Ladies and Gentlemen of the Corps;



As I set to share a word with you, many thoughts pass through my mind - thoughts of the past as well as thoughts of the future. Where have we been? Where are we going? What does the future hold for the Corps? And finally, where does the Corps want to go?

General Hillsman and the early founders of Longstreet's Corps set the mark for what the Corps should be and what it stands for - a family oriented community where re-enactors could experience the Civil War soldiers' life in the field while giving Honor to their ancestors and sharing those experiences with their families. General Hillsman had a way of making the common soldier want to present the best possible impression - and he did! That is what set Longstreet's Corps apart; we could talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk.

General Maupin inherited a Corps that was on the threshold of embracing the future of the re-enacting world. Greater emphasis began to be placed on the "big" events by the event organizers. This began a change in the way the re-enacting world operated. During this time, the Corps experienced some "growing pains" and was made stronger for the efforts.

We have reached another crossroads in the existence of the Corps - where do we want to go from here? Whatever we find the answer to this question to be, I believe first and foremost that we must hold to the vision of the earliest days of the Corps. Without that, we are not the Corps. I also believe that, as your Corps commander, any and all decisions concerning the Corps should be based on what is in the best interest for the Corps. Not all decisions are going to be easy or popular - I know from experience. Anybody can make decisions based on pleasing people, but that is not the basis an effective leader employs when keeping with the best interests of the whole.

Any organization is only as strong as its people who share in the vision of the organization. For the organization to flourish, its people need to support that organization and at times, put the needs of the organization above their own. I would challenge each of you in the days to come to, as I continuously challenge myself, to do our part in supporting the Corps as a whole.

Who knows what the future may hold for the Corps, but let us all work together to ensure that the Corps will be in a position to lead into the future and not follow - let us work together to ensure that the future of the Corps will be for the better of the Corps while on our watch. I remain,


Your Most Humble Servant,
Maj. Gen'l. D. H. Cornett
Longstreet's Corps