First Impressions

This weekend saw the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Olustee, Florida. (An AAR of Saturday's tactical will be following shortly.) The time was spent largely with a contingent of the Southeastern Coalition of Authentic Reenactors (SCAR) known as the Salt River Rifles. I've followed the movements of the SRR and SCAR for some time now, and it was a pleasure to finally get to meet the members of these elite groups in person.

Apparently I made a good impression on them as well, for I've been invited by their commanding officer to join their ranks, effective immediately. This doesn't interfere with my primary unit affiliation, Company A of the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but rather provides an outlet for authentic reenacting to supplement the mainstream/progressive actions of my band of brothers from the Land of Lincoln.

I think I've got a good impression in mind for these groups, as well: a Southern Unionist, who has left his home and love upon the outbreak of hostilities to fight for preservation of the union. I'd like to get a thorough first-person portrayal for this one going soon.

I know, I'm a dork for the hobby, but if you're reading this blog, you probably have some interest in it as well.

There's a yellow rose in Georgia
That I am gonna see
No other soldier knows her
No soldier only me
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Oh the Chattahoochee's flowing
And the starry skies are bright
She walks along the river
In the quiet summer night
I know that she remembers
When we parted long ago
I promised to come back again
And not to leave her so

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Well my feet are shod and ready
And my heart is full of light
I'm going back to Georgia
To give the Rebs a fight
You may talk about your McClellan
And sing of General Meade
But Uncle Billy Sherman's gonna show you can't secede

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri