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.

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.

John Brown - Patriot or Terrorist?

This year our largest combined program was a two-weekend, back-to-back set of events at Harpers Ferry.  The first weekend was supporting the annual commemoration at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of the famous John Brown Raid in mid-October 1859.  We presented “At All Times Ready,” the Brown Raid “through the eyes of a Marine,” several times each day.

In this presentation we walk the audience, usually over a hundred visitors, through the raid.  We explain what led to the Marines being called out from Washington, what they faced on arrival, the Marine assault on the engine house (Perhaps the first hostage rescue operation-and a complete success), the capture of Brown, freeing of the hostages, and the aftermath.  We use Park volunteers in period dress, and even some of the unsuspecting audience, as hostages, and some of our friends from “Sykes Regulars,” who volunteer in the Park, as the raiders.  The Marines, of course, are portrayed by Marines.

The audience is left to decide for themselves if John Brown is a “patriot,” in the anti-slavery movement, or, regardless of his motives, and based on his raid, his kidnapping of citizens, and the murdering of innocent civilians – a “domestic terrorist.”  I think you can guess where the Marines might fall on this issue.

The following weekend at the Park was dedicated solely to the US Marine Corps, in memory of Private Luke Quinn, the Marine who was killed during the raid.  After a year of planning, with the US Marine Corps, the USMCHC, and the Harpers Ferry NHP entering into a mutually supportive partnership, this full weekend program was brought together.

The Quantico Marine Band. They are in MarPat utilities because it rained most of the weekend.

We brought in around thirty active duty Marines, who we kitted as 1859 Marines, or who were in modern uniforms at our extensive display of the history of Marine weaponry, uniforms, and equipment.  These Marines augmented our own USMCHC staff.  We also brought in the Quantico Marine Band.  The displays and band were set up in a large NHP tent behind the famous engine house where the raid took place.

Talks were given visitors at the Marine Corps historical displays, the amazing Quantico Band played concerts, and the 1859 Marines presented “At All Times Ready,” at various times throughout the weekend.

The program culminated in a parade by the band and the 1859 Marines, followed by a moving commemoration and wreath dedication to Private Luke Quinn.  The Park Superintendent, Rebecca Harriett, and Dennis Frye, Chief of Interpretation and Education, spoke to introduce Lieutenant General G.R. Christmas, the keynote speaker, who gave a moving address to the crowd of hundreds present.

Wreath for Pvt Luke Quinn - Active duty SSgt Shane Lisowski, left, and MGySgt William Browne, Drum Major, President's Own Marine Band, right. SSgt Lisowski is wearing the 1859 Dress Blue uniform, and MGySgt Browne is wearing modern Dress Blues for the ceremony.

As an interesting high note: Present as a guest of the USMCHC during both these weekends was the Drum Major of the President’s Own Marine Band, Master Gunnery Sergeant William L. Browne.  In accordance with his wishes, he was dressed as a Sergeant of 1859 for most of the proceedings.  His reason was simple.  He was commemorating Sergeant John Roach.  Sergeant Roach, although appointed as the Drum Major of the Marine Band, volunteered to accompany the Marines sent to Harpers Ferry, and is reported to have been one of the Marines who hauled John Brown out of the engine house as a prisoner.  Hence in our presentations, MGySgt Browne filled the role of his predecessor, John Roach.

USMCHC's unbelievably efficient support team - They made it all work

USMCHC 1859 Marines on parade

USMCHC 1859 Marines marching

Sketch of Marines assaulting engine house - Harpers Ferry 1859

USMCHC walking the visitors through the assault on the engine house step-by-step

Park volunteers portraying Browne’s Raiders