The Commander's Corner

          Fort Anderson  seemed like so long ago as Jim Lankford and I began to prepare for this past weekend’s event at Pamplin Park.    We had some small events at Latta Plantation and in Eastover, but nothing to get the whole section back together.   The weather prognosticators were predicting a perpetual thunderstorm for Petersburg during the whole weekend.    Great, the first event in months and we are going to get rained out and soaked!

            For you folks that were not able to join us at Pamplin Park you missed a good event!    It certainly was what we needed prior to going to Manassas next month.    We only had 14 soldiers which is the minimum number needed to crew 2 guns, but we were able to make it work, even in the heat!

            There were over 1200 spectators that attended the event and the park was pleased with both the attendance and our performance.    They want to grow this event to 1000 soldiers and we  had begun planning for next year before we left on Sunday.    Pamplin Park loves our unit because of your professionalism and the superb impression you have on the field.

            I would be remiss if I didn’t congratulate Kerry Hayer, Jim Hathaway and Trevor Howard for winning the “Coehorn Mortar Competition” Saturday afternoon on their first shot.  Great Job guys!

            Cannoneers, horses and drivers all did a great job and as always our ladies pitched right in to help us with any and everything!    Eddie’s food continues to be the highlight of the weekend, along with his stove (don’t know what I’m talking about, then join us in the field and find out!).

            We currently have 25 folks registered for the 145^th Manassas!   That promises to be a great event.    I’m going up on Thursday to get camp set up and positioned.   I’ll be the Chief of Federal Mounted Artillery, and our unit will be portraying the Union Battery we represent, Battery D “West Point” 5^th U.S. Artillery Regiment.   

             If you plan to attend the Allison's Woods Tactical the weekend of 15-17 September please get your check for $5.00 sent to Sam Prestipino NLT 15 July.   After that, registration will be $8.00 until the 1st of September.    Please let me know if you plan to attend.   We will need to determine how many guns to take to the event.

            The picture at the top of the page was taken at the Eastover event in May.    Yes that is Mike Lankford and 1st SGT Joe Slifer in the image.

See you around Eddie’s Cook TableJ

Capt. David L. Stanley, Cmdg.