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Preservation March 2000

On a beautiful crisp fall weekend over 150 reenactors marched through the lovely Shenandoah Valley to raise money for battlefield preservation.  The fellas marched roughly 8 miles Saturday and 6 miles Sunday.  The event was open to the public on Sunday October 29th where the guys ended their march on some private land in Upperville, VA.   I went to cheer the guys on being that I was sponsoring some of my pards and to also catch some talks held by some of my favorite historians.  In particular my all time favorite and hero the indomitable Ed Bearss.  Kudos to all the guys who participated and marched - they raised over $50,000!  Special kudos to Rob Hodge who organized and got this event going.  

The event started around 10:00 a.m.  I hooked up with my friends Andy, Heidi and Jack to cheer on our pards Charles and Christopher who participated in the march.  The fellas arrived from their morning march roughly 40 minutes later.  The 35th NC troops arrived first and much to my astonishment their file closer was none other than 77 year old Ed Bearss himself!   He was my hero before, but seeing this World War II marine march with the guys and portraying a tar heel at that put him on a even higher pedestal in my heart.    He had marched the entire 6 miles with the fellas and they said he loved every minute of it.  My buddies who were portraying the 7th Indiana were jealous that Ed didn't go yank.   I've gone on several battlefield tours with Ed and all I can say is take a tour with him while he's still breathing.  He's the best!

Ed after the march Sunday morning signing books - I'm half tar heel and it tickled me that he portrayed a vet of the Old North State

Ed with the event organizer Rob Hodge

Well after chatting with Charles of the 35th NCT, we wondered where good old Christopher could be.  Then we spied a lot of blue wool relaxing way over near the ruins of a stone house.    We meandered on over and found our pard.

My pard Christopher aka "Hicks"

My pard Jack aka "Luther"

The Calvary demonstration - no modern views to spoil it!

A federal officer fords a stream

Both boys in blue and gray relax before the afternoon battle

Well I got a book signed by good old Ed and also purchased some videos of old vetrans.   Before long it was time for the battle.  We heard some great talks by Brian Pohanka and Ed on the importance of battlefield preservation.  Then Ed took the mike to act as play by play man for the battle.  The battle was on a great field near a lovely ruined stone house.

The battle play by play courtsey of Ed Bearss

The battle scenario was great - one of the guys even portrayed the gallant Pellam maning his guns!  Afterwards Rob Hodge had Ed strip down to model the event t-shirt which was a hit with the crowd.  

I went and purchased one myself.  Don't you just love the fools cap on it!  It says dead or alive - $20 a head.  It was designed by Rob Hodge.   Makes a person want to wear it to the next meeting open to the public on zoning in Virginia i.e. Spottsylvania and Manassas!  If you'd like to purchase a t-shirt, they are on sale from the event website. Click here for details.

All photos by Ann Collins

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