We had waited for months for this one, and it was worth it! Without a doubt, this was the best organized reenactment that any of us had ever been to. With over 17,000 reenactors in attendance, almost everything ran smoothly. There was plenty of wood, plenty of straw, lots of room for camps, and port-o-lets in many locations, but out of sight.

The site was great with trees on all sides to hide any modern views such as the interstate to the north. Fire hydrants had been covered with straw bales, and even the paved road through the middle of the farm had been covered with 135 tons of mulch so even that did not detract from the scene. Split rail fences had been constructed at several locations, a sunken road created, and thirty acres of corn grown specifically for the "cornfield" scenario.

Usually there is one battle which is better than the rest at most events, but any of the three battles at Sharpsburg would have been worth the drive. On Saturday we did "A.P. Hill's attack" and it was incredible to watch some 7000 or more Confederate troops as they marched into position for the battle. That they were opposed by some 8000 Federal troops only made it that much more impressive. We would have liked to have been able to fire a bit more than we did, but the ineptitude of our division commander prevented that. Still, the overall effect was incredible.

On Sunday morning, we were wakened by the sounds of drums at about 3:30. We formed up and arrived at the cornfield before it was light and began a huge artillery barrage. The landscape was covered in fog, so that one could only see a few yards, and after the first round of cannon fire, the smoke prevented even that much! After the cannon had cleared the way, the soldiers went into the cornfield, and those who went in said it was a mass of confusion. This may be as close we will ever come to knowing what those men experienced 135 years ago. For the rest of the weekend, soldiers would come up to us and tell us that the initial barrage was one of the most awesome things they had ever witnessed. Many said it was the highlight of their entire weekend and made the battle perfect.

With only a few hours rest, we fought the battle of the bloody lane on Sunday afternoon, and this battle was spectacular as well. The troops just kept coming, and kept dying. For the third time our division command prevented us from firing as much as we should have but we managed to fire over thirty rounds anyhow! As always the PLA had the best drilled crew on the field, and the members acquitted themselves admirably.

Other highlights included many suttlers, decent food vendors, and an 1860's style minstrel show in the camp of the 5th NY Zouaves. Bruce Hoover was so inspired by this that he bought a reproduction 19th century banjo and will probably be plaguing us in camp with it soon! All in all, the weekend was a huge success for all that went.