Sorry for not posting earlier, folks. First I came back in late after the Barn Dance, and then the internet was not working. So I hit the sack as I was tired anyway.
So, yesterday morning I went to Oaklawn Cemetery to attend the memorial service they hold each year to remember the brave men that fought. We got hold up a bit because it started to rain just when we were about to get started.
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We had a great speech, then the ladies laid a wreath and another young lady played taps.
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I somehow got roped in towards the end when everyone in regalia had to step forward for thanks for organizing.
General Grant had something to do with that for
@LTG USG was there too for the memorial service.
And yes, you read that right, everyone in regalia - for I decided to go reenactor for Olustee. Surprise!
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After the memorial service, I headed out to the battlefield park. I took a leisure stroll around, walked the battlefield and checked out the museum and monument. In the morning it drizzled from time to time, but no heavy rains. Sometime in the afternoon, the sun eventually came out.
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When I walked the battlefield, despite the masses of kids with teachers and/or parents, I was alone out there by myself - and had total silence. At some point, in the distant camp, someone started playing the flute, songs like Battle Cry of Freedom and Dixie. The music drifting over through the wood at that distance was both eerie and wonderful at the same time. If you didn't know there was a reenactment going on, one might have believed to hear the sounds of the past. It was a special moment for me out there.
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Back near the museum and monument, I had a chat with a Union artillerist about the cannon they used for the artillery demo earlier. It's an original cannon cast in 1863, a 3" ordnance rifle if I remember correctly.
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Since
@captaindrew was still a bit away, I signed myself up for a period photograph. When better when in outfit? And yes, I really needed that scarf for warmth. It was cold almost all day, especially after the warm and sunny days I had this last week.
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After circling the Confederate camp twice I eventually ran across
@captaindrew and spent some time with his company until it got dark. Being out there in camp at night, around a fire and almost no other light, was the first time I experienced that. It was great and I had really good company with
@captaindrew 's crowd. Right around dinner
@Equestriangirl93 came in. We were too late for the artillery night fire but
@Equestriangirl93 and I attended the barn dance. I had a Union gentleman who danced with me whenever I didn't need to take a breather.
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While dancing, I warmed up nicely, but when he walked me back to the car, I got chilly - despite the scarf. I'm glad it's going to be warmer today!