Your author dressed out as a Marine Lieutenant, Circa 1812. Naval guns at the McHenry Water Battery in the background.

First – My apologies for such a long delay in blogging.  Life just got in the way, but I’m back now.

This past weekend the US Marine Corps Historical Company was at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, for Defenders Day, to tell the Marine Corps story – what the Marines did during the War of 1812. This is an annual program for us, and we are contracted by the National Park Service to provide educational services to the visiting public.  To do so, we brought in an impressive group of active duty Marines from various bases around the east coast. These were led by a cadre of historical interpreters who are active duty, former active duty, retired or otherwise members of the Marine family. Indeed, this cadre is the mainstay of the Historical Company.

Supported by our superb logistics team, we had a dozen Marines in 1812 uniforms, doing both infantry drill and working our 12 pounder naval gunnade as a precision artillery crew. At this time in Marine history, all Marines were expertly trained in multi-tasking.  They served as infantry, artillery (on land when needed and in support of naval gun crews on board ship), and conducted naval shipboard duties, as well.  Over the weekend we fired 18 rounds from the gunnade and numerous infantry volleys, after demonstrating precision manual at arms movements and other drill exercises. The park visitors do so love a big bang, and we gave them plenty.

Marines (in full dress) functioning as infantry.

We had several thousand Baltimore school kids pass thru Friday, alone. Bus loads arrived one after the other.  Non-stop presentations. Tom Williams, the Director USMCHC, gave talks from morning until late pm, not only Friday, but all three days.

Marines (in fatigue dress) functioning as artillery, manning the 12 pounder naval gunnade, while the Director USMCHC explains the gun drill to the visitors in background.

We told the Marine Corps story to lots of good folks, and demonstrated the precision and professionalism that has become the Marine Corps standard of excellence, then, and now. Although I may have just a bit of prejudice, I would have to say our Marines were awesome.

Semper Fi !

Marines in platoon front formation exiting the Fort. GySgt Tom Williams, Director USMCHC on left as you view photograph.

Full seven-man gunnade crew loading the piece in preparation for firing. There are four Marines on the gun itself (Crew Numbers 1 thru 4), a gunner commanding the piece just visible to the rear, and two Marines at the ammunition box in the foreground (Crew Numbers 5 and 6). This versatile gun could be used either on board ship or as a field piece on shore.

I am not a “wargamer,” so the Historicon event on 8-11 July, 2010, at King of Prussia, PA, was totally new to me, and I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised, pleased, amazed, and pretty much blown away. Apparently there are three of these wargaming events each year on the east coast: One I’m not quite sure about I believe called “Cold Wars” in the April timeframe, Historicon in July, and an event called Fall-In, October 29-31, 2010. The major focus of these events is on wargaming various military battles in history on large tables.

The dedicated participants use small figures of various sizes to depict companies of troops, regimental units, or even armies – depending on the battle. Very detailed and elaborate sets are constructed on which to fight – from Medieval castles, to Viking raids on villages, to desert warfare, and, yes, even the skies over Britain for the battle thereof – using model aircraft, flying and fighting at different altitudes no less. This is an over simplification, but combat movements, engagements, confrontations, and the like, are decided by a roll of the dice. These folks really take their work seriously, and one movement or confrontation might take an hour or more to accomplish while they move the various pieces measured distances around the table.

Wargaming Hall

Historicon this year was located at the Valley Forge Convention Center, and it needed the space. They filled two major hotels, and rooms were scarce throughout the entire area. There were three primary features to the event. The foremost was the wargaming activities not only in a huge room full of tables, but in smaller rooms, passageways, and even various hotel rooms. The second feature was an enormous vendor area, sectioned off, which included sellers of everything one might need to wargame from miniature soldiers, to tanks, to planes, to set construction materials, to military history books, and on and on. To my delight, this area hosted such fine historical military artists as Keith Rocco, and Peter Culos, as well as sculptors like Terry Jones. The third activity at Historicon was the “War College.” This was an on-going series of talks by military historians throughout each day of the event and into the evenings.

Notice the detail in this Viking ship

Actor and military consultant for the film and TV industry, Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret), was Guest of Honor speaker. The quest speakers included such notables as Rene´Chartrand, former Chief Curator, Parks Canada; Colonel David Glantz, renowned expert on combat studies; and Angus Konstam, former Senior Curator of Weapons, Royal Armouries, London. There were numerous other speakers – including your humble servant. I was asked to give a presentation on the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean War. When I did so, I discovered, again to my delight, that the folks who enjoy wargaming are not only gaming enthusiasts, but extremely precise and accomplished historians in their particular historical period of interest. My audience asked some excellent questions, and their interest was intense.

All in all, Historicon was a first-rate experience, and I look forward to attending next year. The theme for next year is the American Civil War, and I have been asked to give possibly two talks. One on the impact of the Crimean War on the American Civil War, and the other on Lincoln’s personal security, comparing it to personal security provided modern leaders.

I should also mention that I’ll be busy at the wargaming event in October (Fall-In at Lancaster, PA). The theme there this year is the US Marine Corps, celebrating its 235th Birthday. The US Marine Corps Historical Company will be setting up a massive display to illustrate the theme with uniforms, equipment and weaponry from the Revolutionary Marines to the Marines fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq today. In addition, GySgt Tom Williams, Director, USMCHC, and I will present talks on the Marines at Harpers Ferry and the Marines at First Bull Run.

The Theme for this year's Historicon was 17th Century Warfare

Battle of Isandlwana - January 1879

Keith Rocco - Historical Artist and good friend.

Tate Farm - Today

I was on my way early Thursday morning to ride “Sunny” at my stable in Hunterstown, looking forward to a cool morning’s horse ride.  I passed the Tate Farm, at the old square in Hunterstown, and saw that there was an encampment and lecture tent set up in the yard.  I had forgotten about this neat program.  Last year The Gettysburg Conspiracy was not published in July, and I missed out on this event.  I decided to try to set up an impromptu book signing, because the Battle of Hunterstown figures prominently in the novel. The folks there from the Hunterstown Historical Society welcomed me, and my riding went by the wayside.

Friday through Sunday is the annual Gettysburg Reenactment of the major battle, and folks here tend to forget that there were engagements outside the town of importance (Ref my blog:  http://willhutchison.com/blog/2010/01/24/custers-unknown-and-ill-fated-charge-in-the-gettysburg-campaign-2-july-1863-part-ii/ ).  It was a beautiful sunny, yet coolish day, and quite enjoyable meeting and talking to folks about the battle.

Beautiful Horse (Root Beer) and a good authentic cavalryman

Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center

During the week and on the second weekend of the Gettysburg Fringe Festival I was busy signing more books and talking to folks about history and Gettysburg.  By far the highlight of this time was several hours spent signing books at the Museum Book Store in the new Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) Visitor Center.  It wasn’t easy to arrange. The Park has a very high quality control vetting process for books they place on their shelves, and they do not ordinarily take fiction, even Civil War historical fiction.

I had my work cut out for me to become accepted.  If so, I would be in very high company.  Their fiction shelf contains such stalwarts as Jeff Shaara, Newt Gingrich, Margaret Mitchell, and Stephen Crane – and not many others.  I had to gain the approval of the National Park Service staff, the Museum Book Store, and an outside organization, Event Network, who buy the books for the Museum Book Store – and they are in California. They all had to read and approve the work.  Of course, the book had to be about the town of Gettysburg, the battle, or at least the American Civil War.  Therefore, my two Crimean War books would not qualify.

After many months of paperwork, numerous phone calls and emails, and being bounced about between these entities a bit, I received word that The Gettysburg Conspiracy, my recent novel about a fictional attempt to assassinate Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg Address, had made the grade. I must say, it was well worth the time and trouble. Acceptance meant that the book would also be available at the David Wills House on the square in Gettysburg (which figures prominently in the plot of the story), as well as in the Park Museum Book Store.  Between the Park and the Wills House, the annual visitation is over one and a half million.

I spent my time at the Visitor Center Book Store this weekend amazed at the quality and quantity of historical books, staggered by the amount of traffic, and delighted at the intense interest in anything “Civil War.”   The book store staff were kind and helpful, and it is always fun talking to folks and answering questions about my favorite subject.

It was among the elegant pages of Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage where I discovered my profound interest in history and especially the Civil War.  I am looking forward to my next book signing session at the Museum Book Store, and to walking into the store to see my novel on that shelf with my childhood icon, Stephen Crane.

As for the Gettysburg Fringe Festival, which prompted all my activities over the past ten days, I am pleased to say it was a total success from my point of view.  Next year should be even better!

The first weekend of the Gettysburg Fringe Festival, at least from my standpoint, was a great success.  My book signings went well, and I was able to meet many nice folks and chat about the Crimean War, the Civil War, Lincoln’s personal security, and many other topics.  I also saw the Quantico Marine Band, and especially the Dixieland Ensemble.  I knew many of the Marine musicians from when they came to our Marine Corps Historical Company program at Harpers Ferry last October.  We also managed to grab a few beers together at the Garryowen Irish Pub later Friday night.

Dixieland! What a treat.

One of the most interesting book signings was at the David Wills House on the square in Gettysburg.  This is, of course, where Lincoln stayed while he was in town, and figures prominently in my novel, The Gettysburg Conspiracy.  It’s almost mystical being surrounded by the floors, stairs, windows, furnishings, and bedroom where Lincoln resided, and is reported to have worked on the final draft of his famous address.

I’m still trying to get a complete handle on the Twitter, Facebook, Facepage thing, but I’m learning more every day, and my new iPhone is now a permanent part of my anatomy.  I am even contemplating buying the new iPhone 4G – better battery and camera among other things. I tried this past weekend to use social media to let folks know where I was signing books and try to get them to come down and chat.  Believe it or not, it worked.  Several of those I spoke to said they saw my facebook or twitter updates and knew where to come to talk history … so we did!

Five Guys - Five Gettysburg Area Artists Exhibiting

John Paul Strain painting, with gallery owner, Paul Selmer, looking on. An amazing artist

Signing books surrounded by wonderful Civil War art at Paul Selmer's Gettysburg Frame Shop and Gallery

Paul's dog watching the counter while Paul is away

Signing at the American History Bookstore. A store filled with historical books. Don't let the outside fool you - they have a large and complete inventory from Regimentals to an in-depth Lincoln selection.

National Museum of the Marine Corps - Quantico, VA

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) has been open for some time, but the initial exhibits focused on World War II to Vietnam.  Last night the Museum and the Marine Heritage Foundation hosted a black tie reception to open the doors to the next phase of the museum exhibits, expanding on the history of the Corps from its birth in 1775 through World War I.

Three new galleries will open to the public next week, encompassing around 12,000 square feet of new exhibit space, including 250 new Marine artifacts. The new galleries include the founding of the Corps, the Civil War, global trade expansion in the 19th century, and World War I.  There is also a spectacular exhibit on John Phillip Sousa, and the President’s Own Marine Corps Band.

Several of our US Marine Corps Historical Company interpreters assisted in the black tie opening reception in uniforms representing earlier periods in the history of the Corps.

The new displays and exhibits are incredible. Whether your a Marine, a Corpsman, a military historian, or just a good old American, I urge you to take a trip to Quantico to see them – even if you’ve already been to the museum before these exhibits opened.  It is well worth the journey – Semper Fi!

US Marine Corps Historical Company Uniform Pageant Program

Long View of the NMMC (Literally located off I-95, Triangle, VA

The Lockwood's Amazing Home

During my stay in the UK I had occasion to spend a delightful day and night with friends, in Tisbury, Peter and Liz Lockwood.  Peter had invited me to give a talk to the Civil War Roundtable – UK, in London.  He was then gracious enough to invite me to stay at their lovely home the day and night before the talk.  They are a wonderful host and hostess, and Liz whips up a mean curry.

As you can see from the photographs, their home is what we in America believe English country living is all about.  This may be one of my favorite places on earth, and my only regret was that my lovely wife Rosemary was not with me to enjoy its quiet splendor.

The next day I had the honor of presenting a talk to the aforementioned United Kingdom Civil War Round Table in London at the Civil Service Club.  Allow me to clarify – this is the American Civil War, not the English Civil War, and these folks know their stuff.  My talk was on the impact of the Crimean War on the American Civil War.  I was quite pleased that several folks (friends indeed) who had been with me at the Crimean War Research Society meeting the previous week, came into London to hear my talk, but thus the pressure was certainly on.

Not only was my audience filled with Civil War historians, but Crimean War historians as well.  I managed not to get hauled of the stage in disgrace, but it was a challenge.  I had some of the best and most provocative questions I’ve ever received in talks about the American Civil War – even to Americans.

Following the talk we relaxed over coffee, then an intense question/answer period, followed at their request by my telling a few rather humorous behind-the-scene stories about the “making of the movie Gettysburg,” based on my rather tiny part in that production.  They seemed most interested and we had a few laughs.

It was a great experience.  I made new friends, and, of course, afterward it involved more than a few pints in the Civil Service Club Bar, while we fought both of our wars – Crimean and Civil – once again.  As in most wars, nobody really won

The Lockwood Home

Notice the superb thatched roof.

Just a frontal view of their garden. It doesn't do it justice.

Pints after talk at Civil Service Club

CWRS Annual General Meeting

Among the signings and talks while in the UK, there were a few events which were spectacular stand-outs.  First was the Crimean War Research Society (CWRS) Annual Meeting in Gillingham, near Chatham.  I was able to mix with many old and dear friends, and make new ones as well.  The meeting lasted several days, filled with interesting talks, excursions, and, of course, the odd pint or ten.

The most outstanding excursion was to the Chatham Dockyard, where they made the boats which took on the Spanish Armada in 1588, Nelson’s HMS Victory, and continued to build warships until its closure in 1984.  The dockyard’s 100 buildings were mostly built before 1855, placing it squarely within the Crimean War period we were all interested in.

It is now the home of a wonderful maritime museum.  There is a Ropery building (telling how seafaring ropes were made in the 19^th century), and a huge lifeboat collection.  There are numerous other interesting sights and ships – an 1878 sloop, HMS Gannet, the classic Victorian “gunboat,” a submarine, HMS Ocelot, built in 1964, and a 1944 Destroyer, HMS Cavalier.

We also took a voyage on the paddle steamer, the Kingswear Castle, up the River Medway, where we could see old wooden sailing ships still in use by fishermen, and gaze on the castles and defenses along the shore dating back to the 12^th century.

Chatham Dockyards

HMS Gannet 1878

HMS Ocelot

HMS Cavalier

Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle - River Medway

Castle along the River Medway

Fishing Vessel - Still in use.

Hush-Hush Royal Marine Training Area ... Say no more! Say no more!