Busy busy weekend!
Aug. 31st, 2008 08:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
olde_fashionedThe past few days have been even more crazy than normal. ;-P Spencer got back from his trip to Utah on Thursday, so the rest of that day and most of the next was spent with him, and then yesterday (Saturday) after he got off work, we went to see The Dark Knight. I'll be posting a review of that soon, when I can get it finished. ;-)
Today we also attended the local annual Civil War Reencactment, which has become almost a tradition. Both my brother and I love going, despite the heat, but since it's usually the same thing every year we opted not to bring the camera. (if you're interested in pics, check out my entry on last year's battle HERE)
This year, though, after arriving early enough to see a weapons demonstration and hear a bit of a rousing pro-Southern speech (which I loved btw), we were pleasantly treated to battle plans changed around entirely, so we got quite an enjoyable surprise! Instead of having the two lines of Confederates and Yanks fight back and forth a bit like the normally do a good distance away from the crowds, a group of Yankees snuck around the rear of the Rebel lines during the "battle" and chased away the Rebel artilleryman, taking possession of their cannons. A few more volleys were exchanged between the now-surrounded Rebs and invading Yanks, until a larger band of Rebel reenforcements came charging up from behind the line of spectators and rushed out onto the battlefield, "yelling like furies" the whole way! ;-D It was quite exciting, and that's the only time I regretting not having my camera. The Rebs (now back in control of their own artillery) were literally right in front of us. I could have reached out and snatched one guy's hat if I had wanted to, he was so close.
As always, the end of the battle was marked by the playing of Taps on a lone trumpet. A solemn hush fell over (most of) the chattering viewers, the rattle of musketry ceased, and everyone stood silent for a moment even after the last notes drained away. Then the audience burst out into an enthusiastic applause, the"dead" got up from their prostrate positions, and the fight was over. I can never help but get goosebumps as I think of all those countless men who died for what they believed in, almost a hundred and fifty years ago, and I'd like to think they would approve of the efforts of some to remember them, and perpetuate their memories with future generations.
ETA, because I shamefully almost forgot -- eleven years ago, Princess Diana died. :-( Even with her flaws, I still think she was a lovely woman, and surely she would have been proud of her sons.
Today we also attended the local annual Civil War Reencactment, which has become almost a tradition. Both my brother and I love going, despite the heat, but since it's usually the same thing every year we opted not to bring the camera. (if you're interested in pics, check out my entry on last year's battle HERE)
This year, though, after arriving early enough to see a weapons demonstration and hear a bit of a rousing pro-Southern speech (which I loved btw), we were pleasantly treated to battle plans changed around entirely, so we got quite an enjoyable surprise! Instead of having the two lines of Confederates and Yanks fight back and forth a bit like the normally do a good distance away from the crowds, a group of Yankees snuck around the rear of the Rebel lines during the "battle" and chased away the Rebel artilleryman, taking possession of their cannons. A few more volleys were exchanged between the now-surrounded Rebs and invading Yanks, until a larger band of Rebel reenforcements came charging up from behind the line of spectators and rushed out onto the battlefield, "yelling like furies" the whole way! ;-D It was quite exciting, and that's the only time I regretting not having my camera. The Rebs (now back in control of their own artillery) were literally right in front of us. I could have reached out and snatched one guy's hat if I had wanted to, he was so close.
As always, the end of the battle was marked by the playing of Taps on a lone trumpet. A solemn hush fell over (most of) the chattering viewers, the rattle of musketry ceased, and everyone stood silent for a moment even after the last notes drained away. Then the audience burst out into an enthusiastic applause, the"dead" got up from their prostrate positions, and the fight was over. I can never help but get goosebumps as I think of all those countless men who died for what they believed in, almost a hundred and fifty years ago, and I'd like to think they would approve of the efforts of some to remember them, and perpetuate their memories with future generations.
ETA, because I shamefully almost forgot -- eleven years ago, Princess Diana died. :-( Even with her flaws, I still think she was a lovely woman, and surely she would have been proud of her sons.
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no subject
Date: 2008-09-01 05:47 pm (UTC)Re-enactments are special. Even the "re-enactments" that we do in the SCA have those kind of moments too.
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Date: 2008-09-04 09:53 pm (UTC)I'd love to attend an SCA reenactment someday. :-)
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Date: 2008-09-04 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-07 11:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-02 10:51 am (UTC)A related story: while I was living in Europe my niece and older nephew visited. We attended the reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo. At the end of the battle my nephew turned to find himself face to face with "Napoleon and his famous horse." The fellow playing this part uncannily resembled David's famous painting. We were all in awe. To this day my nephew talks with zeal about his experience.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-02 11:57 pm (UTC)A friend of my grandma's let us read his ancestor's account of Gettysburg (? I think it was??). She kept a diary of the aftermath and goings-on from her perspective, and her various encounters with soldiers. It was utterly fascinating and a real priviledge to read.
Ohhhhh!!!! Ohh, that's, that's...that's so amazing I don't even have anything to say, lol!! (and I just recently deleted my icon of that painting, darn it!!) Talk about an experience...wow. 8-o You're lucky!!