The weekend of October 16-17 saw the resumption of the reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek after a year off due to Covid. Linda and I joined the 7th Louisiana Co B. for the event. An old friend from “Gods and Generals,” Tony Morgan, was our commander.
Linda and I arrived midday on Friday and set up our tent as a home base for our belongings for the weekend, although we were actually spending the nights at the Ramada Inn in Strasburg just a couple of miles down the road. (We were literally ‘Ramada Rangers.’) The weather on Friday was pleasant and we had time later to make a foray into Winchester.
Saturday was a different prospect. The sky was overcast from the beginning and threatened rain all morning. As we begin our morning drill, Greg arrived and after drill, got settled in with his dog tent. While Linda and I were checking out the sutlers, the wind started up and by the time we got back to camp, a steady rain was falling. This resulted in a two-hour delay in the afternoon battle. After the rain stopped, however, we had company. WVRA members, Art and Pam Dodds came by the camp to say hello. (While usually portraying Union Governor Francis Pierpont and his wife Julia, they may have convinced the Confederate sentries that they were Confederate Governor, John Letcher and his wife, Susan on this occasion.)
After a pleasant visit with our guests, we began getting ready for the Battle of Cedar Creek. The battle was conducted much as it usually is, although there were no Federals in camp to skedaddle at our approach. Otherwise it was the familiar format, somewhat enlivened by a stiff wind that repeated blew any hat with much of a brim off of its owner. Our sergeant-major ended up carrying mine for the last half of the battle.
Sunday presented much nicer weather, cool but reasonably clear. The battle scenario was supposed to be part of the action at Fredericksburg, but it was never clear to me exactly what part, since it involved us pushing the outnumbered Federals up a hill until the battle ended.
After the battle, we said our goodbyes, struck the tent, loaded up everything on our cart and headed for the car. Consequently, we were able to get back to the hotel rather quickly.
Overall, while there were noticeably fewer reenactors than in 2019, there were enough for a decent event. Likewise for the sutlers. The battles were adequate and while many of us seemed a little rusty, we quickly shook the rust off. If nothing else, it felt good to get out into the field after a long layoff (for me anyway.) We had a good time and I look forward to the next one.
Much thanks to Tony Morgan and the other members of the 7th Louisiana who made us feel welcome.
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