Conference smurf::civil_war

128.0. "Fall '94 Camps/Gatherings" by NQOPS::APRIL (Xtra Lame Triple Owner) Mon Aug 29 1994 18:54

	This past weekend, during Wilton's Old Home Days, I visited my first 
	Civil War encampment.  There weren't many units there but it was very 
	interesting nonetheless.  Participants included:

	1st NH Vol. Cavalry (3 mounted men)

	Lafayette Artillery (7 people, 1 Cannon)

	Vermont Light Artillery (4 people, 1 Cannon)
	
	Confederates (3 people)

	Mobile Blacksmith Shop (2 people)

	Sorry I can't be more specific on the Rebel unit but I didn't get to
	sit down and talk to them (They were off by themselves).  The cannons
	were impressive as were the 1st NH VOl. Cavalry outfit.  We visited the
	encampment 3 times. The first time we got there as they were just setting
	up on Sat. AM. The people were very informative and I spent quite a bit
	of time with the Artillery unit from Vermont.  The guy basically built
	his own cannon (3 inch, rifled cannon) !  He was obviously very proud of
	it.  I couldn't stay very long and I understand they had a 'battle' later
	that day. 
	
	I came back in around dusk and we sat around the campfire with the folks
	and then when it got dark they shot off the cannons again.  This time 
	instead of just firing blanks they loaded steel wool into the muzzles.
	Made for an interesting site !  

	We went back on Sunday morning because they told us they'ld have another
	battle at 10:00 AM but I guess the Rebs decided not to cook breakfast 
	and they skeedaddled into town for a meal. So instead the Cavalry did
	a mock battle (one of the guys turned Reb and the two remaining good 
	guys chased him up and down the hill.  Also, the 'Battery' of 2 cannons
	went through their drills and fired 4 rounds each. 

	The guys from the 1st NH Vol. Cavalry had just spent the last week in
	Virginia at a reenactment and were pretty tired.  One of the guys had a
	kid in the hospital with cancer and they had to packup early on Sunday
	to get going.

	I was told there would be a fairly large gathering in Orwell, Vt. on
	Sept.9,10,11.

	Chuck