Prairie Grove is a wonderful event, traditionally held as close to Dec. 7 as possible. As a result, it can also be an extremely cold event. Back in the 80's and 90's, when I reenacted with Holmes Brigade, we often formed the major part of the Union infantry. At my final event there, I served as commander of our company. According to the scenario, we were to attack up the hill driving the Confederates from the yard of the Borden House, then be forced back by a counter attack. As we fell back down the brushy slope, our hand-made silk banner stuck fast in a large thorn bush. My 1st sergeant and I turned back to free it, but the pursuing Johnnie's were on us with blood in their eyes! At the same moment our company turned back to protect the colors, and I have no doubt the flag would have been torn to pieces if calmer heads had not prevailed. It was a standing rule in our reenactments that no colors were ever physically captured. Their officers managed to calm them down and no blood was shed--except by those of us caught in the thorn bush; I still have the scars to prove it.
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