- Joined
- Apr 8, 2018
- Location
- Coffeeville, TX
This past weekend, Jefferson, TX had their Pilgrimage Weekend. A long established event in the historic town, complete with house tours of all the old Antebellum and Reconstruction era homes, and a reenactment of a fictional battle. Typically imagined as a possible conclusion of the Red River Campaign of 1864 had Banks took Shreveport a ways down the road. Never any mention of the Army of the Frontier and Camden Expedition.
I only live a couple dozen miles away so, for me, it's an event I usually don't miss. Even when life keeps me away from the hobby all season. Plus, this year my old buddy Tom wanted to meet and talk with a sutler who casts buckles. I shall leave it to the imagination of those here who know him what he's up too.
I hadn't planned on a thread on it, but sad news on a couple vendors in the hobby persuaded me otherwise. I gotta admit it, it was hands down the best one I've seen in years at Jefferson. With many fresh fish to the hobby! The past few years I'd say it's declined some, indeed the hobby in general out here, but I encountered many eager young new faces much to my surprise.
One outfit I fell in for the "town battle" as it's called, was full of them! I went Federal Infantry during the Federal Army march into town and declares martial law. Before the Confederates rush in to the rescue. Always when a Southern spy is executed.
(I got to brag, I've put on a couple pounds I'm working on fixing, and have reached the age of 36, and I out ran and outmarched them youngins in their late teens early 20's and in peak physical shape! Though I've been paying for it since.
)During the field fight I fell in with the artillery as a close friend asked for my assistance as they were short of folks. The infantry outpacing other branches in recruitment. Again much to my surprise. First time I've done artillery in maybe 18 years I think, I ended up being the gunner and corporal all in one. With a couple inexperienced fresh fish for a crew alongside the gun's very kind owner. Had a ton of fun, and for the first time in years was able to get pics of a battle.
Great time and very uplifting in hopes for the hobby. Even if it never happened historically, and I ran an iron small bore mountain howitzer.
(They were not a thing historically…)
Didn't get to camp, had to run back and forth to the house so as to bring a pretty young lady with me, who got front row seats on Sunday and who never saw an event. I shall smile at one humorous incident for years to come.
She still tells me I don't need a cannon…
Another note, Saturday had to be the only time in over 20 years of reenacting I can recall a dead run infantry charge out of woods through the guns to the enemy. Pretty neat actually, and sad I missed it. (The ONE time I do something besides infantry!)
And the acoustics of the battle on Saturday! The geography and trees, actually fooled me for a second into thinking there was fire behind our artillery line! Took my attention off the battle to our front before a somber realization of battles in the war, and thoughts of how such things effected historical battles.
Great time, encourage others back east to come out.
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