yes friends, a frozen pipe broke under the sink. Thankfully it seemed to have just broken before I arrived and clean up was minimal and there was only a small puddle starting in the basement.

A quick fix the next day replacing about a foot of pipe and I was on my way. Thank God I paid attention in home improvement class (lol).

Needless to say, lesson learned, I know keep the thermostat at 55 degrees.

Unitl next time...adios.

2006-02-13T23:19:00.000-05:00

Listen up Gentlemen, this is important!

I am going to let you in on the three most important days on the reenacting calendar, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and your wedding anniversary. Face it, you forget one of these and your days out in the field with your pards will be limited.

Now as you all know, Tony loves the ladies and Lord knows the ladies love him, so I speak to you from experience.

By the time you read this you are on zero hour for Valentine's Day. I was at Wal-Mart today and the isle with the Valentines stuff was a mix of the left over lame stuff and a lot of trampled items. Buy your wife or girlfriend some of the left over lingerie the day before VD and we won't see you in the field before Gettysburg.

The guy in the line ahead of me had a bag of a dozen apples. He explained they were red and kinda heart shaped and his wife would give him points for originality. His originality will come in handy as he tries to figure out how to sleep comfortably on the couch next week.

Now don't give up hope. You still have time. The guy in line was half right. When you wait too long you have to use originality, but be a little smarter. Take a cruise on the web and look for some historic yet romantic items. You will be a hero and maybe learn something on the way.

Try a Victorian Love Poem or perhaps try your hand at something constructive by copying a Victorian Valentine.

The Corps' resident Cupid, Stinky, would likely recommend you get your buns in the kitchen and create a romantic period style dinner. While it is ok to borrow the candles from your kit, we would, however, suggest you not make anything using the year old piece of hard tack or the salt pork in the bottom of your haversack.

Now if there are some ladies reading this, please note the above does not work on men. While the path to a man's heart is through the stomach, the usual "romantic" gifts do not usually work on the average clueless guy.

One suggestion I can give the ladies comes from a lady friend I knew some years back. She took the occasion of Valentines Day as a good time to buy a new corset for reenactments. She had spent $100 on the custom made corset and charged it to boot, something her husband did not approve of wholeheartedly. However, after modeling her new purchase on Valentine's Day she was free and clear. Ahhh, the versatility of the gift that keeps on giving.

So where will you be when the spring campaigns begin? Will you be on the field with your pards or at home paying penance for not heeding my warning.

2006-02-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to the Confederacy....The official kick off of the 145th Anniversary Events!

145 years ago today the Confederacy officially set up for business in Montgomery, Alabama. The provisional government appointed Jefferson Davis as President and he took office on February 18.

I give a tip of the hat to those folks today, without them I would have had to take up golf or woodworking as my full time hobby. Face it, there is not as much politics in golf
and woodworking, though I could easily have spent as much money on each as I have in reenacting. I have never heard of a woodworker making charges against another and demanding he be hung. Yes, I have heard that in reenacting.

So thank you gentlemen for your forethought and giving us this obsession we follow year after year.

2006-01-31T20:28:00.000-05:00

I know everyone out there is hanging on, waiting to find out what the big news from the Corps meeting was for this year.

Other than moving to Fredericksburg there was not any real earth shattering decisions made at this years meeting. We voted in one new unit to full membership and accepted two new units for probationary membership.

We voted the following events as Corps Events
Gaines Mill
1st Manassas
Camp of Instruction (September 9-10th)
Cedar Creek

We voted the following as Corps Sanctioned Events
Big Bethel
Gettysburg

We found out that the "boys" still get a little testy when
the ladies get up and speak.

I guess, as the Godfather of Soul once said, "this is a man's world"

I can vouch for the fact that several of the ladies present were the voting representatives for their unit and this is something we cannot control. The Corps does not involve itself in how its member units operate and they can send any member as a representative to the meetings.

Watch the Blog this week and we continue to update the meeting as I wade through the pages of minutes from the meeting.

2006-01-31T00:07:00.000-05:00

I return!

Yes it has been almost a month since the Adjutant has blogged you. I have been busy with plans for the Corps meeting and working a part time job that is taking up wayyyy too much of my time.

I will be posting for the next several days giving you particulars from the Corps meeting. I want to thank all my loyal fans out there who told me how much they enjoyed the blog. For those who complained about my telling of my vacation...get a sense of humor, the Corps does not operate as a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year program. We occasionally take time to live our lives.

Keep an eye out for the updates this week.

YOS

Tony

2005-12-31T23:22:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all!

Hope this writing finds you all well and looking forward to a prosperous New Year.

Looking forward to the next few weeks, it is hard to believe that the Corps Meeting is almost upon us. We are starting to get some events coming in and a few folks have suggested business. I should have another update giving agenda business after next weekend.

PLEASE, if you have something you would like to have discussed at the Corps Meeting, drop me a note at Tzusman@aol.com in the next week. My reason is we usually have a meeting a few weeks before the Corps meeting where General Maupin, Col. Miller. Lt. Col. Meadows and myself discuss the items being presented. It helps to have an idea of what's up by then.

The 2006 Calendar of proposed events is up on the Corps Website. Check the Corps Meeting link. The big event will be 1st Manassas but a lot of our annual events are also following suit with 1861 events. The popular event at Endview Plantation in Newport News will be Big Bethel.

On one note, we have not received very many nominations for Soldier of the Year. I hate to think you do not feel any of your fellow members in your unit are worthy of this honor. Is it possible we have no enlisted men out there that have gone that extra mile for the cause?

In closing I wish you all a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you all on the field in 2006.

2005-12-16T16:22:00.000-05:00

Corps Meeting Update!!!

The moved is finally over, and now it is time for me to unpack! God help me!

A new update for the Corps meeting has been posted and can be accessed from the Corps Web Page. Look in he left hand column for the Corps Meeting link.

The update gives us out first look at he 2006 calendar. If you have an event you would like added please drop me a note at Tzusman@aol.com. Our next update will include agenda business and your items can also be forwarded to my address.

A word of caution. If I do not respond to you quickly in the next week it is because I am learning a new internet access method. I also have to find a desk to sit my computer. I hope to be back in the swing of things by the end of next week.

2005-12-09T00:59:00.000-05:00

The world has stood still

Or at least that is how it has seemed for me the past week or so.

Moving has got to be somewhere in the top ten of worst things to go through. Everything of mine is lost! I cannot find a thing, even the things I tried to keep track of. Thank God I got the meeting invites out before all this.

We are starting to get a few prospects for new units joining the Corps. I recently received a letter of intent from the 63rd Tennessee and the 6th NCST.

The event calendar is coming together and I hope to have something posted on the web site next week. By that point I should have found most of my stuff.

2005-12-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

News from the staff for December 1

Corps Meeting!

The invitations to the Corps meeting have been mailed this week!

The date has been set as January 28, 2006 in Fredericksburg. Complete info is in the materials sent.

Yes, it is ironic that the meeting was moved to a place 5 minutes from where I used to live. Now I have a 90 minute drive there. Thanks Jim!

We should have the web site up for the meeting in the next week. Check there for updates.

Calendar of events

Your events are needed for the 2006 Calendar. I have already researched the obvious events, 1st Manassas, Cedar Creek, Endview, etc. So anything else you have please send on.

Don't be afraid to submit your regional events. It may help some of the other units close by plan their calendars.

Moving Day!

It is almost here, the big day I move to the Valley. The new HQ address for the Corps will now be:

Lt. Col. Tony Zusman
239 N. Church Street
Woodstock, VA 22664
(540) 459-1855

House warming (no pun intended) gifts are certainly welcome and a Lowe's gift card works best as I have a lot of work to do. ; )

2005-11-23T00:17:00.000-05:00

Ahhh the week that was. Here are some bits of Corps News to keep you fed over Thanksgiving...
adjutant HQ on the move

The Adjutant is moving his headquarters from the Fredericksburg front to the relative safety of the Shenandoah Valley.

As of December 3 the new address for Lt. Col. Zusman will be Woodstock, VA. Remember that day last week when it went from 70 degrees to suddenly about 40 degrees with a strong wind? Well that was about the precise moment I signed on a Victorian house in need of quite a bit of repair.

The house is located in Downtown Woodstock and was built in 1896. It should keep me busy the next few years with lots of little (and big) repairs.

Blog Site moving also

Last week I received notice that the host for the Adjutant's Blog was going out of the Blog business and our account would be terminated on December 1. They also told me that I could move to a site they had partnered with for a cost of $8.95 a month. I love you guys but I got a house to renovate (See story above).

If you are reading this you are on the new site. The link on the Corps site will be moved also. I think you will see this is a much more attractive site.

I have transferred the old articles so you can still catch up or review. Sorry but I could not transfer the comments.

Speaking of comments PLEASE NOTE...this forum is interactive and you can leave your two cents worth to my missives.

Tell your friends we have moved.

1st Manassas

I received my registration info for 1st Manassas today. Keep a look in your mailbox or go to the Cedar Creek web site: http://www.cedarcreekbattlefield.org/1stManReg.pdf

2006 Events

We are in the process of putting together the 2006 calendar. If you have an event you would like the Corps to consider, or would just like to tell us about a cool event, send the info to me at Tzusman@aol.com

2005-11-08T01:46:00.000-05:00

Hollywood Cemetery

A tip of the kepi to Steve Haden of the 12th VA for this heads up.

Steve tell us that the big Richmond Marathon is scheduled for the same weekend as the monument dedication at Hollywood. By all means PLEASE still plan on attending, your help is needed in dedicating the 80+ grave markers.

Steve suggests you plan to come down a little earlier than the 11:00 staging hour. Try coming at 9:00 and pack a lunch and enjoy the beauty of Hollywood. Hollywood was set up to give visitors the beauty of a park while visiting the dearly departed. A little preview of heaven perhaps?

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday. We don't spout political views in the Corps or suggest who is better than someone else. Simply vote, if for no other reason than there are a lot of men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq who are fighting to keep our freedom alive.

2005-11-06T02:40:00.000-05:00

Gas pains...continued

Well I certainly lit the hornets nest ablaze with our survey on gas prices and reenacting.

Already we have 20 responses but I had to go back and add an additional question asking which branch you were in. Good responses though and I am interested in the one comment that summed up that high gas prices will do away with the less authentic reenactors who haul too much gear.

To add your two cents worth on the survey go to www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=585681472020

Remember you can leave your comments here by clicking the link below.

2005-11-04T02:53:00.000-05:00

Suffering Gas Pains

We all have been quietly complaining about the high gas prices we have been forced to pay the last several months, but have you thought ahead of how it might effect Civil War reenacting?

I received several notes in the past month complaining about the low attendance at the Camp of Instruction this year. What I didn't tell folks were the number of calls and notes I had from Corps members who said they would not be attending because of the cost of gasoline. Quite simply, we had to offer a big enough draw to get them to buy a tank of gas to attend.

Now, I fully understand their choice. I was told by several folks when weighing the decision between COI and Cedar Creek, all were opting to go to Cedar Creek. A lot of us drive good ol' gas guzzling trucks and SUV's to haul all that gear. Add in a horse trailer or artillery piece behind it and you are really burning some fossil fuel.When you are suddenly looking at a couple hundred bucks just in gas it starts to cut into the beer and beef jerky budget.

These "good 'ol boys" might have to bring the Toyota next time.

I won't get on my soapbox and complain that gas prices should be .99 a gallon. I won't even gripe about the outrageous profits the oil companies made last quarter. What I will do is give you a chance to speak you mind. We have set up a survey at
www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=585681472020
about gas and the future of reenacting. Drop by and tell us what you think.

In case you did not know, you can leave your opinion to my blogs. If you would like to leave your two cents worth on my blogs please feel free to do so.

2005-10-27T14:34:00.000-04:00

Catching up on news and events

Look guys! Real news about the Corps!

Thought I would start the return of the blog with some news and updates.

1. Katrina historic site donations:

We are happy to report that the fund raiser to help with clean up of historic sites and preservation of damaged artifacts left in the wake of hurricane Katrina has netted over $800. We are thankful to the 44th Virginia Infantry for a $400 donation and the Confederate Heritage Brigade for a $100 donation.

2. Hollywood Cemetery grave marker dedications

Several Corps members have been working on a project to provide markers for soldiers buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

On Saturday November 12 a dedication ceremony will be held to set 70 new headstones for these gallant men. These graves have not been marked since the war and their original markers have long since weathered away.

All Corps units and members are invited to participate in an honor guard for the ceremony The program starts at 12:00 but you need to be on site by 11:00am.

For more information please go to: http://www.southernsoldiers.com/ or contact Jim Phelps at wyte-hawk@worldnet.att.net

3. Christmas at Endview

You may want to pay special attention to this years Christmas in the Field event at Endview Plantation in Newport News on December 9-11. We have been told that the developers have won and this will be your last opportunity to spend a winter encamped here. The spring event will officially be our last event there as plans call for the Confederate camp area to be developed.

If you would like more information and registration forms please go to Endview Plantation

2005-10-23T02:14:00.000-04:00

Back to the grind

My apologies in not updating in awhile but, alas, life had gotten in the way for awhile.

You may not believe this but sometimes my real life gets in the way of reenacting. My job is one that gives me the luxury of setting my own schedule and having free time but the months of August through October are where I have to really make an attempt to make a living so I will have money the rest of the year. This is why Tony looks rich at the beginning of the season and the Dr. Tony's products come out more an more at the middle of the season.

I do work! A custom desk unit I designed

Along with work I have also been trying to buy a house. Anyone who has been through this knows the headaches that involves. If I have been a little "distracted" in the past month you can pretty much tie it to that.

In the last month units have had a lot of local events to attend and we made it to Cedar Creek. I think it was nicer having the "smaller" Cedar Creek. the battles looked a lot better and you could actually make it to the sutlers and your car without having to pack a lunch.

Keep a look out this week for updates. I promise I will have news as the week goes on.

2005-09-22T13:16:00.000-04:00

COI Review

I believe I have fully recovered from the Camp of Destruction...oops I mean Instruction. This week will be spent reviewing what you missed at the COI.

We had a good turnout of a little over a hundred participants. For the first time this included the Cavalry command. Another first was our camping in Camp Hillsman, our hand picked home for future events on the site.

The event ushered in the first Ladies Seminar, giving the ladies a chance to expand their camp impressions. About a dozen ladies attended and enjoyed a lecture by Belinda Womack, a noted speaker on the time period and civilian impressions.

Since most of the members present this year were infantry the schedule of events centered around drill, field impressions, staff duties and logistics during the war.

The evenings are often legendary at the COI and this year was no different. The 5th Virginia opened "The Stinky Pickle" pub outside camp with the enticement of beer all night in your tin cup for $10. Part of the proceeds are to go to the Corps Treasury.

Strange happenings at the Stinky Pickle

After a later wake up call on Sunday the day began with parade and a little drill. Afterwards we held the ever popular Longstreet Olympics with the load and fire competition for the men and a frying pan toss for the ladies. After that we broke into the famous Officers vs. Enlisted tactical. Word was the third element had to be dealt with as the Cav and the Sgt. Major played high power bushwhackers with their fancy repeating rifles.

2005-09-09T04:59:00.000-04:00

More updates for the troops

Camp of Instruction

I received the registrations from Art today and currently our numbers are 112 Military and 23 Civilians. I have had quite a few e-mails in the past two weeks from folks who were coming and paying the walk on fee.

You are still welcome to come to the COI and I encourage all to do so. Walk on fee is $8.00, please pay the Adjutant at the site when you come in.

For the ladies I would greatly appreciate all women who plan to walk on to drop me a note. We are making up quite a bit of printed materials for the lecture and don't want to be caught short. Please e-mail Tzusman@aol.com to reserve your spot.

**********

Relief Efforts for Historic Sites on the Gulf Coast

I have received early reports of an effort that is being headed by the Museum of the Confederacy to help collect donations for the museums hit hard by hurricane Katrina.

Corps members Charlie Knight and Johnny Glazebrook (both of the 44th VA) are looking into the possibility of gathering donations for this effort. We will pass the hat at the COI and Cedar Creek.

Mixed reports are coming in from Jefferson Davis' home and we have heard that the D-Day Museum in New Orleans physically came out OK but the collection was extensively looted.

**********

Other Fund Raisers currently going on.

The 47th Virginia is coming close to its goal of raising funds for the preservation of an original 47th VA flag. Folks who donate at least $35.00 will also receive a one year membership to the museum of the Confederacy. For more information please contact Bill Russell at jillinva@aol.com.

Tony Zusman is working to raise funds for a grand ball to be held in Richmond in September of 2006. Raffle prize is a new 3-Band Enfield Rifle. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00

Pie Palooza II has been scheduled for Saturday at Cedar Creek. Info will be available at the COI. This auction was very popular last year and raised about $500 for the 6th VA Infantry's special projects fund and the Corps Scholarship Fund. See Phil Gomez for more info.

2005-09-03T00:12:00.000-04:00

This and that

Tonight we take care of some bits and pieces of business

Cedar Creek registration

I noticed that my "speed registration" package arrived yesterday from Cedar Creek. Keep you eyes on the mail if you registered early.

Beauvoir:

We had very good news in the wake of all the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. It appears the Beauvoir is OK. The director of the site was able to survey the scene yesterday and found the house intact more or less, damaged but intact. The collections had been moved to the attic and appear to be safe. They believe they will be able to rebuild.

It does make me think though about the CS museum in New Orleans along with the new D-Day museum. I am sure a lot of history has been washed out in the floods.

Camp O' Destruction

Oops, I mean camp of Instruction. It is not that far off! If you didn't get your registration in on time you can still come out and pay the walk on fee.

Exciting News!

I saved a bunch of money on gasoline today! Yep while most gas stations were selling gas at $3.00 +, I found gas for $2.87 at Costco. Now, I never in my life thought I would get excited about gas over $2.00 a gallon and be glad to get it. I will write more on this later as I contemplate what gas prices and availability will do to our hobby.

Happy Labor Day!

2005-09-01T02:11:00.000-04:00

Reports from the Deep South

I have been checking around with our deep South membership and have some good news.

Billy Mc Cormack of the 48th Alabama says the brunt of the storm missed them for the most part. Mostly winds of 35 mph with a few big gusts.

It is the odd nature of these storms. The 48th is in middle eastern Alabama and the storm blew through pretty easy. Meanwhile, a few miles east on I-20, the storm wreaked havoc on the Atlanta area. We heard several reports of tornadoes in Alpharetta, GA, home of the 8th VA's Barry Woods. Barry reported in that he was ok as he was refugeeing in Maryland by pure chance.

It looks like we are going to lose a lot of history there. Already reports are coming in about Jefferson Davis' last home, Beauvoir, has been completely destroyed. Many of you probably saw the pictures of the Casino barge that crushed a Holiday Inn hotel, well it turns out that was right in the same area as Beauvoir.

Keep your thoughts and prayers with those who are enduring so much at this time.

2005-08-31T02:06:00.000-04:00

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!

2005-08-30T01:32:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-27T12:12:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-23T02:31:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-22T02:51:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-12T04:30:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-11T15:25:00.000-04:00

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.

2005-08-08T02:05:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-08T01:23:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-05T01:38:00.000-04:00

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

2005-08-02T05:35:00.000-04:00

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