The "Off Season"

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Corps;

I had not realized that it had been so long since my last communique`. I will endeavor to post a comment on a monthly basis.

Although we are currently in our "off season", the Corps Staff has been very busy working on a variety of issues on behalf of the Corps. Since the Corps meeting, the Staff (along with the artillery Staff) has been working with other organizations within the Blue-Gray Alliance to come to an acceptable compromise concerning a safety regulation known as "the three-minute rule". I am confident that a compromise has been achieved. I would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to all who worked diligently to achieve a workable agreement for the benefit of not only the Blue-Gray Alliance, but for the re-enacting community as a whole.

The Staff has been working diligently with Tim Greene and the Endview Plantation Staff in preparation for our event there in a few short weeks. As you know, we will be presenting the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Big Bethel. Additional earthworks and redoubts have already been constructed in preparation for the event. Tony Daniels is scheduled to be the Federal commander with support from the USV and other Federal units. There is still time to register.

The cavalry Staff has been working within the cavalry community in support of General Ken Wilts as he organizes a new cavalry organization. Brigadier General Sheppard and his Staff have been working within the cavalry community to establish a working relationship with other organizations as we enter the 150th Anniversary events.

I want to thank each and every one who took the opportunity to answer the call concerning the April events in Gettysburg. The Staff received responses from a great number of units and with your cooperation were able to provide a report to the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee.

Work continues in preparation for the Spotsylvania event in May. We will soon have a walk-thru scheduled with the Federal command to fine-tune the scenarios and camping grounds. Again Tony Daniels and his Staff will command the Union side. There will be trenches, fortifications, and artillery lunettes constructed here as well. Saturday's battle will feature a Wilderness type tactical engagement in a wooded area.

You can help with the preparation of events by registering as soon as possible. The Staff depends on your commitments to prepare for sufficient camping grounds as well as the formation of battalions and the selection of battalion commanders in sufficient time for the commanders to organize their respective Staffs.

The Insurance Committee has been hard at work in searching for the best possible coverage for the best possible price to satisfy the needs of the Corps. A special called Corps Meeting will be convened at Spotsylvania to discuss the findings.

These are but just some of the things that are being worked on at this time. There are other irons in the fire as well. There is the organizational planning under way on Gettysburg, Manassas, and Cedar Creek. There is also on-going communication with our Western comrades in the planning of the 150th Anniversary battles of the Western Theater.

As you can see, the Staff has been extremely busy during the "off season". I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the Corps Staff, Brigadier General McCann and his Staff, and Brigadier General Sheppard and his Staff for their diligent work in making Longstreet's Corps the best!

As you take the field this season, take a moment to extend a well deserved "thanks" to the members of the Corps Staff, the Artillery Staff, and the Cavalry Staff for their "off season" work that makes your campaign season possible. I look forward to seeing you in the field at Endview and until then, I remain


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