Those of you who failed to mobilize at Gibson Ranch for the first NCWA meeting of the season missed an excellent event. The Confederate HQ staff organized and led a superb Camp of Instruction. The physical camp itself consisted of two separate divisions, one for campaign style bivouacs and the other for more traditional, if less authentic, A-frames and wall tents with flys. Small squads were organized to intensify individual instruction and focus more attention to details that make for a more accurate historical experience. We drilled using the revised version of Hardee's, the new standard for re-enactors portraying the middle and late years of the War of the Rebellion. The South published and implemented Hardee's revisions in 1862 to accommodate the longer three band weapons commonly used. Frazier's Legion has adopted the revised Hardee's for it's manual of arms. If you attended either of the 135th Anniversary events at Sharpsburg or Gettysburg, or the Camp of Instruction, you became acquainted with the new system.

Apart from learning new drills and marching concepts, our instruction took a distinctly different and interesting turn. Experienced, individual re-enactors provided additional training in a number of techniques intended to assist folks with perfecting their impression. Small seminars on packing knapsacks and haversacks, as well as period camp cooking, held the rapt attention of re-enactor audiences. I personally received remedial instruction in properly rolling my greatcoat and strapping it to my pack, something I could not accomplish on my own. We got to review and practice things you only read about in the Camp Chase Gazette or other hardcore journals. In addition, the Ordinance Department provided special instruction in field cleaning techniques for small arms, both rifles and pistols. Confederate Ground Charge Engineers and Hospital staff provided additional tips and information for incorporating their services into the role each of us plays. After all, the operative word in re-enacting is acting!

This year the entire Confederate battalion will be asked to portray troops on campaign, at least during NCWA battles. Every private, NCO and officer, including light order troops, will wear knapsacks and/or bedrolls into battle. The picnic days of carrying just a canteen and cartridge box into our engagements have passed. For those of you who want to have an authentic Civil War experience or those who have no idea what this means, do not fail to miss another event. This will be our finest year as historical re-enactors.

In order to have quality events, we must properly educate and prepare one another. This means devoting attention to the smallest details of our appearance, accoutrements and demeanor. The men in Frazier's Legion took this first step at the Camp of Instruction and now ask the rest of you to follow along. Farbs beware! We ain't just camping in costume anymore!

War Correspondent R.U.Serius