On the weekend, the Moorpark Rotary Club hosted their 14th Annual "The Blue and the Gray Civil War Reenactment."
We had gone to these reenactments in nearby Moorpark three different years and had always enjoyed them.
This year took on some special significance as our younger son Michael would participate as a Union soldier thanks to the urging of long time Blue warrior and Hall-of-Fame football coach George Hurley.
We also had young Dylan Moore and his mother and grandmother (Cyndy and Debi Murphy) with us as Dylan has turned into a Civil War buff at a very tender age.
Company E
Second Vermont
Volunteer Infantry
This was the Union outfit that Michael and George had both joined, but where were they?
There they were!
Dylan and George
Michael and Dylan
Well, it wasn't Michael anymore. I believe that because he was underage and itching to fight for his country, he had volunteered under an assumed name. His fellow soldiers knew him as Billy Otis Streeter.
He may have been on the run from the law according to his mother.
A Rebel at Rest
We arrived for the 3:00 p.m. battle. Sadly, Billy Otis had been killed at noon by a musket ball to the "groin" in the day's first of three battles.
Between the battles, he miraculously had come back to life.
Is there a Zouave in the House?
The Zouaves were originally French North African troops that wore these outlandish uniforms. During the American Civil War, over 70 Union regiments of elite troops adopted the Zouave uniform as their own. Many even trimmed their facial hair into what was known as a "French-style."
No clue what that means exactly but I do like the look!
Rebel Forces Starting to Muster
The Women-folk were supporting
the troops today as well
the troops today as well
Rebel Cannon Line
Union Forces bringing up
their own artillery
their own artillery
Getting ready to fire
Dylan and his new best friend Duncan
getting ready to watch the battle
getting ready to watch the battle
"FIRE!!!"
Rebel Forces on the March
"THAT-A-WAY"
Rebels with BAD body language
The Union Camp
Union Forces moving into position
A Rebel General grilling Dylan on
why he was wearing a Union cap
why he was wearing a Union cap
Nice horse General
Man the mini-barricades
Union Forces on the March
The Union Cavalry was ready
Tension in the Air
Killing Field
Mike, aka Billy Otis Streeter, is in
the front line, 4th from either side
the front line, 4th from either side
Having learned nothing from his noon battle/death, he was perfectly positioned to die early in the 3:00 p.m. battle too.
Rebel Brass on Horseback
Billy Otis is still alive,
he is the one with the facial hair
he is the one with the facial hair
"ATTACK!!!"
"HOLD YOUR GROUND!!!"
Facing Deadly Odds
Superior Rebel Cavalry
"BOMB THEM BACK
TO THE STONE AGE!"
TO THE STONE AGE!"
Oops, wrong war, that was General Curtis LeMay's comment in Vietnam.
Artillery Fire Smoke Rings
It only happened a few times but was a big crowd pleaser to be sure.
Nice Roan
SABERS!!!
FIRE!
RELOAD!
Billy Otis was down again
He is in the middle of these casualties, bearded and with a bald head. This time it was a musket ball to the neck that did him in.
The Union now wanted REVENGE!
And the band played on
Taps
The battle was over and both sides paid tribute to their fallen comrades.
Billy Otis is . . .
ALIVE!!!
ALIVE!!!
Carpetbaggers if you ask me
It was a really fun afternoon made even more special this year with Mike's participation as a Union private.
Apparently, he did survive the 5:00 p.m. battle.
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