Fellow Longstreet's Corps Comrades,
First, allow me to apologize for not having posted anything new in a long while. I will do better. This has been a whirlwind year for me, as your Chief-of-Staff, with many demanding and challenging turns. Nothing really eart-shattering has come my way, but as many of you know, taking on new and larger responsibilities, can be a gradual process.
Gettysburg was a watershed event for "Getting me over the hump" in handling the logistics of not only Longstreet's Corps, but also in creating new friendships and alliances, and trying to make smooth cooperations with our brother organizations. I must say, this is all very exciting, and I tend to do my best work when I am run ragged, between juggling these responsibilities and duties with those of home and the workplace. I have now seen firsthand, just how well units and parent organizations of disparate backgrounds can come together, to deliver a quality event, with a minimum of snags.
My belated thanks go out, not only to all the hard working members of Longstreet's Corps Staff, but to every man and woman of the Corps, regardless of your rank or station. Everyone saw the Rubicon and crossed it, with great zeal and skill. Well done to all! I'm sorry these well-deserved words are tardy, yet they are sincerely felt .
I like the direction we are heading; words that are no doubt trite, yet far from cliche. The spirit of the Corps, our Corps seems to be quite good. As I made my way through the camps and formations, at Gettysburg I was taken with how positive everyone I encountered was. Though some logistical barriers presented themselves, all whom I spoke with, bore their lot with good humor. I'd have to say it was the best Gettysburg I have been to, since the 125th, in 1988. You, my friends, are the largest reason for that sentiment. Your willingness to be led and your professionalism of arms, were noted by many from outside our ranks. You may think no one notices your great deeds, but you are highly visible and keenly regarded, by many whom you may never meet.
As we prepare our kits for Cedar Creek, may we all travel with God's grace, to join in yet another of what I like to call, "magic moments" in re-enacting. Until we meet in camp and upon the battle line I remain,
Your Obedient Servant,
Colonel Gallion
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
"What Corps Are We?"
How many times over many years have we marched to those words, while passing in review or returning to camp on a Sunday, the event about to end? Those martial words ring as true, and cause us to quicken our step with pride, just as they must have similarly done for the boys in gray, whom we honor. And, isn't that why we do this, ultimately - to honor those whom we deem worthy of our praise and adulation?
Indeed, what Corps are we? Are we the same group of stalwarts who harken back to those early days, when our General Hillsman formed the Corps? Are we those veterans who saw the continuation of that dream, upon his passing, under the guiding hand of General Maupin? Are we the men of General Shoemake's command, with whom we shared many arduous campaigns? Are we the rank and file and officers who bear witness to General Cornett's leadership? And, where shall we be in ten years, nay, twenty and beyond, when we shall be too feeble to stand our posts?
The Corps is a living, breathing thing, full of heritage, honor, devotion, and comraderie. You see, the leadership of this Corps has always understood that we belong to a timeless, tireless assemblage, whose face is ever-changing, yet absorbed in the mirror of memories, a thing which cannot really be described, except by those of us who have helped shape it. We are the Corps. It is us. Its essence cannot be adequately conveyed to any but those who share its facets and its goodness. It is, as General Jackson might have said of it, "a providential thing." We are blessed to call it our home, our inspiration.
As we near the six-month anniversary of this new command, let us all vow to rally around the history, the hopes and dreams, and the true meaning of what we experience together, and to each renew our zeal for what we value most - each other, and what we bring to this sacrament table we call Longstreet's Corps.
I'll see you around the camp.
Colonel Gallion
Indeed, what Corps are we? Are we the same group of stalwarts who harken back to those early days, when our General Hillsman formed the Corps? Are we those veterans who saw the continuation of that dream, upon his passing, under the guiding hand of General Maupin? Are we the men of General Shoemake's command, with whom we shared many arduous campaigns? Are we the rank and file and officers who bear witness to General Cornett's leadership? And, where shall we be in ten years, nay, twenty and beyond, when we shall be too feeble to stand our posts?
The Corps is a living, breathing thing, full of heritage, honor, devotion, and comraderie. You see, the leadership of this Corps has always understood that we belong to a timeless, tireless assemblage, whose face is ever-changing, yet absorbed in the mirror of memories, a thing which cannot really be described, except by those of us who have helped shape it. We are the Corps. It is us. Its essence cannot be adequately conveyed to any but those who share its facets and its goodness. It is, as General Jackson might have said of it, "a providential thing." We are blessed to call it our home, our inspiration.
As we near the six-month anniversary of this new command, let us all vow to rally around the history, the hopes and dreams, and the true meaning of what we experience together, and to each renew our zeal for what we value most - each other, and what we bring to this sacrament table we call Longstreet's Corps.
I'll see you around the camp.
Colonel Gallion
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Where has the time gone?
It seems like yesterday that I was a rifle-toting groundpounder, following Captain Ray Oakes into mischief and battle. Those were some good days with the Danville Grays and all our brother units that comprised the Corps. A lot of events have come and gone in the twenty-two years since that sojourn began for me, and for us. In that time I have made some of the best and most steadfast friends a man could hope to acquire.
More faces have vanished into the abyss of time, than I can recollect. Gone are the days when Privates Mike Philyaw, Dave Cornett and myself were young bucks, inseparable and irrascible, in camp and in battle. The world was ours and only work and family got in the way of our, and countless others' martial hobby. To borrow words from General D. H. Hill, "We were lavish of blood in those days...." We thought little of the future of re-enacting, only living for the thrill of the moment, whether it was charging with Captain Frank Webber through tick-infested fields at Staunton River Bridge, or watching Sergeant Vic Middlekauff teach us all how to do skirmish drill at Petersburg.
Little did we know that one day some of our pards would not return to ranks, for various reasons. Like leaves from a tree, the scythe of time reaped a harvest of our friends and comrades, leaving our hearts sad and our camps and ranks delolate. I think it must have been like that, for all those stalwarts of 1861, who making it to Appomattox still alive, must have looked back upon those halcyon years of carnage with chagrined memory over those never again to be heard from or seen. I feel like a lost child, over twenty years later, and I miss all the fellows who helped make me welcome and proficient in this hobby.
Time, illness, divorce, bankruptcy, even death itself, have all caught up with many of our pards, and I now think I have at least a glimmer of how the old boys in gray must have felt. Don't get me wrong, we could never do what they did, no way, no how. It's just the pathos I understand a little better now. The old ranks can never again be reassembled. The trails of two hundred campaigns have left ragged the once youthful visage of my bright-eyed comrades, and in the words of the poet, Yeatts, "I grow old. I grow old. I shall wear my trousers rolled."
We will not see each other very often once we hang up the tunic that last time, just an occasional visit to the camps, no longer seeing many familiar faces. There shall be for us no "old soldiers' home" where we will while away the hours, regaling each other in tales of glory and hilarity. Yet in each other's minds, we shall be young, fervent, and happy, each of us our own sleeping Merlin, to be awakened by some future generation that needs some sort of heroes. We may some day no longer be able to march in step, or even keep time, yet we will have the memories that will keep us forever young, reminding us of the magical seasons we spent together.......once upon a time.
To the sacred memory of all our comrades whom we shall see on the other side.
Colonel Gallion
More faces have vanished into the abyss of time, than I can recollect. Gone are the days when Privates Mike Philyaw, Dave Cornett and myself were young bucks, inseparable and irrascible, in camp and in battle. The world was ours and only work and family got in the way of our, and countless others' martial hobby. To borrow words from General D. H. Hill, "We were lavish of blood in those days...." We thought little of the future of re-enacting, only living for the thrill of the moment, whether it was charging with Captain Frank Webber through tick-infested fields at Staunton River Bridge, or watching Sergeant Vic Middlekauff teach us all how to do skirmish drill at Petersburg.
Little did we know that one day some of our pards would not return to ranks, for various reasons. Like leaves from a tree, the scythe of time reaped a harvest of our friends and comrades, leaving our hearts sad and our camps and ranks delolate. I think it must have been like that, for all those stalwarts of 1861, who making it to Appomattox still alive, must have looked back upon those halcyon years of carnage with chagrined memory over those never again to be heard from or seen. I feel like a lost child, over twenty years later, and I miss all the fellows who helped make me welcome and proficient in this hobby.
Time, illness, divorce, bankruptcy, even death itself, have all caught up with many of our pards, and I now think I have at least a glimmer of how the old boys in gray must have felt. Don't get me wrong, we could never do what they did, no way, no how. It's just the pathos I understand a little better now. The old ranks can never again be reassembled. The trails of two hundred campaigns have left ragged the once youthful visage of my bright-eyed comrades, and in the words of the poet, Yeatts, "I grow old. I grow old. I shall wear my trousers rolled."
We will not see each other very often once we hang up the tunic that last time, just an occasional visit to the camps, no longer seeing many familiar faces. There shall be for us no "old soldiers' home" where we will while away the hours, regaling each other in tales of glory and hilarity. Yet in each other's minds, we shall be young, fervent, and happy, each of us our own sleeping Merlin, to be awakened by some future generation that needs some sort of heroes. We may some day no longer be able to march in step, or even keep time, yet we will have the memories that will keep us forever young, reminding us of the magical seasons we spent together.......once upon a time.
To the sacred memory of all our comrades whom we shall see on the other side.
Colonel Gallion
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
February Update
Comrades,
This week's blog is designed to give you all some updates on how things are shaping up for upcoming events. I have begun dialog with event organizers, for next month's Endview. Details are still being worked out, for logistics, bivouac, and Corps involvement. It would be very helpful to know from each company, how many military personnel and how many civilian dependents will be in attendance. A rough idea of your tentage will also help in determining our quota of acreage for our camps. Please get this to me at colgallionCOS@longstreetscorps.com as soon as possible.
Chancellorsville is still a work in progress, with nothing to report at this time. Contacts will be made soon, and when there is news for this event, it will be posted in a subsequent blog, on this site.
Gettysburg is well under way, for planning purposes. Senior staff accompanied General Cornett to Gettysburg, for a February 2nd and 3rd, planning summit with event organizers. Basic camps for all three branches have been laid out, and logistical matters are being dealt with, daily. I know many of you have registered for this event already. It will be most helpful to hear from company commanders of each branch, how your numbers are looking, so the most efficient military camp may be designed for our use. Use the same link above, to report these numbers.
At this point I can report that there will be a minimum of two battalions for Longstreet's corps. A third may yet be implemented. General Cornett has already inherited command of all Confederate forces (a fact established long before Corps Meeting, as most of you already know). The Corps will be under the direct command of Brevet Brigadier General Terry Shelton, with battalion commands being assigned to Brevet Colonels Jerry Markham and Tim Smith.
Much more information is in the works, for future correspondence. Do not hesitate to contact me, regarding any assistance I may be for your company's affairs. Again, I look forward to working with each of you, in the furtherance of our Corps.
What Corps are we!!!!???
Your Obedient,
Colonel Gallion
Chief-of-Staff
This week's blog is designed to give you all some updates on how things are shaping up for upcoming events. I have begun dialog with event organizers, for next month's Endview. Details are still being worked out, for logistics, bivouac, and Corps involvement. It would be very helpful to know from each company, how many military personnel and how many civilian dependents will be in attendance. A rough idea of your tentage will also help in determining our quota of acreage for our camps. Please get this to me at colgallionCOS@longstreetscorps.com as soon as possible.
Chancellorsville is still a work in progress, with nothing to report at this time. Contacts will be made soon, and when there is news for this event, it will be posted in a subsequent blog, on this site.
Gettysburg is well under way, for planning purposes. Senior staff accompanied General Cornett to Gettysburg, for a February 2nd and 3rd, planning summit with event organizers. Basic camps for all three branches have been laid out, and logistical matters are being dealt with, daily. I know many of you have registered for this event already. It will be most helpful to hear from company commanders of each branch, how your numbers are looking, so the most efficient military camp may be designed for our use. Use the same link above, to report these numbers.
At this point I can report that there will be a minimum of two battalions for Longstreet's corps. A third may yet be implemented. General Cornett has already inherited command of all Confederate forces (a fact established long before Corps Meeting, as most of you already know). The Corps will be under the direct command of Brevet Brigadier General Terry Shelton, with battalion commands being assigned to Brevet Colonels Jerry Markham and Tim Smith.
Much more information is in the works, for future correspondence. Do not hesitate to contact me, regarding any assistance I may be for your company's affairs. Again, I look forward to working with each of you, in the furtherance of our Corps.
What Corps are we!!!!???
Your Obedient,
Colonel Gallion
Chief-of-Staff
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Attention To Orders
Welcome to my blogsite. This page will be used to communicate with officers and men of Longstreet's Corps, on a variety of subjects. Primarily, information about events, requests for numbers and registrations, and orders transmitted for the Corps will be found here. Along the line I will post topics of interest for the good of the Corps' personnel.
I look forward to the task before me, as your new Chief-of-Staff. With your help we will advance the Corps into its bright future, with an eye on those who have guided it thus far. An e-mail account has been set up, by which you may contact me with Corps business. To e-mail me for such purposes please go to: colgallionCOS@longstreetscorps.com
If I may assist any of you in any way just get in touch with me. I'll respond in a timely fashion. These are exciting times, to be shared with good comrades. With troops such as you no commander could fail to achieve his objective.
As my first official duty, I will appreciate anticipated numbers for Endview (March 14-16), Chancellorsville I (April 4-6) and Gettysburg (July 3-6). Please include your tentage for all ranks in your e-mail report (listed above). Those of you who wish to register for the Battle of Liberty (Bedford) can either contact me directly, or by contacting: http://www.livingliberty.org/
Until we meet upon the field of honor, I remain,
Your Obedient.
Colonel Gallion
I look forward to the task before me, as your new Chief-of-Staff. With your help we will advance the Corps into its bright future, with an eye on those who have guided it thus far. An e-mail account has been set up, by which you may contact me with Corps business. To e-mail me for such purposes please go to: colgallionCOS@longstreetscorps.com
If I may assist any of you in any way just get in touch with me. I'll respond in a timely fashion. These are exciting times, to be shared with good comrades. With troops such as you no commander could fail to achieve his objective.
As my first official duty, I will appreciate anticipated numbers for Endview (March 14-16), Chancellorsville I (April 4-6) and Gettysburg (July 3-6). Please include your tentage for all ranks in your e-mail report (listed above). Those of you who wish to register for the Battle of Liberty (Bedford) can either contact me directly, or by contacting: http://www.livingliberty.org/
Until we meet upon the field of honor, I remain,
Your Obedient.
Colonel Gallion
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