What an Amazing Year and Some Major Civil War Projects Are Coming

As the season winds down, looking back on the year, it was a busy year all the way around. For those who participated in the South Mountain Battlefield hikes, thank you for coming out and supporting the battlefield. This year the Friday afternoon battlefield tours were a smashing success. The living history programs were also successful. Between all the battlefield programs and education program, I came in contact with more than 11,000 people for more than 150 total programs. That is amazing, so to all thank you again for your support.

Monterey Pass Battlefield also had a good year. The new Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield has helped to raise more than $102,000 for battlefield preservation. My wife Alicia serves as the chairman of the friends’ organization while I dropped back from being a Board Member and Chairman of the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association/Monterey Pass Battlefield Committee to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Historian working with the township and the newly formed friends’ group. See their blog that I am doing.

While South Mountain in both Maryland and Pennsylvania had great success, I expanded my horizons now participating in my third major documentary serving as one of the main historians for that project covering South Mountain Battlefield, Emmitsburg, Maryland the Union advance to and from Gettysburg and the Confederate withdraw from Gettysburg including the Battle of Monterey Pass. More information about this project will be forthcoming.

As most of you know, I was one of the leading historians for the 10 Days and Still They Come documentary in which Ted Alexander, Wayne Hutzell and Russ Richards were the other historians and advisors on set. I was also one of the historians for the Battle of Hagerstown documentary that premiered back in July. I also served as the historical advisor to Carroll Smith with her project. She did a painting depicting the Battle of Monterey Pass.

In the beginning of the year, I was asked by Franklin County Tourism to conduct a Civil War interpretive program that was both formal and informal for the Chambersburg 150th kick off. My group of living historians recreated the 8th Virginia Infantry which was thoroughly research from what they did in Chambersburg to what they were wearing with regards to uniforms and equipment. We were the only authentic campaigner unit there.

Since then, I have accepted a very limited role with the Waynesboro 150th Committee. This committee is still in the midst of organizing. I have faith that this group will plan some exciting events and programs. Other important committees I am part of deal with the 150th of the Maryland Campaign as well as Franklin County in the Civil War.

But since my contract with Maryland ended (Don't worry, I will be heading back early next year), I have decided to return where I began with Emmitsburg, since I a two months before I go back to Maryland. I have researched Emmitsburg for over thirteen years and I have decided to work on producing my second book dealing with Emmitsburg during the Civil War. I have added footnotes and I am in process of editing the content. I hope that this book will be ready and available to the public by mid 2012.

My first 32 page booklet entitled “The Battle of Monterey Pass, Pennsylvania’s Second Largest Civil War Battle” is still available for $8.00 shipping included. If you are interested, please make check payable to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Association, 144 North Church Street, Waynesboro, Pa. 17268