Tents, hidden by the black of night, occasionally come into view when the fire grows. Our camp echoes with laughter and singing. The fire burns, crackling up like an off tempo drum beat, much like my spoon playing, flicking the instrument between my hand and thigh. Meanwhile, Drum Major Josh keeps a solid tempo onContinueContinue reading “Stan Rogers’ Disappointment”
Tag Archives: civil war
Camp Kearny
The company is on dress parade, bayonets fixed, haversacks left behind in tents. The day’s weather has been tolerable for wearing our blue wool uniforms. It may rain tonight, but not on our parade! After we’ve reached the colors, First Sergeant Pinette presents the company to Captain Bray. It’s my first official dress parade, evenContinueContinue reading “Camp Kearny”
Second Pass | February 2026
Essays, second drafts, and a little inspiration Table of Contents Featured Essay Notes Writing Prompts What I’m Reading Quote Subscriber Content Featured Essay Effort and Faith: Are They Enough? Over the past month, I wrote a lot about Anne Frank — just one quote even! I mean, if I can type up three blog postsContinueContinue reading “Second Pass | February 2026”
Historical What-Ifs with ChatGPT
Ever wondered what would happen if the 3rd Maine held the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg? I ran the scenario with ChatGPT, using it to roleplay Confederate commanders and refuse to go easy on me. The result? Two wildly different alternate histories—one implausible, one surprisingly believable—that reimagined the days after July 2, 1863.
Second Pass | July 2025
Where the drafts eat grilled steak, get corn stuck in their gums, and need a good flossin’ 📑 Table of Contents Featured Essay: Why I Didn’t Vlog My Travels Inspiration Writing Prompts What I’m Reading: A Little Life, Binge, Clash of Eagles Bonus: High School Forever? Subscriber Content Featured Essay Why I Didn’t Vlog MyContinueContinue reading “Second Pass | July 2025 “
Reenactor Withdrawals
I’m experiencing reenacting withdrawals. If there’s one negative about my current location, it’s the distance from my friends and comrades. From my classroom, I see flurries of snow. I can’t tell if they come from the heavens or the snow guns on Sugarloaf. I have coffee in a new mug I received during Christmas. AndContinueContinue reading “Reenactor Withdrawals”
Walking Home to Georgia II – Fiction
A small cabin slightly off the path caught Jim’s eye. It was the first human structure Jim had seen in a while. Ten foot long and perhaps the same in width. The front door was hardly able to be properly latched if there had been a latch to begin with. Jim stopped on the path.ContinueContinue reading “Walking Home to Georgia II – Fiction”
Walking Home to Georgia – Fiction
The thunderstorm was moving quickly towards Jim. Thunder erupted above him like a thousand muskets. Lightning flashed in the dimming light of dusk. Jim had anticipated this storm for a while as he watched the clouds assemble in their uniforms of grey and butternut. In some sense, he felt a connection to the clouds. HeContinueContinue reading “Walking Home to Georgia – Fiction”
Camp of Instruction 2024
This year’s Camp of Instruction (COI) for the 3rd Maine was splendid…wet and splendid. Over 50 people joined in for drill, cooking, music, and general shenanigans. It was much like previous COI events I’ve attended in the past, but unique as well. This time, I did more filming than drilling. I’m working on a fewContinueContinue reading “Camp of Instruction 2024”
An Account of the 160th Battle of the Wilderness
What do you get when you put 17 reenactors from three different units together into two vans? A hilarious and long-ass ride to the 160th Battle of the Wilderness! The Drive On May 2nd, in pouring rain, a large batch of us loaded up the vans with equipment from our starting point in Brunswick, Maine.ContinueContinue reading “An Account of the 160th Battle of the Wilderness”