Surrendering At Mobile AL

texascavcadet · #1 10-30-2005, 12:16 AM

If anyone here has been to the reenactment of mobile bay the rebs have to surrender their weapons if u dont die trust me u want to die

regards
garrett estey
11th texas cav

unionblue · #2 10-30-2005, 03:01 AM

texascavcadet,

You might be missing a real emotional learning experience, if you do not permit yourself to actually surrender your weapon in this reenactment.

At the Guyandotte, WV, reenactment, my Union unit reenacted the loss of our Regimental colors to attacking Confederate forces. I was the color guard holding those colors and had agreed with the Confederate unit before hand to lose our standard to them before the 'fight.'

Everyone in our unit thought it would be a good learning experience for us to show that losing one's colors was a big deal during the Civil War and we really thought that would be the extent of our emotional involvement in the recreation of this type of event. Were we ever wrong!

The day came, the fight took place, and there I was, 'wounded' and holding my unit flag as a cease fire was called by the Confederate commander. He crossed the space between our two units, saluted me with his sword, and said, "Sir, I will have your colors."

I was swept with emotion as I hung my head and allowed him to take the 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regimental flag from my hands. My eyes teared, my throat became tight and the anger and humiliation that swept over me were as real as any other feelings I have ever had in my life. And to see that Confederate officer raise 'my' flag in triumph and to hear his troops cheer over their capture of it, tore at my soul.

I felt because our reenacting unit had the courage to recreate an actual event of the war, I had briefly experienced some of the emotions of the men from that actual time.

And it was worth it.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

larry_cockerham · #3 10-30-2005, 10:04 AM

Somewhere behind your blue uniform beats the heart of a sensitive and caring man.

rbenne · #4 10-30-2005, 01:12 PM

UnionBlue

It's moments like that which make the hobby...

Capt Coxetter · #5 03-21-2006, 09:02 PM

When and where exactly is this reenactment held, Garrett?

Capt. Coxetter

Rad2duhbone53 · #6 07-03-2006, 01:04 PM

Has anyone seen Civil War Journal's "Banners of Glory"? Looking at the experiences the soldiers had with their regimental flags is enough to tear your heart out. My eyes were red for hours after that.