Gettysburg Battle Reenactment AAR

July 4, 2023

Dragoons,

I am submitting this report nine days after the event for two reasons. The first is that I wanted to wait until after the Daniel Lady's Farm 160th Gettysburg event was over in case any of our units also attended that one. The second is to wish everyone a safe and Happy Independence Day. As always, the cavalry arrived in the nick of time. Huzzah!

160 years ago, to the day and almost to the hour, the fate of the United States began to proceed down the long historical road to the present path we experience today. At Gettysburg, on the afternoon of July 4, 1863, the sky opened up, and a downpour washed the blood from the battle-torn fields and the thousands of bodies still strewn in and around that small Pennsylvania town. Lee and his army had been defeated and began the long and painful retreat back to Virginia. Little did anyone know the impact of all the decisions and choices made during July 1-4, 1863, and what it would have upon our nation's future history. The result of Gettysburg and the fall of Vicksburg had such an enormous impact on the Confederate states that if neither event had occurred, we might not have today "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In today's world, those words we say in our pledge of allegiance should not be taken for granted, as Abraham Lincoln words from the Gettysburg Address still reverberate with us to this day. Our nation is still being "tested whether that nation [conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal] or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.  

May we as a nation be granted the mercy to still "long endure".

On June 23-25, 2023 our unit had the privilege to participate in the PCWA [Patriots of the Civil War Association] 160th Gettysburg re-enactment. The re-enactment took place along Marsh Creek near the sight where cavalry Lieutenant Marcellus Jones, Co E  8th Illinois fired the first shot of the battle during the early morning hours of July 1, 1863. We were grouped with troopers from Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio to combine as one company commanded by Captain Steve Dacus from Wyoming. Yours truly acted as Lieutenant of the whole platoon on day one [Buford's Delay] and leader of 1st squadron on day two [Defense of Fairfield Road supply wagons]. On day three the 2nd US galvanized into the 9th VA Co D during the re-enactment of the East Calvary Field battle. I have to say riding confederate, I see now why the rebs find us so hard to defeat on the battlefield.  Federal cavalry coming at you is truly impressive. 

Mentioned in this dispatch are Sergeant Barry for getting to camp first and picking out a good location for both human and horse. Trooper Amy [Amos] for acting as both guidon and trooper in the ranks; going wherever she was needed. Trooper Tony for making the trip all the way from the Czech Republic to add to our ranks. And the two troopers from Iowa Kerwin Van Houten and Barry Bergman who we adopted into our ranks and made them one of our own. They will always be affectionately be known as "Kermit and Little Bear". Last, and far from not least, are our logistical team of Troopers Hank and Harry. Hank for again providing us with delicious meals which were envied by other units as well as prowled upon by the captain's son, the "cookie monster" and Harry for providing file closer support during the Cooke's drill Friday morning [which his left knee reminded him the rest of the weekend for doing] and for being persistent in acquiring us water to fill the trough for our thirsty horses. Huzzah! The whole weekend, despite the intermitted rain showers, did not damper the true spirit of comradery in the ranks and in the camp.

May you and yours enjoy the freedoms we all share as a nation that so easily could have been lost if the "high ground" had not been held by Buford's Cavalry 160 years ago.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,

Brad E. Thomas

Captain, Commanding

2nd U.S. Cavalry Company A/9th Virginia Cavalry Company D