Raymond, Ms Reenactment

[alan polk]

Just wondering if anyone here will be attending the reenactment. I don't reenact but live here in Raymond. Back in 1999 we had a big one. People here are wondering whether it will be as big. I keep getting calls from people all over central MS asking me if this will be the "big" one. I think it is in late October. People in this area are getting a bit excited. I hope it will be the "big" one, and hope the weather will be good.

 

[Karen Lips]

Just wondering if anyone here will be attending the reenactment. I don't reenact but live here in Raymond. Back in 1999 we had a big one. People here are wondering whether it will be as big. I keep getting calls from people all over central MS asking me if this will be the "big" one. I think it is in late October. People in this area are getting a bit excited. I hope it will be the "big" one, and hope the weather will be good.

I like would to come, but I do not know if I will get to or not.

 

[unionblue]

alan,

I attended the very first Raymond Civil War reenactment and it was OUTSTANDING!

We got to march on the back dirt roads, fight through the woods, and march through downtown Raymond (I was portraying a Yankee with Grant's army). The citizens of Raymond were so warm and friendly, cheering us and giving us TONS of home made fried chicken, cookies, pies, cold drinks, etc. I had nothing but the best time and would tell anyone that is thinking about going to GO!

It WILL be worth their while.

Sincerely,
Unionblue
PS Hope it is the biggest Raymond will ever have.

 

[volker]

I am looking forward for this one,its been a long time since Iv been back to my home state.
I will be brining a squad of 4th Texans from northern IL.
You can get a good idea of partisipants from the registration list on the event website.
http://friendsofraymond.org/reenactment.htm
Volker

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

Signed up for it, but most likely can not make it. Wanted to, but it is what it is......

Shawn

 

[Tin cup]

I HOPE it's a different reenactment than the one I attended in 2001!
That one was disaster for the reenactor. I went, hearing all the good things that happened in 1999, but not to be in 01!
I hope everyone has a good time.

Kevin Dally

 

[alan polk]

alan,

I attended the very first Raymond Civil War reenactment and it was OUTSTANDING!

We got to march on the back dirt roads, fight through the woods, and march through downtown Raymond (I was portraying a Yankee with Grant's army). The citizens of Raymond were so warm and friendly, cheering us and giving us TONS of home made fried chicken, cookies, pies, cold drinks, etc. I had nothing but the best time and would tell anyone that is thinking about going to GO!

It WILL be worth their while.

Sincerely,
Unionblue
PS Hope it is the biggest Raymond will ever have.

Unionblue,

The reenactment you described was from the 1999 event. I take it you won't be there this year. I hate that!

Funny story: Since I live in town, a bunch a Yankee reenactors showed up at my house one night. My friends and I were having a get-together, cooking ribs, etc., and partaking in beverages. We invited them up and all had a great time. I think they were from Illinois. Anyway, they begged us to "Boo" them when they marched through town the next day. They said they wanted to go through the "full" experience. So we all told them we would.

Of course, we were not going to "Boo" all the Yanks, just their regiment. Us spectators (my friends from the party) set up at a prearranged location. Among the spectators, though, was my great-grandmother, whom we set up in her wheelchair. She was not aware that we had a prearrangment with this Yankee unit to "Boo" them. Well, we did "Boo" that regiment, and you could see smiles on their (reenactors')faces. It made them feel as if they were really taking a Rebel town.

But Lord have mercy! My great-grandmother (rest her soul) admonished us up-and-down. She was so angry with us. This is what she told my friends and me when the "Booing" stopped."

"How dare y'all conduct yourselves like that. These Yankees are our guests. Now, it is understandable that back in 1863 we would have been disrespectful. For, back then, they were horrid people. But I will not sit here and have you disrespect guests in our town."

That's a true story. When I tried to explain the circumstances, I let slip we'd had a "party" the night before and had all this set up with the Yankees. She gave me that look, said "take me home." Being disrespectful AND having a party the night before was enough for her not to talk to me for 6 months. We finally made up, and I agreed with her that that was not excercising proper manners. Anyway, she passed to her reward 4 years ago. God Bless her. However, I hope to have some more Yanks or Rebs over. If any Yanks want to get yelled at by us for the experience, I'm up for it!!!

 

[alan polk]

I am looking forward for this one,its been a long time since Iv been back to my home state.
I will be brining a squad of 4th Texans from northern IL.
You can get a good idea of partisipants from the registration list on the event website.
http://friendsofraymond.org/reenactment.htm
Volker

So glad to know! I don't know if y'all will be representing Yanks or Rebs -- but if Rebs -- I hope y'all will be representing the 7th Texas (the only Texas unit on the field). Nonetheless, I'm glad y'all are coming!!

 

[alan polk]

I HOPE it's a different reenactment than the one I attended in 2001!
That one was disaster for the reenactor. I went, hearing all the good things that happened in 1999, but not to be in 01!
I hope everyone has a good time.

Kevin Dally

Yes, that is my understanding, too. As a spectator, it was not that impressive. But that was years ago, and hopefully this one will rival the 1999 event. Hang tight and see how this one goes. Maybe we'll see you again down the road for another one. I think our little town got overwhelmed with nearly back-to-back national events. Hopefully we learned. I really think we have learned.

 

[unionblue]

Unionblue,

The reenactment you described was from the 1999 event. I take it you won't be there this year. I hate that!

Funny story: Since I live in town, a bunch a Yankee reenactors showed up at my house one night. My friends and I were having a get-together, cooking ribs, etc., and partaking in beverages. We invited them up and all had a great time. I think they were from Illinois. Anyway, they begged us to "Boo" them when they marched through town the next day. They said they wanted to go through the "full" experience. So we all told them we would.

Of course, we were not going to "Boo" all the Yanks, just their regiment. Us spectators (my friends from the party) set up at a prearranged location. Among the spectators, though, was my great-grandmother, whom we set up in her wheelchair. She was not aware that we had a prearrangment with this Yankee unit to "Boo" them. Well, we did "Boo" that regiment, and you could see smiles on their (reenactors')faces. It made them feel as if they were really taking a Rebel town.

But Lord have mercy! My great-grandmother (rest her soul) admonished us up-and-down. She was so angry with us. This is what she told my friends and me when the "Booing" stopped."

"How dare y'all conduct yourselves like that. These Yankees are our guests. Now, it is understandable that back in 1863 we would have been disrespectful. For, back then, they were horrid people. But I will not sit here and have you disrespect guests in our town."

That's a true story. When I tried to explain the circumstances, I let slip we'd had a "party" the night before and had all this set up with the Yankees. She gave me that look, said "take me home." Being disrespectful AND having a party the night before was enough for her not to talk to me for 6 months. We finally made up, and I agreed with her that that was not excercising proper manners. Anyway, she passed to her reward 4 years ago. God Bless her. However, I hope to have some more Yanks or Rebs over. If any Yanks want to get yelled at by us for the experience, I'm up for it!!!

alan polk,

What an absolutely marvelous story about your great-grandmother and her reaction to you and your friends "booing" the yanks!

Yes, I was one of those "yanks" in 1999 that marched through Raymond for that glorious first civil war reenactment and I had the best time of my reenacting career there. Your great-grandmother was typical of the friendly folks there who truely rolled out a red carpt, authentic Southern welcome for their yankee visitors. The kindness we received was like no other I had ever experienced at other reenactments and I do sorely wish I had been able to meet and talk with that grand lady who gave example to that wonderful spirit.

My respects and admiration to you for having such a relation, you were truly blessed.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[alan polk]

alan polk,

What an absolutely marvelous story about your great-grandmother and her reaction to you and your friends "booing" the yanks!

Yes, I was one of those "yanks" in 1999 that marched through Raymond for that glorious first civil war reenactment and I had the best time of my reenacting career there. Your great-grandmother was typical of the friendly folks there who truely rolled out a red carpt, authentic Southern welcome for their yankee visitors. The kindness we received was like no other I had ever experienced at other reenactments and I do sorely wish I had been able to meet and talk with that grand lady who gave example to that wonderful spirit.

My respects and admiration to you for having such a relation, you were truly blessed.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Thanks. My friends were so scared of her. A year or so later, some of the same folks were over and they got word she was coming up to visit. They scattered to the winds. That's how ashamed they felt and reveals how powerful "women -- whether great-grandmothers, g'mothers, or mothers" are down here.

 

[Conor_B]

My sister's house is within a stones through of the battlefield but we will be else were. I hope it is good but i have heard there are not that many federals as there should be.

 

[alan polk]

My sister's house is within a stones through of the battlefield but we will be else were. I hope it is good but i have heard there are not that many federals as there should be.

I hate to hear that about the Federals. So goes the world! I also hate you want make it. Take care!

 

[unionblue]

What with high gas prices and the "graying" of Federal reenactors, this does not surprise me that there won't be that many this time around.

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

Force Ratios. That is all I got to say. and a willingness to galvenize.

 

[Fifer]

I'd would hve liked to go to this event but my work schedule this time of the year makes it impossible. It was hard enough to get to Perryville and that is only two and half hours away. I looked at the registration records and they are going to have a serious problem with a lack of Federal participation.

IMO those chose the wrong year and the wrong time of year. 2013 is the 150th anniversary. If it were to take place in May it would not be hurt by Gettysburg in July. I would have gone to it next Spring, so have a lot of other Yanks.