150th Appomattox After Action Report

[MaryDee]

My eldest son's re-enactment group, the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (part of the "Army of the Ohio"), was invited by the National Park Service to take part in their re-enactment of the Battle of Appomattox Court House and Lee's surrender. Here's his "after action" report:

"Having gallantly blocked the advance of Lee's entire remaining army, and accepted Lee's Surrender 12 times in the last 4 days, the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, has been formally mustered out, and returned home.

"A very muddy time was had by all.

"The Battle of Appomattox was fought on the exact ground as the original, 150 years later, to the day, hour and minute. That was greatly satisfying and moving to the History Junkie in me.

"However, the entire 3 hour battle was supervised by the US Park Service, with 3 baby sitters, on the field, behind each army... and no pistols or sabers, no charges, or even approaching each other within 50 yards was allowed, and taking a hit, as a casualty, was also disallowed...

"So both the Cav Adrenaline Junkie and Realism Junkie in me were both eminently disappointed.

"The red clay mud, however, was entirely period correct and realistic, RE: Burnsides Mud March…"

 

[yankee blue]

I heard they got a inch if rain the first night. We were camped at the long road home event and it was unorganized big time but all in all it was a good event.