Gettysburg 2016: After Action Reports

Bee

Captain
Asst. Regtl. Quartermaster Gettysburg 2017
Joined
Dec 21, 2015
Hopefully this thread will survive to capture some of the comments/reflections for others to enjoy regarding our recent Gettysburg trip.
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One of the things that I miss most from college life was the camaraderie - particularly the brinksmanship regarding who could quote Monty Python movies the most accurately. While I pined for solitude and a place of my own, the "be careful what you wish for" canard comes to bite hard. One cannot make one's self laugh very easily., which is why I actually mark the first laugh of the day in my notes.

I am happy to report that there were too many laughs to register a first on this trip -- probably easier to note when I was silent:smile:

There is nothing more hysterical than hearing a bloke from Oz growling out "the Devil to pay!!!" five times in a row -- each time more growly. @PeterT owned the day when it came to John Buford lines as delivered by Sam Elliot (sort of a caricature of a caricature) *geez: I am laughing right now* He was rehearsing for what was going to be a pilgrimage to the cupola at the end of the trip. It gets even better when you throw in @cash & @War Horse chiming in at different times with their own renditions. The best I could offer is "I am so very tired"....and so the volley goes back and forth until I cannot breathe at times. College revisited. Good days.

Now, very special mention goes to @cash as he can do one of my most favourite monologues from the episode: Chiggy von Richthofen vs Hammerheads -- from a favourite sci fi show: Space: Above and Beyond. Start at minute 8:20. Absolutely priceless. Almost worth the cost of the trip. Almost :smile: Don't worry if you have no idea what I am talking about: no one else in my life does, either.

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September to Remember 2017 - come join us on the new thread
 
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You are right, the camaraderie was priceless. The minute we arrived at O'Rorke's , hungry after a visit at Antietam battlefield, @theoldman approached us and from there on there was always someone calling "Andrea!" - I just loved it.
And what new discoveries we made! Dirty Dan Sickles had good reason to leave his position! And Dick Ewell seems not to have been the indecisive "Pantoffelheld" under "petticoat government" as I have thought!
Too bad I missed the quoting challenge from the movie...
I do recall a very remarkable moment, though, when @W. Richardson said to @cash, offering him a handshake: "you have convinced me, Sir!" I would not have thought to ever hear that!
 
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Everyone one made it back safe? Roll should be taken.
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I arrived back on Wednesday at 11:30 pm. just in time to dive back into work,ughh! It was a pleasure to meet so many of the people from this forum, and we had a wonderful week in Gettysburg, followed by an equally wonderful weekend with all who came.
A few Thank Yous are due:

To @War Horse for organizing every thing so superbly. We had a jam-packed schedule of great tours, exercise!!!:help::sleep:, and comradery. Thanks for all your hard work, Mike, and for bringing along your lovely companion. She was a good sport for putting up with we Civil War Nerds!


To @Eric Wittenberg for his two tours, even though we missed most of the Dirty Dan tour because we got lost. The East Cavalry Field tour was grand, even though we had to see Custer's face on the one monument. :eek: You really brought that battle to life for me! Also for providing me with more reading for long winter nights.
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To @pmuskett for his great tour regarding Barksdale's Brigade, and to @lelliot19 for organizing it. Oh, and for bringing Rocky and Jody, both of whose company we enjoyed.
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To @E-just-E for his amazing tour of Pickett's Charge. It was hot enough with shorts on, so I cannot imagine what those poor soldiers went felt like.:hot:
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To @hoosier for that marvelous presentation about his ancestors experience at Gettysburg. very well done, and I loved the Vermont accent! Wicked good!
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To @rpkennedy for his talk about the first day. Very informative, although the incoming artillery was a bit distracting, especially that last Bee52!:bomb:
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Last, but never least, to @cash for making us take that hill whether it was practicable or not! It was really enlightening, in more ways than one. (I think I sweated off about 5 lbs.)
This is Cash discussing his favourite Senator from Texas, LTW
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[QUOTE="
I do recall a very remarkable moment, though, when W. Richardson said to cash, offering him a handshake: "you have convinced me, Sir!" I would not have thought to ever hear that![/QUOTE]


Andrea,

I am sure that did seem to come out of the blue, but I always try to have an open mind. Cash (Al) gave an outstanding presentation and laid out all the evidence that convinced me that Ewell did what he should have done. I am an old Southerner but not above changing my mind on things. It was a great tour and I can't thank Cash enough................Plus I had to tell him there cause he has me on ignore here......................lol..........................


Proud Rebel.JPG

Respectfully,
William
 
[QUOTE="
I do recall a very remarkable moment, though, when W. Richardson said to cash, offering him a handshake: "you have convinced me, Sir!" I would not have thought to ever hear that!


Andrea,

I am sure that did seem to come out of the blue, but I always try to have an open mind. Cash (Al) gave an outstanding presentation and laid out all the evidence that convinced me that Ewell did what he should have done. I am an old Southerner but not above changing my mind on things. It was a great tour and I can't thank Cash enough................Plus I had to tell him there cause he has me on ignore here......................lol..........................


View attachment 110970
Respectfully,
William[/QUOTE]
Lol, I was there to hear that. The question in my mind is, would Jackson have immediately recognized cemetery hill was heavily occupied and moved on Culps? A great what if that I will not start. Think about it, higher ground commanding the field and pretty much sparsely occupied at the time. I know,I know incoming.
 
[QUOTE="
I do recall a very remarkable moment, though, when W. Richardson said to cash, offering him a handshake: "you have convinced me, Sir!" I would not have thought to ever hear that!

Andrea,

I am sure that did seem to come out of the blue, but I always try to have an open mind. Cash (Al) gave an outstanding presentation and laid out all the evidence that convinced me that Ewell did what he should have done. I am an old Southerner but not above changing my mind on things. It was a great tour and I can't thank Cash enough................Plus I had to tell him there cause he has me on ignore here......................lol..........................


View attachment 110970
Respectfully,
William


Just as one good deed begets another, so does one open & respectful mind lead to another open and respectful mind. :thumbsup:
 
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Last, but never least, to @cash for making us take that hill whether it was practicable or not! It was really enlightening, in more ways than one. (I think I sweated off about 5 lbs.)
This is Cash discussing his favourite Senator from Texas, LTW
View attachment 110942

Well, at least I didn't make you do what I make my students do on the PT field--1-mile run, push-ups, leg raises, and side straddle hops. :smile:
 
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