- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
The semi-annual reenactment at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana in April 1990 was my first event following the previous year's filming and release of the motion picture Glory. For some reason I found myself in charge of the Union infantry at the event, acting as battalion commander of our usual company but for the battle also adding a company of galvanized authentic Confederates plus a color guard of event "regulars" in the form of a half-dozen Union Zouaves. In the photo above taken shortly before the battle, I'm standing in front of my command with my usual outfit on the right of the color party and the galvanized Rebs to the left; our company's First Sergeant Mark Cadigan is at left in the front rank.
Above and below, arms inspection prior to the battle with my friend the late Glen Hargis commanding the company.
Our company's lieutenant for the event was Gary Beetley above, more often seen at events like this as regimental surgeon. Below, another late friend David Dunnett from Fort Worth, Texas who I'd conned on coming along as regimental adjutant, wearing sash and shoulder straps borrowed from me for the occasion.
Such Federal cavalry as there was were also "galvanized" and are seen above in front of the site's reconstructed dogtrot cabin.
Another prominent feature at this event - which was not appreciated by everyone - was the participation as a "soldier" of another friend and member of our organization Iris Welch, aka Private Stumpy. Iris had been pestering us to let her play and so I took the opportunity at this less-than-authentic event to grant her wish, hoping it would satisfy her, at least for a while. Perhaps unfortunately, there were a couple of things that made a Iris a far-less-than-convincing infantryman and drew at least one audible comment from the audience, "I doidn't know there were women soldiers" or something like it. (Remember this was thirty years ago!) I also took the opportunity of recording her participation wearing her husband's uniform and borrowed accouterments and rifle, which she soon tired of lugging, spending most or her time as a spectator.
Above, Gary and David behind the line-of-battle during the artillery duel waiting for the Confederate attack; below, more scenes from behind the Union line.
Below, Gary and a friend of (his whose name I've unfortunately forgotten) join me in the occasion off having our likenesses taken for posterity.
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